He stares up at the ceiling. ‘How well do you know Gemma?’
However difficult Gemma is, I’m going to have to throw something else in here. ‘Fliss’s dad died when she was ten, she hated growing up without him, please don’t do that to Abby. You’re actually really lucky to have the choice here, so don’t throw it away.’
Even after he swallows his voice is still extra gravelly. ‘Thanks, Ivy-star, I know I need to wake up. A whole year on, I still haven’t made it happen.’
I do understand how hard it is but he’s going to have to accept that things have changed forever. ‘I know it’s gutting that you and Abby might never live together full time any more. But you have to find a way to spend time with each other – make new patterns, be sure to spend the holidays together, use Facetime for the bits in between, things like that.’ It’s so tough, but there’s no point him just wishing things are as they were, because they never will be again. ‘You’re the only person who can fight for this, it has to be you. And you need to get on with it, the longer you put it off the harder it will be.’
‘I know you’re right.’ At least he’s nodding. ‘We have arranged things – holidays, weekend visits, trips. But every time something more important has come up, or they’ve been ill. Every time Gemma’s found an excuse to put them off.’
It’s so important, I have to push him. ‘So spring a surprise, it’ll be over before she has time to change her mind. You don’t have to ask for a lot, keep it low key and she’s more likely to agree. Just message or text, and be really clear about what you want – ask for a couple of hours to take Abby out. You’ll feel so much better once you have. It’ll be like a Christmas present for both of you.’ I know if it happens it’ll mean him being away when I don’t have much time left here, but that’s a sacrifice I’ll have to deal with. I can count the days we’ve got left here on one hand now, that’s how fast it’s whizzing by.
‘Great idea, I’ll get onto it now.’
I smile at him and put Merwyn back on the floor. ‘And I’ll go and make some coffee, if you’re hoping for a muffin with yours, don’t leave it too long.’
He’s already opening his laptop. ‘I won’t.’
In fact, the kids take ages to wake, and when they do, they just roll over and go straight into watching CBeebies with Oscar and Harriet and eating a pile of last night’s leftover pizza. Which leaves Merwyn and I sitting together on the kitchen sofa, watching the waves sliding up the beach in the distance as I work my way through the muffin stack single handed. I’m saved from bursting when the latest Waitrose delivery arrives and I head off to the pantry to put away the cratefuls of shopping.
I’m drooling over sides of smoked salmon, hampers of wax covered cheeses, and cartons of thick cream flavoured with brandy as I stack them into the fridge, when Keef arrives.
‘Anything I can help with?’
For someone who rides the wave of life whilst giving absolutely no fucks whatsoever, his forehead has a lot of deep furrows.
He’s tapping his bead braids on his teeth. ‘I don’t know …’
‘Live more, stress less, Keef.’ I can’t believe this is the same laid back, chilled out guy who toldmenot to be uptight not so long ago. ‘What the hell’s the matter?’
He hitches up his harlequin check jogging pants and pulls a face. ‘It’s Miranda, she’s really not happy, but I can’t help without looking like I’ve got an ulterior motive.’
‘And have you?’ Damn, that one was hundred per cent sea glass.
‘What a question, Ivy. I stay fit running away from relationships, my middle name is no-commitment.’
I stare at him. ‘Commitment is an act, not a word, Keef.’ It’s fun seeing how far his eyebrows shoot up as I tease him. Then I take pity. ‘It’s okay, you can care about someone without wanting to get involved. Would you like me to have a word?’
His face relaxes. ‘I’d feel a lot better if I knew she was getting proper support from a good place.’
‘Leave it with me, I’ll have a chat.’ I’m leaning down to pick up a humungous luxury Christmas pudding, tied in authentic muslin when I hear Bill.
‘Dad, what are you doing in here?’
Keef makes a zip sign across his mouth to me, then turns round to Bill. ‘The heating engineer just rang, I came to give Ivy an update.’
Bills eyes are popping. ‘And? I wouldn’t mind knowing too if it’s not too much trouble.’
Keef blinks. ‘Sure, of course. Well the good news is, he’s finally tracked down the boiler part he needs.’ He wiggles his eyebrows at me. ‘It’s good going too, it’s the only one in the country.’
Bill’s nodding. ‘Great, so what’s the hold up?’
‘It’s at a plumbers’ merchants in London, they’re open tomorrow morning, then they’re shut until the New Year. With couriers flat out, it’s going to be touch and go.’
Bill nods. ‘No worries, I’ll pick it up myself, I’ve got to go anyway.’
My heart does a leap. ‘You’ve heard back already?’
There’s no mistaking the shine in his eyes, or the width of his beam as he turns to Keef. ‘With Ivy’s help I’m doing lunch with Abby tomorrow, and we’re hanging out for a couple of hours before, while Gemma packs for the holiday.’
