‘Of course not,’ Nicola says. ‘You’ve got to do what you can.’
‘Maybe you can get Cara back in,’ I suggest.
‘Maybe,’ Mel says. ‘Cara and her hooting laugh.’
‘And her takeaway coffees.’ Nicola stares off into the distance, wistfully.
‘Is that a hint?’ I ask.
‘No, no, no,’ she replies with a grin. ‘But if you’re passing Starbucks, make mine a skinny latte.’
The day goes by slowly because I’m desperate to get home and play with my new toy. I read the manual on the ferry journey to Manly, but I’m too nervous to actually take a shot in case I drop the damn thing.
Richard is already home when I get there. I’m disappointed because I’d like to practise in peace. It’s an awful thought to have because we haven’t spent any quality time together since he got back from his surfing trip. I don’t know why. Or maybe I do. Maybe it’s because I’m trying to prepare myself for the absence of him in my life. I push open the door and see him lying on the sofa watching television, and sadness washes over me. It’s such a comforting sight. It’s what I’m used to.
‘Hey,’ he says, reaching out for me.
I drop my bags and go around to him, suddenly wanting to be in his arms. I squeeze myself onto the sofa and lay my head on his chest. A split second later I’m fighting back tears. I shut my eyes tightly and force back the sensation.
‘This is nice,’ he murmurs into my hair. ‘I feel like I haven’t seen you properly for ages.’
‘I know what you mean,’ I reply. ‘My family will be gone soon and you’ll have me all to yourself again.’
He chuckles and pulls me up to face him. ‘No disrespect to any of them, but that will be nice.’ He leans forward to peck me on the lips. ‘When are they back from the mountains?’
‘Tomorrow.’
‘Any plans yet for tomorrow night?’
‘Probably dinner with them after work if you fancy traipsing into the city. But we’ll need to see them Friday because it’s their last night, so you could wait until then if you prefer.’
‘I might do that.’ I rest my head back down on his chest. He lightly runs his fingers over my back. ‘What do you want to eat tonight?’
‘I think there’s some of that curry I made a few weeks ago in the freezer.’
‘That’d be good.’ He detaches himself from me and gets up from the sofa. I follow him into the open-plan kitchen area and get on with the process of defrosting our dinner in the microwave before hoisting myself up onto the countertop. Richard puts on the rice and comes over to me, standing between my legs and planting a kiss on my lips. ‘What do you want to drink?’
‘Cider?’
‘Sure.’ He gets to it, pouring cider into two glasses filled with ice and handing one over. My dad told me loads of people drink cider on ice in England now. And to think I thought it would never happen . . .
‘Cheers,’ I say, chinking his glass. ‘Hey, the Editor ofMarblesmagazine asked me to cover for his editorial assistant next week.’
‘That’s cool,’ he says, looking impressed. ‘I keep meaning to ask if you get paid extra for it?’
‘No, it’s the same day rate. But speaking of money . . .’ I jump down from the counter. ‘I bought something today.’
‘Did you? What?’
I retrieve the plastic bag from the hall. ‘This.’ I smile sheepishly as I pull out the camera box.
‘A camera?’ He’s taken aback. ‘How much did it cost?’
My smile flatlines. ‘I put it on my credit card.’
He reaches into the bag and pulls out a receipt. ‘Jesus, Lily!’ he exclaims.
‘What?’ I’m starting to feel a little sick.
