I turn off the playlist and wander over. Mum sits on another sofa and kicks off her high heels.
‘Ooof, that’s better,’ she says, sinking into the seat. ‘What shall we do with him? Shall we tuck him in? Leave him to sleep?’
‘Yeah, why not?’ I say, taking a seat next to Mum. I put my head on her shoulder, content that the party went so well, but now ready for bed. And at the back of my mind is that niggling feeling about offending Ollie.
‘What do we think? Tired or boozed up?’ She nods in Ben’s direction.
‘Probably a bit of both?’
‘I thought as much. I think it’s very admirable, Princess, that you want to remain friends with him.’
‘Thanks. I think.’
‘I’m pleased you got out when you did.’
I’m not sure how to reply to this, so I don’t. I just give Mum’s leg a squeeze and watch Ben’s chest rise and fall as he slumbers on.
‘I did love him,’ I confide in a whisper as I don’t want him to hear, although Ben does look like he’s out for the count. ‘I still do. But not – you know …’
‘I know, darling. I’m glad. Plenty more fish.’
I nod, against her shoulder. Ollie said the same thing.
‘But not Toby, though, Princess,’ Mum forges on. ‘Because you know he’s—’
‘Yes, Mum. I know.’
‘All right then, love. I’ll go and grab Ben a blanket. Be right back.’
Mum gets up and goes to the utility room to fetch a blanket I didn’t even know we owned. She gives me a kiss on the cheek, tells me to leave the mess and we can deal with it in the morning. Then she goes to bed and I hear her quietly close the door to her bedroom and en suite. I’ll bet she sleeps well, after running around serving drinks all night. I’m pleased she got time to chat with people too and to make new friends with some of the people in our block.
I jump suddenly as my phone rings on the kitchen counter. I stand up to get it, running across the artisan-tiled floor quickly, so that I can stop the noise from waking Ben and Mum, although I suspect she’s diligently removing her smoky eye make-up rather than simply collapsing into bed, which is what I’d intended to do.
It’s Ollie on the phone, so I swipe quickly. ‘Hi. You OK?’ I ask, because of the time of night he’s ringing.
‘Yeah. I left something behind.’
‘Oh, right. What is it? I’ll see if I can find it and keep it safe for you.’
‘It’s Ben,’ he says. ‘I left Ben behind. Is he there?’
I laugh. ‘Yes. He’s asleep.’
I hear Ollie sigh with relief. ‘I went home after – you know … Anyway, I went home without Ben. I remembered my dad, though. I can’t believe I left Ben. I was in charge of him.’
‘In charge?’ I question. It’s late. I’m not sure I’m quite comprehending. ‘Well, I can be in charge of Ben for a bit if you like, because he’s sleeping on the sofa.’
‘OK. I can … go, I guess. If you’re sure?’
‘Go? Are you downstairs?’
‘Yeah, the concierge was very particular about not letting me in at this hour, so I’m in the street calling you,’ he tells me.
‘The concierge is very good,’ I say. ‘Keeps the riff-raff out.’
Ollie laughs. ‘Charming!’
‘Want me to buzz you up?’
