‘Thanks. Jasper, can you grab the spare duvet from upstairs?’ Cass turned back to me. ‘Are you sure you’re all right sleeping on the sofa?’
‘It’s better than the streets,’ I said, raising a smile. ‘I can’t believe Bertie settled so well after all that’s happened.’
Given how little I knew myself about the situation, I’d kept my explanation to Bertie brief. I’d told him he was taking some time off school (to which he’d cheered), that he was going for a sleepover with his cousins (more cheers), and that his dad had had to go away for a while on business (a shrug of the shoulders).
‘When are you going to tell him everything?’ Cass asked.
‘I don’t know. God knows what Rob’s up to, or where this all leaves us. I should probably speak to Hugo and Marion, find out what they know.’ I shuddered at the thought.
‘Why don’t you leave Bertie here with Jasper tomorrow? He’s got the next four days off and all he has planned is a bit of DIY.’
‘Do you think he’d mind? I could visit Dad too.’
‘You don’t mind watching Bertie tomorrow, do you?’ asked Cass as Jasper walked into the room. ‘Liv needs to see her in-laws then pop in at Dad’s.’
‘No, I’d love a day with the little guy.’
‘Thank you. Thank you both. I don’t know what I’d have done without you.’
‘That’s what family’s for,’ said Cass. She reached down and kissed my cheek. ‘Now, get some sleep. You need all your strength if you’re to get through this shit-storm your husband’s landed you in.’
Chapter Seven
Iscrubbed my eyes with my palm and walked into a scene of chaos in the kitchen.
‘Can you believe it, Mum? Emmy and Jake get coco-pops for breakfast EVERY DAY.’
‘Every day? Wow. Do you guys have any teeth left?’
My nephew opened his mouth wide to show me his chocolate-milk covered teeth. I cupped his chin, peering into his mouth. ‘Oooh, a few wobblers in there.’
Jake’s mouth fell into a grin. ‘Good. More cash from the tooth fairy.’
‘How much does the tooth fairy give you?’ asked Bertie.
‘Pound a tooth,’ said Jake, stuffing more cereal into his mouth.
‘Same. Mum, have you seen Jake and Emmy’s room? It’s all black. It’s waaaay cooler than mine.’
‘I have seen it. I helped paint it.’
‘Can you paint my room black? I want mine just like Jake’s.’
My heart plummeted. Sooner rather than later, I’d have to admit to my son that he no longer had a bedroom of his own, or a house, for that matter. ‘We’ll see.’
Cass rushed into the kitchen, tying her hair up while biting on the toast Jasper held out to her. ‘Emmaline May, go and wash your face.’
‘I’ve already washed my face and cleaned my teeth,’ said Emmy, her lips pouting in defiance.
‘Yes, but then you went and made yourself look like a panda. You need to wash off the eyeliner.’
‘Why?’
‘Why? Because it’s against uniform policy, but more importantly, makes you look like you’ve been punched in the face.’
Emmy pushed back her chair and stomped out of the room.
‘And change your tights for ones with no holes,’ shouted Cass to her daughter’s departing back. Emmy stuck two fingers into the air and Jasper smothered a giggle.
