“So, how are you going to do this?”
“No idea,” Rosa admitted. “I mean, there are a few evenings a week we can see each other when Imogen is busy, but it will be fleeting. She can’t stay over. We can’t be seen out together.”
“Well, consider me your wing woman. Anything you need me to do, to give you both an opportunity to work this out, I’m all for it.” She raised her glass and grinned, and Rosa tinked hers against it.
Chapter thirty-eight
When Tanya left, Rosa set about unpacking. Everything that needed a wash, she piled in front of the machine.
“Imogen?” she called up the stairs.
It took a moment before she heard the music turn off and a loud, “Yeah?” shouted back at her.
“Do you need anything washed for school on Monday?”
“Don’t think so.” The voice wasn’t so loud now, as her daughter’s face appeared over the banister. “You did everything before we left. Uniform, football kit…”
“Oh, yes, of course I did.” Rosa smiled up at her. “Are you bringing that bowl down?”
Imogen rolled her eyes. “Yesss,” she said, dragging it out as if she’d been nagged.
“Good, and then do you want to watch a film with me?”
“Can do.”
“Okay, bring down the bowl and I’ll set us up some snacks and drinks. You can choose what we watch.”
“Deal.” Imogen grinned and skipped back to her room, but she was down the stairs again before Rosa had even opened the fridge. “There, never let it be said that a dirty bowl stays in my room longer than needed,” she declared, putting it in the sink.
Rosa raised a brow at her, and she quickly turned back to it and yanked the tap on. “Thank you.”
“I don’t know why we can’t have a dishwasher like normal people,” Imogen complained.
“But I have you.” Rosa chuckled and closed the fridge, remembering they had no actual food unless ketchup counted.
“Not forever,” Imogen threw back. “And then what will you do?”
“Probably afford to eat out more.”
Imogen finished washing the bowl and spoon, rinsing and placing them both on the drainer. “I’m serious, though, Mum. Two years and I’ll be heading to uni. Who’s going to watch movies with you and do the washing-up?”
“You don’t need to worry about me, Immy.”
“But I do. I don’t want you to get old and be alone.”
Rosa paused from rummaging in the cupboard. “I’m not alone. I have you, wherever you live. There’s the phone and visiting. I’ve got Tan, and lots of friends.”
“But don’t you want to be in love again?”
An image of Billy came into Rosa’s mind. Her lips almost gave her away when they curved upwards. “I’ve got a lot of love in my life, and if one day someone special comes along, I promise I will not ignore the opportunity.”
“Good, because I really do not like it that you and Billy are both single. You’re both too awesome to not be totally loved by someone just as amazing.”
Rosa stepped forward and kissed Imogen on the side of the head. “This is how I know I’ve done a good enough job raising you.”
“You did more than that, Mum. You’re my Ride or Die, remember?”
“Always.”
