“Everything’s fine, Martin,” Casey steps in. “Nick’s just surprised to see me.”
“Nick!” Mum appears behind me. “What are you doing, just standing there? Where are your manners? Let them in right now.”
I step aside to let them through the doorway; Casey passes me and goes over to my mother, as Martin approaches me and says, under his breath: “You can close your mouth, now. Or you’ll be drooling all over your mother’s carpet.”
I suddenly close my mouth, realising that it actually was hanging wide open. I’m sure that was a pretty picture.
“Good evening,” Mum says, rushing to greet our guests. “I’m… Oh, Casey!” Her voice shoots up an octave. “What… I can’t believe… It’s so nice to see you!” Mum throws herself at her, squeezing her so hard that she almost can’t breathe.
“So, you already know each other,” Martin adds.
Arsehole.
It pains me to admit it, but Ryan’s right: we have to get rid of Martin.
“Hey, Karen, it’s good to see you again – although I was hoping it would be under different circumstances.” Casey peels herself away from Mum, keeping hold of her hands.
“What are we all doing in the hall?”
Fuck, no.
“Oh, but…but…but…” Ryan can’t quite spit his words out. “What a weird coincidence,” he says.
Unfortunately, he recovered too quickly.
“Hi, Ryan!” Casey greets him. “Wow, it’s been a while…”
“Not that long – I saw you in the hospital the other day. Didn’t I, Nick?”
There we go. Little Ryan is about to crush this dickhead with his pinky finger.
“Well, you could’ve said hi.”
“You were busy saying hi to someone else. I didn’t want to intrude.”
I swear I’m going to cram him into the garage and lock him up there in the dark with Dad’s chainsaw.
“Ryan,” Martin nods.
“Martin,” Ryan replies, through his teeth.
“Nick! Are you stuck over there?” Mum calls me.
I slowly peel away from the front door. “Of course not.”
“What a nice surprise! Casey…you remember her, right?”
“Of course he remembers her,” Ryan adds suggestively, making me choke on my own embarrassment.
“Come in, we’re all through in the living room. I was just putting on some coffee – or I can get you some tea, if you prefer?”
Mum must have realised I was backed into a corner and come to my rescue.
“Coffee would be perfect, Karen. Thanks,” Martin says.
“Would you like some too, dear?” She turns to Casey.
“Sure, why not. Thank you.”
