‘You sound like Mum.’
‘I’ll take that as a compliment in this instance,’ Remy retorted. ‘You slept with Jamie, Ash. It’s ... I just still don’t know why.’ Remy looked as stunned as she had last night; that much she did remember. ‘He was awful to me, bloody awful, and you know this, and he’s Sophie’s dad, and ...’
‘I don’t know what you want me to say!’ She felt everything had already been said.
‘I don’t either, but I can’t imagine a scenario where I would sleep with Evie’s dad.’ Remy visibly shuddered, as if horrified by the thought. ‘I mean, howwouldyou feel if I shagged Archie? Not that I ever would.’
‘It’s not the same. It’s just not the same!’ Ashleigh did her best to defend the one stupid mistake.
‘Isn’t it?’
‘No! And no matter how much you want to verbally batter me, I can’t change what happened, Remy! And besides, if you wanted to shag Archie, you’d have to fight off the German, and she’s pretty strong. Not sure I’d fancy your chances.’
‘I can’t laugh about it, Ash. It turns my stomach when I think about it. It’s icky.’
‘So don’t think about it.’
‘Now why didn’t I think of that?’ Remy smacked her forehead.
They were quiet for a second, until Ashleigh broke the impasse.
‘I think Evie and me will head home today.’ She spoke as the thought formed, picturing the packing of her case, and wondering how quickly she could get into the car, just wanting to be gone from here, away from her sister.
‘I think that’s probably best.’
It was telling that Remy didn’t try to dissuade her, not at all. If anything, she looked a little relieved. Ashleigh couldn’t believe that the birthday weekend that had started with so much promise, so much fun, could have ended this way. She felt a little bit heartbroken and a whole lot like running away.
Having loaded up the car and buckled up, just before they pulled away she spied Remy through the kitchen window, standing asMidge pulled her close to his chest, enveloping her in his big arms and leaning his chin on the top of her head, about as close as two people could get, as if she was under his skin and inside his bones – yes, exactly like that.
‘Is it true you slept with Sophie’s dad?’
Her young daughter’s words were like punches, and she felt the bruises form in a place deep inside.
‘Yes.’ There was, she figured, no point in denying it when Evie had been present, had probably heard enough to already know it was true.
‘Is that why we’re leaving early?’
‘Yes,’ she whispered, unable to control the emotion and absolute desolation she felt at how it had all turned out, knowing Evie had been having the very best time with her cousin, building bridges.
‘Don’t cry, Mum.’ Her girl reached out and wiped a tear from her cheek.
‘I’m sorry.’
‘I don’t want you to be sad. It doesn’t matter, not really. I was getting bored of playing computer games.’ Evie’s tone, trying so hard to convince her that this might be true, suggested it might actually matter a lot.
‘I am sorry, darling.’ She sniffed, found a smile, and shoved the car into gear. ‘I really am. Let’s go back to the flat and’ – she wiped her eyes – ‘and I’ll cook something.’
‘Oh, I’d love to, Mum, but Leni called and, err, she needs me to babysit. If that’s okay?’
‘Sure.’ Ashleigh indicated and pulled out on to the road with a heart that felt heavy with sadness at the prospect of a lonely night ahead. ‘Of course it’s okay.’
Ashleigh Brett and Remy Hughes
2022
Aged 60
Remy
