‘He likesMiss Marpletoo,’ says Bridget.
‘TheBattle of Britainseries is his favourite,’ Eddie retorts. ‘That Marple woman’s always got her nose in other people’s business ...’
Nellie, a carer from Uganda, has arrived and refuses dinner because she is about to feed Dad.
‘You eat,’ she commands the others and even Eddie takes up his fork.
Now Nellie is a woman who’d be able to command armies, I think with a grin.
‘I’m just running upstairs to see if Mum is coming down. She was doing something upstairs, organising, tidying or something,’ I say. I heard her slip upstairs with Scarlett an hour ago when Nellie first got here after a hasty phone call from Mum. I imagine they’ve been talking and I want to see if Scarlett is able to face the family downstairs.
You’re a fabulous liar,says Mildred, as I rush up the stairs.
Why is it, Mildred, I say, that the only time you ever said anything nice to me is when you are encouraging me in badness?
That was acovering-up lie.
‘I’m only putting up with you until I train you to be nice to mefull-time, and stop telling me I’m too fat in certain outfits, or that I’m no good as a chef.
You always look good. Plus women have bellies because that’s where their uteruses live, Mildred said.Basic biology.
At that exact moment, I’m passing the hall mirror. I look at myself and think that a) Mildred has a point and b) I do look good.
Mildred, I don’t know what drugs you’re on, but you’re making great strides with the being kind to me thing. By the time I’ve managed to erase you altogether and replace you with some harmonious angel who only tells me I’m wonderful, I’m going to miss you.
Scarlett and Mum are upstairs sitting in the tiny spare bedroom. Scarlett looks more at peace, but I’m still shocked again at how thin she is. How did this happen so quickly?
‘Come on,’ I say, putting my arm through Scarlett’s. ‘I dithered over an omelette or French toast but went for the toast. We have to fatten you up somehow. You look like you’ve been doing one of those crazy juice and nothing else for five days diets.’
‘Oh, French toast: I love it,’ says Scarlett.
‘Yes, food for the broken hearted,’ I say and instantly want to kick myself.
‘Well, that would be fine,’ says Scarlett with a hint of the old Scarlett in her voice, ‘except I’m not broken hearted. I’m here to help for a couple of days.’
‘Eggs, then,’ I say. I have just the recipe.
Break-Up Scrambled Eggs
Use free range eggs because they have the richest, yellowest yolks and they will give your immune system a boost when you need it. A broken heart has many physical manifestations – this is notpseudo-science: it’s real. And we’ve all been there! So go free range for this.
A good quality wholewheat toast is a must, too. Forget about giving up gluten for this meal – unless you are acard-carrying coeliac or happen to be on the gluten intolerance spectrum. We all try so hard to do the right thing that we forget to feed our bodies the right way. Stick your wholewheat toast under the grill, whisk the eggs, add a hint of milk – I like a smidge of grated parmesan but that’s just me – a pinch of salt and pepper and stir into a heated pan already hot with a smearing of butter all over the bottom.
Keep stirring. It’s simple, rhythmic, comforting.
Think of nothing but this. Stirring. Making these eggs beautiful. From a happy hen straight to you.
Once the eggs are in delicate lumps but still have a sheen upon them, take them off the heat. They’ll cook in the pan for another minute while you butter your toast.
Pile on and feed your soul. Right now, be your own best friend.
19
If you put everyone’s problems into a bowl, you’d probably take yours out again because everyone suffers
This time when I wake in the middle of the night, I feel utterly awake. And hungry. I have again fought through the Zimovane to have only four hours’ sleep, so I think that tonight, I will try half a tablet.
I fear this concept because I’ve looked up the whole withdrawal from sleeping tablets thing and I could turn into a raving lunatic (withdrawal may turn you into a werewolf) or else have headaches, nausea, depression and sweats. Not to mention damn all sleep.
