I shoot him a look, “We drove here Jackson. A two hour walk for a daily hot chocolate would be ridiculous.”
“You don’t want to move over here?” he asks, grasping my hand in mine.
I snort. “How am I going to afford a flat in Richmond? The rent here alone is more than my entire salary.” Plus, when the baby gets here, any left over cash will be spent on her.
My mother’s jibe rings in my ear. It was already a push to rent a one bed on one salary in the city, so I don’t know what I’m going to do when I have to factor in childcare costs. That’s not to mention if my job will even still exist when I return from maternity leave. I’ve already started meeting with Kathleen and the production team for the short film, but even with the extra hours, the pay will barely cover one month’s rent.
I could leave the city, move out into a cheaper area, but then I’d have to quit my job or find a new one. And the opportunities outside London in the film industry are limited. I could get a job doing something else. Admin or cleaning or baking, maybe. Though how would I look after the baby if I’m waking up at five am to open up a bakery? I’d be late sometimes and the customers would get angry and would stop coming and then the bakery would have to close and?—
“Where’s that head gone?” Jackson asks, after what I realize is a long silence while I worry about the turnover of my imaginary bakery.
I shoot him what I hope is a reassuring smile. “Just thinking.”
“Hold up, is that”—Jackson says, ducking his head and peering through some trees—“Pip?”
I whip my head, expecting to see my glamorous friend strolling across the green but instead I can’t help the laugh that escapes as I come face to face with a parked taxi with Pip Covington’s face plastered to the side of it.
“It is.” I drag Jackson closer. The whole cab is bright lilac, complementing Pip’s purple gown as she holds a bottle ofPoise Perfect. It’s one of those perfume ads that are designed to confuse you and simultaneously arouse you enough to want to buy a scent that you’ve never smelled before. I’m sold.
“Look, we’re matching,” I laugh tugging at my purple sweater. “Can you take a picture of me?”
I hand him my phone and turn, shooting a goofy smile to the camera as I point at the taxi.
“Don’t get my bump in it,” I say through my teeth.
“Looks good, pretty girl.” He shoots me a smile as he hands me back my phone.
I waste no time pulling up Pip’s name.
Me
Look what I found!
It’s surprising how close I’ve become to Danny’s sister and her best friend, Cassie, considering Anya and I used to scream sing Cassandra’s debut album all throughout university and would see Pip plastered on the cover of fashion magazines. But as soon as Anya introduced us after she and Danny finally agreed to make a real go of their relationship, we all just clicked. It’s nice to know I have friends on theother side of the screen, even if they do spend their time jet setting across the world.
Jackson and I walk back to the car as I see the bubbles appear by her name. Anxiety curls in my gut the longer it takes her to reply. Maybe we’re not as close as I thought we were and now she just thinks I’m a weirdo. A minute goes by and I check my phone for the message but nothing has come through. I’m about to put my phone away when the bubbles reappear and a message finally pops up.
Pip
Imagine the poor driver having to drive that around all day
I snicker as I tuck my phone back in my pocket.
“You ready for this?” Jackson asks, taking my hand in his as we heads towards the hospital.
I place a kiss to his knuckles. “I’m ready.”
22
JACKSON
The two flightsof stairs up to Rosie’s apartment feels like two thousand.
I take a deep breath and heave my body up each step, clinging onto the banister like I might fall back down. When I finally drag myself to her front door, I take a second to sag against the frame.
Get it together,I tell myself.
Pushing myself upright, I knock gently on the door and fix what I hope is a pleasant smile on my face.
