Gloria nibbled on a biscuit, crumbs dropping with each bite. “We could hike a mountain.”
“We could...but I’d have to buy new boots,” Matty joked. “We could go into town again, if you fancy it?”
Gloria huffed.
“You don’t like that idea?”
“It’s not that. I don’t like the wheelchair,” she admitted. “Although Sloan’s face when she saw us... That was funny.”
“You know she hates it when you call her Joan?”
Gloria shrugged.
“When she starts listening to me, I’ll listen to her.” She picked up another biscuit and took a bite.
Matty watched Gloria, something finally clicking into place.
“What about a mobility scooter?”
Gloria’s eyes lit up. Properly.
Chapter twenty-three
Sloan was late.
“I’m so sorry. Traffic was backed up—a broken-down bus on Jarmin Street. I had to loop around via Woodington,” she said, slipping off her jacket and kicking off her heels. She poked her head into the lounge. Her mother’s chair was empty.
“In the kitchen!” Matty called.
Sloan changed direction, still talking as the aroma of garlic and tomato hit her nose. “It was absolutely solid out—” She came to a full halt.
Her mother was in the kitchen, at the stove, stirring a pot.
“We’re making pasta. Nothing exciting, but Mrs S fancied it, didn’t you, Mrs S?” Matty said.
Gloria rolled her eyes. When she was done stirring, she sat back down on the chair Matty had placed nearby for her to rest.
“I did the chopping. Her Ladyship supervised.” Matty winked as she tidied up the chopping board and peelings.
“Someone needs to instruct you. Otherwise, God only knows what slop you’d create,” Gloria said.
Matty grinned. “Fair point, Mrs S.”
Sloan ran a finger over her brow and blinked, as though the scene might change if she looked again.
“So…bus broke down?” Matty said, not giving her a chance to overthink it.
“Yes. Blocked Jarmin Street and then that backed up all the way to the high street. The only way out was to go the long way and head towards Woodington.”
“Well, you’re here now, but I’m betting that bus has delayed mine as well.” Matty pressed her lips together. “Looks like it’s the long skate for me.”
“I thought you always skated home?”
“I do.” Matty grinned. “Not going home straight away, though... I’ve got plans.”
Sloan felt the words hit like a steam train. “Oh, that’s...”
“I’m kidding.” Matty laughed. “I usually go to the roller rink and meet some friends for a bit of roller derby.”
