She laughed and ruffled his hair. “Go get your trainers on. I’ll ask Rowan if he minds.”
“I don’t mind.” It didn’t need a second of consideration. “But just fifteen minutes though.”
He cheered and ran back off, dropping the ball.
“Can I come in?” I didn’t want a neighbour taking a photo and sharing it on social media. Although nothing would give Rhys more pleasure than having me associated with Dee again, she didn’t need the fuckery it would bring.
“Sorry. Sure. I’m just surprised you’re here.” She stepped back to give me space to come through.
The hallway was short, a door coming off it that led to the lounge, an open door to the kitchen, and the stairs leading up from it. It was plainly decorated, not that I knew much about décor and that shit.
Dee shut the front door closed behind me, then slipped past into the kitchen. “You don’t need to take him out to play football – you must have better things to do.”
“Nope. Nothing better.”
She assessed me with a quick look. “Date cancelled?”
“Nope. No date planned. But I could eat a burger though.” I folded my arms, bracing myself for more questions.
“Why are you here, Rowan?”
“Because I wanted to see how you got on. And I have nothing better to do. Where were you going to go for a burger?”
“A place round the corner. It’s just a basic diner that does burgers and tacos, and the biggest milkshakes. Nothing fancy.”
“Do we need to book?”
She laughed and shook her head. “No. You don’t need to come with us.”
“It’s my treat. Let me do that. And I bet you could do with half an hour to yourself?” I remembered how my mother had cherished the time she got alone when I’d been old enough to take my brother and sister out for a bit, just to the park, or we’d gone for dinner at one of her friends.
“I need a shower. And Toby hasn’t wanted to leave me all day. I think he’s worried I’ll disappear like Joanne.”
“Will he be okay with me?”
She nodded. “I think he’ll be too pre-occupied with playing football with you than worrying about where I am. A kick-about in the garden will be enough for him. Unless you want to go to the park across the road.”
I’d noticed it when I pulled up, a green field with a kids’ playground at one side. There’d been a few kids playing out on the swings, and a couple of them kicking about a football.
“I’ll take him there. Do you have a spare key in case you’re still in the shower?” Toby ran back through, trainers on, big loops on the laces.
“There’s one in the kitchen.”
I followed her though into a modern, plain white kitchen. It was tidy and minimal, which was what I’d have guessed if you’d asked me what it would be like. “I need to find a house.”
“Why? Where are you at the moment?”
“In club accommodation. Ryan O’Connell’s just moved in there with me.”
She gave me a key on a Manchester Athletic keyring. “I heard Ryan was living with you. How is he?”
“Weird.”
A small hand tugged at my arm. “Can we go? I’ve got my trainers on!”
I laughed, picking up the football that had been dropped at my feet. “Yeah, let’s go.” I looked at Dee, who was now smiling properly. “Enjoy your shower.”
“Thank you.”
