‘I love you, Harper Hughes.’
‘Love you, Mumma.’
These were the sweet words she needed to hear right now as this changed world settled around her.
It was nearly midnight and Midge was yet to appear. Remy had sobered as she scrubbed, having spent the latter part of the evening clearing up the kitchen, pulling down the bunting, sweeping the wooden floor, stacking the dishwasher, and washing glasses in the sink. All while Harper read her book on the sofa. The cake she left on the countertop with a knife next to it, should anyone fancy a slice. Cowardly as it was, she was still plucking up the courage to go and face her husband, having fully expected him to appear at some point. Whether they would row, chat or cry, she had no idea, possibly all three, but either way, she was dreading the interaction, unable to get the way he had looked at her out of her mind.
With tiredness now pawing at her muscles and her thoughts a little less than crisp, she knew she couldn’t delay it any longer; it was time for bed and to go and face the man who was everything to her.
‘I’m going up, Harps. Will you be okay?’
‘Yep. I’m not sleepy, just going to sit here and read.’
‘Okay, my darling.’ She peeled the soft blanket from the arm of the sofa and placed it over her daughter’s legs. ‘I love you. I’m so proud of you.’
‘See you in the morning, Mum.’
‘See you in the morning, and don’t bolt the door, Ashleigh has a key.’ She wondered where her sister had got to and checked her phone again. Still no reply to the two texts she’d sent asking where she was and if she was okay.
It was as she held the banister and put her foot on the first stair that she heard the clatter and bang, as Ashleigh more or lessfell through the front door. Her dress had ridden up and her eye make-up was smudged; she was certainly making a good go of ridding herself of that golden girl image.
‘What the hell!’ Harper’s anxious tone was one of concern, as she jumped up, alerted by the crash.
‘She’s fine!’ Remy smiled, to show there was nothing to worry about, knowing her girl was sensitive to any extreme situation, easily overwhelmed. Rushing towards the front door, her sister lay laughing on the mat, hair falling over her face and with too many buttons of her frock undone, revealing her lacy cupped bra. She was giving off more booze fumes than The Dog and Duck at chucking out time on market day. ‘You’re fine, aren’t you, Ash?’ she asked through gritted teeth, smile fixed.
‘Fine is debatatatable!’ Ashleigh snorted. Harper smiled awkwardly, concerned, on high alert, yet it was undeniably funny to see a sloshed adult on the hall floor.
‘Harps’ – she clapped – ‘why don’t you go and read upstairs? I’ll be up in a bit.’
‘Sure.’
Her daughter had given her a sideways glance, indicating she understood it was not actually a suggestion, but more of an instruction.
‘For God’s sake, get up!’ Remy hissed, watching as her sister managed to haul herself into a crawling position and, on all fours, slowly made her way into the kitchen. She came to rest by the table, slumped against the wall with her legs straight out in front of her. It was then Remy noticed she had one shoe missing.
‘What on earth? Look at you!’ Remy ran her a glass of water, knowing there was little point in getting angry or even expressing an opinion; her sister was too drunk to take anything in.
‘I’ve hadalovelytime.’ She beamed.
‘So I see.’ She handed her the water and decided to make coffee.
‘I’ve got something to ... t’ tell you.’ Ashleigh hiccupped.
‘Is it that you’ve consumed your body weight in wine? Because I hate to be the spoiler, but I already know this.’
‘Funny!’ Her sister pointed at her, before trying to stand on her booze-addled pins, and swaying, resting her hand on the wall to steady herself. ‘It’s a secret that I think might make you mad.’
‘Oh, you know me and secrets.’ Remy felt a headache pulse; this was the worst possible end to the worst evening.
‘You can’t keep them, can you! You toldeveryone!’ Her twin laughed as if this were the funniest thing she’d ever heard.
‘You wanted me to, and I did! So don’t throw it back at me, Ashleigh. You’ve wanted me to come clean for years, and now I have. And thanks for sticking around to help me deal with the aftermath!’
‘Ssssh! You’re very shouty.’ Ashleigh put her finger over her lips and slid back down the wall, landing with a thump in a sitting position.
‘So what’s your secret? Spit it out,’ she snapped, wanting to get the interaction over so she could go upstairs, wanting her sister to sober up enough so she could send her to bed, out of the way.
‘I have been to the pub!’
