“Who cares about your boss!”
“I do! A bit. For some reason.”
In the next room, they became aware of Tory Tom droning as he changed Rup’s nappy. “And on thatfarmthere was ashark,E-I-E-I-O!”
“Not exactly Nicky Adebayo,” Coralie whispered.
“Not exactly,” Alice agreed.
•••
In the kitchen,after everyone had gone, Adam loaded the dishwasher with mugs and cake plates. “Nicky Adebayo! Even I know him. He won the Mercury Prize. What’s he working on? He wouldn’t say.”
“He’s in a fallow period. Are you starstruck by a nursery dad?”
“No!”
“You and Tom think you’re the famous ones.”
“Tom’s not famous.”
“Okay!”
He opened his arms and she relaxed into him, her forehead on his shoulder.
“Another great weekend being the world’s best parents.” Adam looked over to the play kitchen. Florence appeared to be climbing into the oven. “Floss, Flossie? Stop trying to Sylvia Plath. Did you have the best time ever?”
“Soh,” Flossie said. “Soh-Soh?”
“Zora’s gone to Camden, Cheep-Cheep,” Coralie said. “She’ll be back next weekend.”
“Do you want the park, Wrennie-Wren? Park time?” Florence gave Adam an interested look, or at least didn’t start to cry.
“Did Tom take Rup’s shit out with him,” Coralie murmured, “or did he leave it upstairs?”
“He left it for the shit fairy. That’s me, I suppose. I’ll take it to the park bin.”
“Thank you.” Coralie leaned back into the hug. “It’s nice Tom wants Rup in Flossie’s life, isn’t it? Or is it weird?”
“Nice, I think? He had to pick up Zora anyway. Might as well have some cake.”
“Daniel was on good form, I thought.”
“Very good form,” Adam said. “For a Trot who lives in a squat. A squat Trot. Hang on, who’s texting me? Oh, it’s Sally. What the hell?” He held out his phone.
We’d love to come up one weekend soon so you and Coralie can get away, Sally had written,and we can have some Florence time. Give us a few dates and we’ll make it happen. This is an offer from both of us. Love the GGs.
“Praise be,” Coralie said. “It’s a miracle.”
•••
Soon after,Antoinette announced she was leaving the agency to join Edward Enninful’sVogue. Stefan was appointed the agency’s new creative director. He moved into Antoinette’s old office. Sadly, she took the Tulip table with her.
“I hope you understand, Coralie,” Antoinette said. “And that you’re not too disappointed. A big job like this requires commitment. Commitmentandsacrifice.”
“Cor,” Stefan begged, “please, can nothing change?”
Apart from their long partnership, his title, his salary, and his status?
