“Okay. So...” He was bouncing on the balls of his feet like an excited puppy. “After I left you yesterday, I couldn’t stop thinking about your living situation. I even went online to look for flats near me and your parents, but everything’s so expensive, it’s insane. Honestly, I’m tempted to give up the gardening business and go into property development because—”
“Simon.”
“Sorry. So, I was lying in bed last night, thinking about it, when I had this absolute brain wave.” He paused for dramatic effect. “What if you didn’t have to rent somewhere? What if you could live somewhere for free?”
Libby scrunched up her nose. “What are you talking about?”
“I’m talking about my place, of course! I’ve got a spare room that’s currently sitting completely empty. You and the baby could use that!”
It was so absurd that Libby let out a snort of laughter. “Oh my god, Simon, are you kidding me?”
“What? Why is that such a crazy idea?”
“Because you broke my heart, packed my life belongingsinto bin bags, and then moved your new girlfriend into the house.”
“Well, yeah, but—”
“What happens when you meet someone new? Are you going to move them in with me and the baby too? That would be cozy. Or will you throw me out again?”
“Of course I won’t!” Simon said, his voice full of indignation. “I told you, the Olivia thing was a stupid mistake. I was bored and restless and it was just a fling. I swear, I never felt about her the way I felt about you. Besides, everything changed the moment you told me I was going to be a father.”
“But you don’t seriously think we could live together?”
“Of course we can. This way you don’t have to worry about rent or living in some scummy, damp bedsit, and I can be there for you and the baby. And we’ve got the garden, plus, there are lots of parks and there’s that great nursery up the road.”
Libby took a swig of water. It was true: the house was perfect for a family—that was one of the reasons she’d never pushed for them to move, even though she’d have preferred them to own a property jointly. But moving back in with him, after everything that had happened—surely that was crazy?
“It’s not a good idea, Si. I mean, it might work for the first six months while the baby’s tiny and can sleep in with me. But what happens when it’s a bit older and needs its own room?”
“That’s ages away, Libs. Who knows where we’ll be at by then? I mean, maybe by that point...” He trailed off, and it took Libby a second to work out what he was suggesting.
“No, Simon, we arenotgetting back together. Seriously, after everything you put me through, you think—”
“All right, all right,” Simon interrupted. “Fine, so once the baby is older, you can move out and find somewhere new. But at least for the first year or so you’ll want to be sharing a room with the baby, so why not do it for free at my place? Just think, Libs, I could change nappies, cook for you, do the night feeds so you can get some rest. There’s so much I could do to help.”
“But wouldn’t it be weird, us living under one roof again, in the same house we lived in together as a couple?”
“Maybe it would be a bit odd to begin with, but we’d adjust to it. And pretty soon we’ll be so busy with the baby that we won’t even remember what it was like before.”
Libby’s head was spinning with it all, and she slumped down on a stool by the counter.
“So, what do you think?” Simon said.
“I need time to consider it, Simon. It’s a lot to take in.”
“Of course, of course, I’ll leave you to it. But promise me you’ll consider it properly. I know it might feel weird at first, but the more I’ve thought about it, the more I’m convinced it’s the perfect solution.”
“I’ve said I’ll think about it and I will.”
Libby heard a buzzing sound, and when she looked down, her phone was vibrating on the counter. What if it was Dylan? She quickly snatched it up before Simon could see the screen.
“You need to leave.” Libby stood up, led him down the hallway, and opened the front door. “Good-bye, Simon.”
“Bye, Libs. Oh, this is so exciting.” He leaned forward as if to give her a kiss. Libby quickly moved out of the way, and Simon grinned. “Sorry, old habits!” He gave her a wink and then trotted down the front steps.
Libby closed the door and then fell against it, exhalingslowly. She was still holding her phone, and she looked down at the message on her screen. It was from Dylan.
Really sorry, something’s come up and I can’t meet today. Are you free tomorrow instead? Usual time, usual place? D
