The film was ending, and Imogen was already asleep. These were the moments Rosa cherished. It didn’t matter if Imogen was five years old, sixteen, or thirty-five—any time her daughter fell asleep on her brought a level of peace Rosa had never found anywhere else.
Rosa picked up the remote and switched off the TV.
Imogen mumbled something.
“Sweetheart, it’s time for bed.”
“One more minute,” Imogen said a little more coherently. Rosa chuckled.
Her phone buzzed on the coffee table. Rosa glanced at the clock and smiled. There was only one person who would be messaging now: Billy.
Imogen sat up and stretched. “Is that my phone buzzing?” she asked through a yawn.
“Uh, no, I think it’s mine. Probably Roger,” Rosa replied.
Blinking, Imogen pushed herself up, then leant down and kissed Rosa on the cheek. “I’m gonna go up. I’m shattered.”
“It’s been a long day, and a busy week,” Rosa said, smiling up at her. “I’m glad you had a lovely birthday.”
“Me too. Thank you for coming. It means the world to me to have you and Billy in my life together at times.”
Rosa glanced at her phone as another buzz came through. “Maybe we can try and do more things together?”
“Really?” Imogen’s eyes went wide. “I’d really love that… We’ve got some big matches coming up.”
“I’ll speak to Billy and see what she says.”
“Thanks, Mum.”
“Go on, get to bed. I’ll be up soon too.”
“Okay.” Imogen stopped at the door. “Don’t let Roger get you working on something—you’re not at work till Monday.”
“Yes, you’re right, I won’t.”
She heard Imogen’s footsteps on the stairs, and when the floorboards creaked above her, picked up the phone and read the messages.
Billy: Still awake?
Billy: I’ll be up for another hour. Call me if you see this x
Chapter thirty-nine
Rosa pressed call and almost laughed when the phone was answered in seconds.
“Hey,” Billy said.
“Hi.”
“Good to talk?”
Rosa looked towards the stairs and then got up and gently closed the door. “Yes, she’s just gone up. I think she’s exhausted.”
“Good…I mean, that she’s gone to bed, not—”
Rosa chuckled. “I understood.”
“Phew.” Billy exhaled. “I’d hate for there to be any misunderstandings now, you know?”
