“Mum’s asked about you. My dad mentioned it. I think it makes her feel better if she thinks I have a friend out here.”
“Sure. Where shall we do it from?”
“My room? I’d say outside but we’ll struggle to see her with the light.”
We passed the warring couple who couldn’t keep their hands off each other even if they were arguing and headed up the stone steps to our floor, seeing a few members of the crew on the way. Jaime was sat talking to a man I didn’t recognise and looked like she was having a lot of fun; one of the sound guys was asleep and looking sunburned and two of the cameramen were playing cards.
No one blinked as we passed. They’d become used to us being together and no one especially cared anyway. I knew from some of the stories that had been shared that there were hook ups during filming like this – it was difficult to be living in each other’s pockets and there not to be a couple of people who ended up spending more than quality time together.
We settled on Callum’s bed, the sheets unused. His room was tidy, just as I remembered his dorm room being and everywhere he lived after. Callum Callaghan was a neat freak.
“You think Seph’s kept your place tidy?”
He turned his head slowly and looked at me. “It had better be pristine when I get back. Little shit.”
“Poor Seph.” I’d met him a few times while we’d been at university. Seph had stayed with us around his sixteenth birthday and had been adoringly popular with the female population, to the extent that Callum had mentioned to a couple of girls about how old – or young - he actually was.
“Poor Seph. Every non-related female always says ‘poor Seph’. What they don’t realise is that he knows exactly how to play everyone and get his own way.”
“Still. Poor Seph.”
He was trying to stop a smile. “Please don’t say that to him.”
“Can’t promise anything.”
Callum dialled Max, watching the screen of his tablet intently. I knew he’d be studying Marie for a sign that he needed to come home and I understood that. I’d done the same with my mother a couple of days ago. She’d been up and about, cleaning, which meant that her health was good and I could feel less guilt.
“Well look at you!” Marie croaked into the screen. She was propped up by pillows and I could see a couple of lines going into her. Callum’s dad was holding their tablet by the looks of it. “You look like you’ve spent a month on the beach. And look at Wren! You both look amazing.”
Callum laughed. “How many drugs have they given you?”
There was a noise that sounded like a croaky laugh. “A lot.”
I saw the dark shadows under her eyes, the eye lids that were struggling to stay open. Callum was tense next to me and I knew he had seen all of that too.
“How are you feeling? I know it’s a stupid question.” He clutched the tablet.
“Like I’ve been hit by two trucks and three buses, but you know what? In a couple of weeks, I’ll feel better than what I did before. Tell me about Marrakesh. I saw your photos before; you looked beautiful, the pair of you.”
I put my hand on his back, just a light tough, and felt him relax and breathe.
“It’s amazing here. Have you been?” I kept my tone light and happy, figuring that Callum was struggling to come up with words.
The tablet shifted, his father dropping his head to get in view of the camera. I saw an older version of Callum, one with greying hair and wrinkles and a smile that was identical. “We haven’t. Should we?”
“Absolutely. It’s like something out of a book.”
“We saw the pictures of you two in the souks. I haven’t seen Callum look so happy since, well, I’m not sure. I’m glad you’re okay. Looking forward to seeing you both. Make sure you get me a silver teapot.” She was sounding drowsy and I wasn’t surprised.
The tablet shifted again, this time the video focusing on just Grant. “She’s doing really well. Just tired, which is to be expected. You do look well, son.”
I felt him flinch at the wordson.
“Make sure you look after her. Where are you staying?”
“Trust me, Callum, she’s the most precious thing to me along with you kids. I’m staying here until they kick me out then at the hotel opposite.”
I saw the worry and fatigue etched into his face. Whatever Callum thought of his father, he loved his wife. That was obvious.
