‘I’m sorry. I do feel guilty about leaving others to deal with all this.’
‘Youmustn’t,’ says Nora. ‘You’ve got to do what’s right for your family.’
‘I know but—’
The doorbell rings. ‘God, I hope Denise hasn’t changed her mind about the socks,’ I mutter.
But when I stand up and open the door, it is Rose and Angel standing on the step.
‘I . . . I expected you to phone. Come on in,’ I urge them.
‘Has your PTA meeting finished?’ she asks, stepping inside. There’s something about the way she says it that makes my blood vessels contract.
‘Yes, only Jeff and Nora are still here. Do you want a drink?’
‘I think we could both do with one,’ Angel says.
They wander in to join the others as I close the door. By the time I’ve gone through myself, I can already see the concern in Jeff’s eyes.
‘So what happened?’ I ask, bringing over two glasses.
I pour one and hand it to Rose, who takes a sip.
‘Maybe I should’ve bought fizz . . .’ she says, smiling at Angel.
Nora and I exchange a glance. ‘Does that mean—’
‘It’s just a post-viral cough, apparently.’ She shrugs but her voice is trembling with relief. ‘A bit of inflammation, that’s all. The scan was clear. The cancer hasn’t spread. I’m going to be absolutely fine.’
Chapter 59
To-do list
Book afternoon off for school sports day
Dig out summer workwear wardrobe to avoid repeat of cashmere jumper and boots hell on hottest day of the year
Buy sandals for Jacob
Get Leo to measure inside leg to avoid him looking
like Victorian chimney sweep in stupidly short school trousers
