Claire: That’s a point. Could be worth an experiment. How’s it gone so far?
Me: We won’t know. He’s stealing chocolates, yoghurts, biscuits and cake from us instead. Be warned. Lock your fridges. He’s still got keys to every one of your houses.
I adored my youngest son, but I also adored teasing him and he knew that everyone secretly adored him, apart from maybe Max, who adored him in a different way.
Seph: Even Rose thinks it’s unfair. She’s campaigning for me to have chocolate allowed.
Max: Do you think Georgia’s disappointed that you’ve lost your abs? The middle age spread’s hitting you hard.
Seph: I’m thirty-seven. That’s not middle aged.
Me: We had seven children by that age. We felt elderly until you all moved out. Now we have a new lease of life – if you get what I mean. Wink.
Claire: You can use an emoticon for that, Marie. You know, the little faces.
I knew damn well what emoticons were but this was much more fun.
Me: I can use the aubergine one just fine. In fact, your dad says I can use the aubergine one very well.
Seph: Bleach, please.
Claire: No work is going to get done today. They’re all congregating in my office now and Seph is even sat with his arse on my desk which is not making me happy, and they’re all wondering why we’re coming round without grandchildren tomorrow. Which also begs the question of what we’re doing with our own offspring.
Me: We have some news. It isn’t to do with health or anything upsetting, but we know it’s going to unsettle some of you more than others.
Max: Seph, bring tissues for yourself.
Max: The kids can come to ours with a responsible adult. Vic says she’ll do a garden party for them but could she have two or three responsible adults?
Callum: Wren will be there.
Jackson: Van says she’ll be there with wine.
Seph: Georgia says now there’s wine she’ll be there too, but can Rose count as a responsible adult?
Claire: She’s more responsible than Killian. K says he’ll be there, and Nick and Katie want in too.
The organisation continued, along with the sense of pride because our children had somehow managed to turn out as functional human beings, even if they weren’t entirely balanced. I put the messages on mute and debated starting a new book. The latest in a police procedural series I liked had just been published and I was really looking forward to finding out if the two detectives would finally resolve the UST.
My kids would have no idea I knew what that stood for.
Before I could make a decision, my phone rang. My friendly estate agent was breathing rather heavily on the other end.
“Mrs Callaghan, I have an update from the surgeon I mentioned. He wants to view tomorrow virtually and then he’s looking to make an offer, including for some of the furnishings.”
I’d been half expecting this. “Tomorrow morning is fine. I can do the tour with you, if he wants.” Because this house had secret cupboards and a history that deserved to be passed on. There was even a hidden staircase that Max had discovered before promptly falling down it.
“Let me confirm a time. I’m going to suggest eleven our time, if that’s okay. It’ll be six his.” The agent sounded more excited than Seph when he discovered chocolate.
“Fine with me. I’ll get tidying.” Although two people didn’t make much mess in a house this size.
I hung up, looking at Grant who’d been listening to my side of the conversation. “Looks like it’s happening.” Sadness waved over me. “I’ve loved having this house as a home.”
“I’ve said it several times; we don’t have to move.” He stood up, stretching his back.
I shook my head. “It’s time. It’s time for a new era.”
“I don’t disagree. I’m going to watch the boys play rugby tomorrow, so I’ll come back with them. Are we feeding them?”
