Page 41 of Crying in the Rain
“Thank God. I’ve been calling you for ages!”
“I was dealing with…something.”
Pip stepped away and eyed him with concern. “Is he here?”
“No, but I’m going to call him and get him to come for his stuff.”
“Ade—”
“I’ve packed it for him and left it in the hall.”
“Ade, you know—”
“I’m done, Pip. I can’t keep going through this.”
Pip’s expression remained unchanged.
“It’s the last time, I swear. Are you free later?”
“Why?” she asked suspiciously. “Do you want me to chair yet another reconciliation?”
Ade delayed answering. For as much as this was his fight and he didn’t want to embroil her in it, he thought he might need a witness.
“I’m doing this for real, Pip. It’s over.”
She sighed and kept shifting her eyes between him and the building, her expression doubtful, and who could blame her?
“What do you need me to do? Supervise and make sure he doesn’t take anything he shouldn’t?”
“No. I need you to supervise me. Make sure I don’t fall for his bullshit again.”
Pip nodded solemnly, and Ade hugged her.
“Thank you. For everything,” he said sincerely.
“Don’t,” she croaked. “Or I’ll cry.” Too late.
Ade held her tightly, gulping back his own tears, but they were no longer tears of hopelessness or frustration. They were tears of relief and maybe a little bit of grief.
“You mustn’t let him come back, Ade, you mustn’t. I’m so scared one day he’s going to…”
“I know, I know. Shh.” He stroked her hair, snuffling his nose into it and inhaling a few strands. He snorted them out again, along with some snot. She poked him in the side, feebly indignant, and they both laughed and cried together for a little while longer before setting off, arm in arm, for the radio station.
“Where did you stay last night?” she asked, trying to pass off her nosiness as concern. Ade hummed secretively. Pip gasped. “Were you with him?”
“Who?” Ade asked innocently.
“That guy from Monday morning?”
“Maaaaybe.”
“No way. What’s his name? Is he an actor? What did you do? Did you get up to anything—”
“Kris, yes, went for a meal, and no.”
“Oh.” Pip looked dead ahead, her cherub cheeks colouring up. She peered sideways at Ade and grinned. He was pretty sure they had matching blushes. “Are you seeing him again?” she asked.
“Yes. I think so. I hope so.” He really did. Pip squeezed his arm with hers until he squeaked.
