‘Fuck off and stub your toe.’
‘Ha. I wish.’
‘Och, sorry, Dave. I?—’
‘Jesus, keep your knickers on. I heard you brought company. Where’s she?’
‘Shower. Be nice.’
‘Always. I might be younger than you, but I’m the clever and charming one, remember? You’re the brawn, I’m the brains.’ He snatches his grabber from the back of his chair, snaps a mug off the shelf with precision, and places it on the table.
‘Sorry again,’ I mutter.
‘Fuck’s sake. Stop apologising. I’ve got working parts, you know? I’ve got a girlfriend coming round later who likes them. From where I sit, I’m winning. See what I did there?’
I groan. ‘Too much information.’
‘Get over it.’ He grabs a piece of toast from the rack. ‘So, is she fit?’
‘David!’ Mum warns from the sink.
‘What? It’s a valid question. Scottie’s brought a bird home. That’s never happened before.’
‘She’s sound,’ I say. ‘And she’s not a bird. Don’t be such a dick.’
Footsteps thunder down the stairs. Erin bursts in, seventeen and made entirely of elbows and hormones.
Mum doesn’t even look over her shoulder. ‘Morning, blessed fruit of my loins.’
‘Ew, Mum! Minging. Where’s the guest?’ Erin looks up from her phone for once.
‘Upstairs in Katie’s room.’ I plate the toast. ‘Give her some space.’
A shadow shifts across the hallway floor. I turn to the doorway. Ava stands there in one of my old hoodies – a faded grey thing that swamps her – and leggings. Her hair is damp, pulled back into the usual bun that highlights the delicate lines of her face. She’s clutching the coffee mug with both hands.
I move, physically blocking the line of sight. I’m ready to be the shield intercepting the questions and the noise and the overwhelming chaos of a Kerr family breakfast. Even now, in my mother’s kitchen, my body’s primed to take the hits for her.
Mum turns. ‘Ava, love. There’s bacon going if you’re still hungry. So nice to meet you properly. I hope you slept well in our Katie’s room.’
Ava leans in and gives my mother a hug. ‘Thanks for everything. That roll was my salvation.’
Mum pats her back, completely won over. ‘Nae bother, darlin’.’
‘And I’m Erin,’ my sister proclaims.
Ava manages a tired smile. ‘Nice to meet you, Erin.’
David pulls out a chair for Ava.
‘Cheers,’ she says, arching an eyebrow at him as she sits down. ‘Chivalry isn’t dead after all.’
‘Naw, but it skipped him.’ He nods towards me and extends his hand to her. ‘I’m David. The one with the superior parking permit.’
She shakes it. ‘Ava. The one with the superior balance.’
‘Is that right? Don’t tell me you’re one of those annoying yoga people?’
‘No. Ballet and carrying the weight of my own bad decisions, mostly.’
