Mum gives a strange half-laugh, half-sob that sounds like a hiccup. She leans over and grabs my hand, squeezing tight. “Thank you, love. She’ll want to kick your arse for making a fuss, but she’ll be happy to have you there.”
I hate seeing Mum emotional like this. She’s had a permanent quiver on her lip ever since Gran told us about her health.
Jenna swirls the milk in her bowl, staring at the whirlpool. “You’re going by yourself?” she asks, but there’s a wobble now, like she’s picturing the house without me. I resist the urge to ruffle her hair and make some stupid joke.
Even though I’ve not lived here for years, I’m always popping over. Sometimes it’s like things haven’t changedsince high school, except me and Jenna are even tighter as sisters. She’s heading to college in a few weeks, and I thought I’d be the one getting all emotional. Seems she’s just as worried about being away from me and the family.
“Yeah,” I nod, “unless you want to come and do all my commissions for me.” I try a smile, but it’s pathetic, even by my standards.
Dad finally sits across from me, his knees knocking the table so my tea ripples dangerously close to the rim. “You’ll call every day?”
“I’ll call. And I’ll FaceTime. And I’ll send pictures, if Gran will let me.”
Mum releases my hand, only to clasp both hands together and press them to her lips. “What about Sloane?”
“She already knows. She’s okay with it. She’ll be fine.”
Jenna snorts. “She’ll turn into a hermit,” she says, but it’s affectionate.
Dad drums his fingers on the table, slow and deliberate. “And your commissions?” he says, with that edge that means he’s thought of a million logistical problems and he’s just picking his favourite to start the interrogation.
“I’m well ahead and I’ll hijack Gran’s studio if I need to keep painting. It’s just for a few weeks, maybe a littlelonger. I want to be there for her, and let’s be honest, we’ll all feel better if we know what’s going on, because if we leave it up to Gran she’ll only share certain details.”
Mum sniffs and swipes a hand under her eye. “When do you plan on travelling?”
I glance down at my phone, where the British Airways app is already open to a blinking countdown. “Three days. My flight’s booked.”
“Look after yourself, kiddo,” Dad says. “Seriously, if you need us there, just call.”
“Will do,” I say, and I actually mean it.
Mum stands, wipes her palms on her jeans, and pulls me into a hug that’s tighter than any hug I’ve gotten since I was a kid. Her chin presses into my shoulder, and I feel her breath hitch against my collarbone. “You’re a good kid,” she whispers, then lets me go so fast I nearly fall off my chair.
Jenna hops down from the stool and immediately steals my tea, taking a slurp before wrinkling her nose. “Too strong,” she declares, then sets it back in front of me. I fail to point out she’s still got a bucket of coffee in front of her and spreading her germs on my mug is totally unnecessary. Then again, she is my little sister. It’s her job to do gross shit like that, even if we are “adults.”
I raise the mug in her direction and say, “To Gran,” which earns a small chuckle.
Well, that’s that then. England, here I come.
By the time I get to Benny’s, the sun’s already warm and I’m regretting my hoodie. I’m not late but everyone’s here already, squeezed into our usual booth. The smell of Benny’s signature veggie burger has me practically salivating.
Bella’s hot-pink Doc Martens dangle off the edge of her chair, boots not even close to touching the floor, and she’s got her phone balanced on her knee, thumb flicking through something violently. I just fucking love how intense that girl is all the time.
Becca’s next to her in a flowery dress that screams femme. They are chalk and cheese, but they work so well. I notice how Becca unconsciously places a calming hand on Bella’s arm when Bella huffs or growls at something on her phone. They’re just tuned in to each other. Everyone bangs on about me and Sloane being made for each other, but I’d say Bella and Becca are in the exact same boat. They’ve stuckwith each other through thick and thin, and hell if I’m not envious of that.
Across from them is Pia, who is polishing off a pile of sweet potato fries like it’s the first time she’s tried them. It’s not, but my mum will have been plying her with veggies not fried in oil. The others haven’t ordered yet, but I’m guessing no one wanted to get in the way of Pia and her first plate of greasy food she’s had in weeks. Meena is strapped to her chest, sleeping. She kind of reminds me of a burrito, but smellier and louder in every way.
Todd is wedged into the corner, smiling way too big for this time of day, which leads me to believe it’s fatigue-induced hysteria and not actual happiness to be here. The man looks to have aged ten years in the few weeks his daughter has been on earth.
Sloane, dressed in her new uniform, looks gorgeous. She offers me a brilliant smile as I approach.
I sit next to her, and we share a tender kiss while everyone decides what food to order. It will be the same order we’ve been getting for the past eight years, but if they want to go through the same rigmarole every time we come here, then who am I to complain?
“This is all very cloak and dagger, E,” Bella finally says after choosing her usual food order as predicted andtucking her phone away. “Are you pregnant? On the run from the law?”
I want to make a joke about Sloane trying to get me pregnant but don’t. I just want to get this over with.
“Neither,” I say, laughing. Picking up a stray fry from Pia’s plate, I mock gasp when she slaps my hand, but not hard enough to bruise. “I have an announcement.”
