“Why don’t we park your car up and you come home with me?”
Billy turned to look at her quickly. “Really?”
Rosa shrugged. “Why not? Imogen is out all night, and I’ve got some chicken in the fridge that I don’t want to go to waste. I was planning on making a casserole.”
“I think I’d enjoy a casserole at Casa Cafferty.”
Chapter fifty
Rosa got out of the car and watched as her ex-wife—and now lover—followed suit. They crossed the road together, not quite hand in hand, but their little fingers brushed against each other.
At the door, Rosa found the key and opened it, laughing as Billy pressed up against her.
“Will you behave?” Rosa giggled but tilted her neck to allow soft lips more access.
“Can’t…it’s not possible when I’m around you.”
The door opened and they nearly fell across the threshold. Billy caught Rosa and spun her around, finding her lips with a kiss as the door closed behind them.
“Mum, is that you?”
The kissing stopped. Both sets of eyes went wide. “Imogen is here,” Rosa hissed, as though Billy hadn’t heard her. “Yes, it’s me, what are you doing here?” she said, answering Imogen.
Rosa pushed Billy down the hall and into the kitchen, closing the door just as Imogen began to bound down the stairs.
“I forgot I needed my football boots.” She grinned, knowing she’d surprised her mum by being home. “Georgia dropped me off. She’s just headed to the cash and carry and she’ll pick me up on the way back.”
“Oh, great. How was your first day?”
“Was good. Cup of tea?” Imogen said, stepping off the bottom step and turning towards the kitchen.
“No,” Rosa said, just a tad too loudly and firmly. “I mean, I’ll make it, you’ve been at work all day.”
“I didn’t really do much. Lots of washing-up and cleaning tables, but I earned some tips. Georgia puts it all in a jar on the side and then we all split them evenly.”
“That’s a fair idea.”
Imogen nodded as Rosa guided her into the lounge. “You have a seat and I’ll make us a brew and then you can tell me all about it.”
She waited until Imogen was settled on the couch before she slipped into the kitchen and silently pushed Billy back out into the hall. At the foot of the stairs, she whispered, “Go up to my room and wait there. And don’t walk about, the floorboards creak.”
Billy chuckled. “This is like when your mum almost caught us.”
“Not funny, Billy. Go.” She shooed her up the stairs.
By the time she’d made two mugs of tea, Rosa had composed herself.
“So,” she said brightly as she pushed the door open and smiled at Imogen, “tell me all about it.”
“Well…” Imogen reached out and took the offered mug. “It’s busy and hard work, but we get lots of breaks and Georgia insisted we have breakfast and lunch…and she said there’s a discount if you and Billy want to grab lunch in there.” She blew across the top of the mug to cool the tea. “Which reminds me…Pippa said she saw you and Billy at lunch the other day.”
Rosa froze.
“I mean, was that because of what I said?” Imogen asked. “Did you need to talk it out with her because I upset you?”
The truthful answer was yes, she had needed to talk about it, but that was only part of it, and Rosa was not ready to share anything further.
“I just felt that it was something she should be aware of and it was easier to meet for a coffee than talk about it on the phone.”
