My phone beeped while I was digging out the mugs and the milk. It was Red.
Are you home?
I quickly texted back.
Yes. Would you like to come round?
‘My headache’s gone, Mammy,’said Michael.
‘Has it?’ I said, automatically, just as Lucy said, ‘That’s good news, Michael.’
And then I realised that I was released by the horror of being called Mammy by someone who wasn’t my child. Every cloud…
*
The ring of the doorbell, gave me an excuse to leave the kitchen for a moment. Would Red have come so soon? Would he mind walking into a family drama? It was Red. We stood therefor a moment, smiling.
What a sight for sore eyes. Red looking beyond handsome, hair pushed to one side, his sleeves rolled up. For a moment, I didn’t move, didn’t know what to say. I was just so pleased and relieved to see him and wanted to put my arms around him and take a moment to remember what he felt like, to feel the heat of his body.
We stood there, looking at each other.
‘Welcome tothe house of fun,’ I said.
He laughed. ‘Shall I go and leave you all to it?’
‘No. No, don’t go. It feels right, somehow.’
‘Listen,’ he said, eventually. ‘I just wanted to say, I’m still your friend. Always was, always will be. And I’m sorry for acting like a drama queen.’
‘Drama king,’ I corrected him.
‘Dramaking. How’s Rosie?’
‘A little bit dazed,’ I said. ‘But not doing too badly. Takingit in her stride.’
‘And you? Are you okay?’
I nodded. ‘Never better. It’s like everything is the way it should be. Michael with Lucy. I’m glad for them. And they’re here,’ I nodded to the kitchen. ‘They are in the kitchen with Rosie.’
‘And you’re not angry with him?’
I shook my head. ‘Not at all. I don’t even think I should be,’ I said. ‘I’m almost excited. Life just got interesting again.’
He smiled at me. ‘And there was I thinking that I could swing in, my sword out and beat up paparazzi… or husbands…’
‘I didn’t know you were into physical violence,’ I said. ‘I thought you were a pacifist. I can see I’m going to have to change my good opinion of you.’
‘Well, when I say beating up, I mean a bit of teeth baring or even a shaken fist.’ He looked at me, one eyebrow raised, an amusedexpression on his face.
I love you Red Power, I thought, a huge smile spread on my face.
Behind me, in the hall, Rosie ran upstairs. ‘Hi Red,’ she said. And she gave me a special smile of encouragement and support, a quick nod, which gave me a lump in my throat. ‘Everything all right?’ I said to her.
‘It can’t get any worse,’ she said. ‘I’m going with the flow. Nobody’s died.’ She grinned.‘Yet. I’m going upstairs to phone Alice.’
‘You know something, Red,’ I said, refocussing, once I heard Rosie’s bedroom door close. ‘I’m quite impressed. I didn’t think Michael had it in him. Adultery! And I thought he was a man who thought a sex scandal was only if you removed your vest and socks during sex.’
Red laughed.
