Aiden exhaled. ‘That’s part of the problem. I think she’s struggling a little at the minute.’
‘In what way?’ Elle asked cautiously.
‘I think it’s down to moving back in with her parents. Don’t get me wrong, David and Barbara are worth their weight in gold, especially with Theo – we couldn’t manage without them – but I don’t have to live with them, and I suppose once you’ve had your own space, it’s difficult to live by someone else’s rules again and…’
‘And what?’
‘And she’s been hinting that maybe we should give it another go for Theo’s sake.’
‘How do you feel about that?’
‘It wasn’t working, otherwise we wouldn’t have made the decision to separate in the first place. At the moment, I think she’s experiencing a whole range of emotions. Theo is happy and settled, and I help out as best I can. Sometimes it’s lonely for me at night having no one else around, but although I’m very fond of Louisa, it’s better this way, and in time it will get easier for both of us.’
‘You have to do what’s right for you and Theo.’
He nodded. ‘I know, but I worry that if I started dating so soon, Louisa wouldn’t cope.’ For a moment, his eyes flitted back to Pippa.
Elle touched his arm affectionately. ‘What will be will be.’
He smiled at her warmly. ‘Thanks for listening, Elle.’
‘Anytime,’ she replied, grabbing the small ladder and walking towards a group of students who she’d spotted were having difficulty reaching a book.
How lovely was Aiden? It must be difficult for him too, Elle realised. He’d also experienced massive changes in his life, and to go from seeing your son all the time to just snatching every moment possible with him … it had to be heart-wrenching. In the short term, he was sacrificing his own happiness to ensure Louisa had a chance of becoming happy once more.
* * *
The morning flew by and at lunchtime Elle was perched on a stool in the staffroom, tucking into a cheese and pickle sandwich as she watched the drizzle run down the windowpane. At the moment, all it seemed to do was rain, and she couldn’t wait for the summer months to be upon them once more. Just like her morning routine, Elle’s lunchtime routine prioritised checking her emails. Every time she saw a new message arrive her heart began to race but none of them were from the Salvation Army.
‘That’s a huge sigh,’ Pippa said, smiling as she entered the staffroom. Reaching for the radio on the worktop, she cranked up the volume. ‘I love this band!’ she declared, dancing around the table towards the fridge. After grabbing her lunch, she jigged her way back towards the radio and turned the volume down.
Elle looked at her with amusement.
‘Chocolate?’ Pippa asked, sliding a bar towards her.
‘You know I’m trying to lose a little weight for the summer.’
Pippa peered out the window. ‘I shouldn’t worry. With British summertime being what it is, it’ll probably just continue to chuck it down.’
‘Oh sod it, you’re right.’ Elle changed her mind, pulling open the wrapper.
‘So come on, what’s up with you? Don’t think I’ve not noticed.’
‘Noticed what?’ asked Elle, breaking off another slab of chocolate.
‘That since your birthday you seem distracted. I often catch you lost in your own world, and as soon at that machine pings out there with a new email you’re the first to check what it is.’
‘I always check the emails.’
‘Mmm, but it’s never been first priority. I’m just saying, if there is something bothering you, you can talk to me, you know.’
‘I know,’ Elle pondered whether to share with Pippa why she was checking the emails at every opportunity but was there a point talking about an email that might never arrive? ‘How cute was Theo this morning?’ she asked, deliberately changing the subject.
‘He’s a gorgeous little boy, isn’t he?’
‘You seem to have taken to him.’
‘You know, he clung on to my leg all the way through that session and Aiden had to pry him off me when it was time for him to go home.’
