We pulled up at the stadium alongside the first coach that had got there, the players disembarking and collecting their luggage. There was a playful atmosphere, and I’d heard a few of my squad arranging to meet up with some of the men’s for drinks or a gig that was coming up. I didn’t look for Rowan, slipping off the coach while he was talking to Matty. He wasn’t what I’d first thought him to be, in fact, he was the opposite and I felt bad for judging. But I didn’t have time to get to know him better.
I found my suitcase, one of the smaller ones on there, and routed round for my house keys to check they were there. I was paranoid about leaving them somewhere. I wanting to get straight to Genny’s to collect Toby, then home. Genny had given me the head’s up that he was asking questions now about where his mum was, and she’d given vague answers about where she was. I’d decided to be clearer and truthful, because I had no idea where this was going to go. Genny had reported Joanne’s disappearance to social care – she’d taken that decision out of my hands – so I fully expected a visit or a call in the next day. Toby needed to understand a little more about his mum and not have me making excuses that were not much more than lies.
“I’d offer a penny for your thoughts, but I don’t carry cash.” Rowan’s voice near my ear made me jump.
“Do I need to put a bell around your neck?”
He grinned. “That’s a new kind of kink.”
I rolled my eyes and shook my head.
“You thinking about your sister?”
I nodded. I remembered telling him yesterday, telling him more than I’d told anyone really, apart from Genny.
“Do you want my opinion, or shall I save it?”
I didn’t want anyone’s opinion, mainly because it wouldn’t be someone telling me what I wanted to hear, which was that she’d come back home and be a changed person. “I’ll listen.”
“Good of you. Your priority is your nephew, not her. She’s an adult; she can take care of herself. You might not want a fight with her, but that doesn’t mean someone else won’t start it on your behalf.” He stretched again and gave me a big smile. “Let me know if there’s anything I can do. Text me if Toby wants a kick-about with someone that’s not you, or needs a bloke around.”
“Won’t you be busy?” I managed not to add what he might be busy with. Or what I thought he might be busy with – a thought I didn’t think was true any more.
Rowan shrugged. “Probably not. Take it easy, Dee. I’ll sort out our dinner dates in the next couple of days.”
“But I’ll have Toby…”
“So we’ll sort a babysitter. Or bring him.” He grabbed his luggage and set off in the direction of Ryan. I figured they’d shared a car.
“We’ll see.” I shook my head. I was pretty sure he’d be distracted by some blonde with big boobs in the next few days.
Genny pinged me a text as Rowan was legging it away to let me know she and Toby were actually at the grounds, so I headed up to her office, where I found my nephew deep in a pile of Lego, constructing something that looked precariously like it was about to fall.
“Thank you, thank you, thank you!” The words poured out as she gave me a big hug.
“It’s been a pleasure. I’d like one of my own, it’s just vetting the person who’d contribute the other fifty percent that’s the issue.” She cast at look at Toby that told me all I needed to know about how much she’d enjoyed having him. “Megs can help out, by the way. I’ve typed up his schedule for this week and next week and emailed it to you.”
Of course she had.
“Thank you.”
“You can stop with the gratitude. We’re good. Just tell me all about Rowan – that photo where you’re looking at each other – holy mother! The chemistry – it’s practically oozing off it!”
She was way too excited.
“There’s nothing to tell. He… he was decent to be on a team with. That’s it.” To be fair, that wasn’t it because he’d looked after me when I was drunk like I hadn’t been in my life before, and Genny would definitely want to know all about that – it just wasn’t a story to tell in front of my nephew.
She eyed me like she didn’t believe a word of it and then looked over at Toby. “Maybe I’ll come over for supper after Toby’s bedtime.”
Toby looked up from his Lego. Up until now, he hadn’t even noticed I was there, which I supposed was a good sign he hadn’t been feeling abandoned.
“Auntie Dee!” He still didn’t get up. But then, if he did, he risked toppling the construction he’d created. “Look what I made!”
“It’s amazing.” It was. Simply the fact it hadn’t yet fallen over was amazing. “How’s your weekend been? And today at holiday club?”
“Good. Fun. Am I staying with you now?” He looked relaxed, completely non-plussed. Probably a bit too used to changing where he slept.
I nodded. “I know you have your new apartment, but we’ll let your mum get that ready for a bit before you move in there now.”
