“What about Mummy?” Tabi says behind me.
I slam my palm against my rapidly beating heart as I spinaround. Rosie’s head is tilted to the side, and a bouncing Tabi pulls on my top.
“Tabi, you scared me.” I lift her with one arm and hold her against my hip. I press a kiss to Rosie’s cheek. A few strands have fallen from Rosie’s bun, and I twist them around my finger.
“What about Rosie eating all the popcorn? Will I get any?” I say with a smile, but my response doesn’t convince my savvy girlfriend. “Connor, I’ve got to go. Promise me you won’t hurt yourself. You’ve got the Austrian Grand Prix next weekend.”
“I’ll be fine. Enjoy the back row.” At his deep laughter, I shake my head.
“Let’s go,” I say before strapping Tabi into her child’s seat, still distracted by Connor’s suggestion about racing in Formula One again.
I hold Rosie’s hand as I search for a parking space outside the cinema. “All good?”
Her smile doesn’t reach her eyes. She’s clever at hiding her thoughts. She’s had practice as an anxious mum raising a child alone while pretending everything is okay.
“Are you boyfriend and girlfriend?” Tabi asks from the backseat.
“Sorry,” I mumble to Rosie. “I shouldn’t have held your hand.”
“It’s okay.” Rosie turns to look at Tabi. “What would you think if I said we were? Because it must be okay with you.”
“I’d be happy. I like Niki. He has Graham. And when Niki reads me bedtime stories, he always puts on funny voices.”
Rosie chuckles. “Is that why you’ve made him do lots of bedtime stories since his first one a month ago?”
“Yep,” she says. “You never do voices.”
Rosie’s laughter makes her eyes sparkle. “Who knew it’d be that easy?”
“It’s Graham she loves. I come along for the ride,” I whisper before saying louder, “Are you looking forward to the cinema, Tabi?”
She folds her arms. “No. But I’ve got my bracelet, and Mummy said if I get scared, we can go.”
“I got you a present that might help,” I say, rifling through my glove compartment and using the move to squeeze Rosie’s knee.
“Maybe you should stay over tonight,” she whispers. It’s the first time she’s asked me to stay. I hold my breath, waiting for a catch, but there’s none.
I clear my throat as she pecks my cheek. “Okay.”
“My present?” Tabi shouts.
“Let’s get you out of the car first,” Rosie says. “We’re running late.”
“You take her, and I’ll find a parking space. I’ll catch up with you.”
Rosie rushes to get Tabi from her seat.
“I’ll meet you outside the screen?” I say through my open window.
Tabi nods slowly, although her lower lip trembles.
“Nugget, shake your bracelet at me,” I request.
The beads clatter as she waggles her wrist.
“We’ve got this, okay, Tabi? We can be scared together.”
I wink at Rosie, whose eyes glisten.
