Pember moved towards the kitchen table, turning away as he tried to steady the hammering behind his ribs. Soundlessly, he pulled out the chair and lowered himself onto the seat. He’d silently promised Imogen that he’d stay calm, but now he was there and his mum was staring at him, his muscles tensed all at once.
Neither of them spoke, and when the kettle clicked she turned to make the tea. Pember let out a quiet breath, letting his hands ball and un-ball in an attempt to release the pins and needles gathering at his fingertips.
Checking his phone, he saw a text from Blake. ‘I’m almost done, should I get dessert on the way home?’
He glanced up before smiling softly and typing back, ‘Brownies?’
Pember ached to be wrapped in Blake’s arms again. Maybe they could eat the brownies in bed and fall asleep to a shitty movie. Blake replied with a thumbs up, followed by a photograph of Oliver and Lucas with their heads buried in a stack of paperwork.
‘They came to ‘help’ but all they’ve done is bicker about the meaning of the word ‘covert’ for the last thirty minutes.’
Pember pressed a hand to his mouth, trying not to chuckle. ‘I hope you’re supplying them with plenty of tea and biscuits?’
Three dots appeared on the screen, followed by another photograph.
‘Babysitting.’
It was a photograph of Mina on Blake’s knee, a teething toy rammed into her mouth and a damp patch covering his trousers. Alfie was sitting cross-legged on the floor next to Lucas, trying to figure out a jigsaw puzzle.
Pember’s mouth twitched when he noticed Chichi in the background, writingForensic Strategyin blue pen across a whiteboard. Warmth bloomed in his chest and he covered a smile.
‘What a cute family photo :-P’
“Why’re you smiling?” his mum snapped, and Pember flinched when he realised she’d already placed both mugs on the table and sat down. “Have you… have you met someone, Pember?”
He thought about saying, “Yes! Yes, I have. Someone I chose!”But he didn’t. Instead, he reached across the table, took the mug by the handle and pressed it between his palms. It burned, but at least it distracted from the roiling in his gut.
“Pember,”she repeated, rapping her knuckles against the table. “I asked if you’ve met someone?”
Sniffing, he took a sip of scalding hot tea and levelled his eyes at her. “None of your business.”
Her face suddenly lifted, a flash of surprise in her eyes. Standing abruptly, she moved around the table and tugged his arm. “Really, baby? Who is he? Tell me everything. When can I meet him?”
Her eyes were doe-like, but calculated, an expression that made him feel absolutely sick.
“Mum—” he said, yanking his arm free.
“What’s he like? Have you told him about me? Does he want to meet?”
Pember planted his feet on the floor and shoved his chair back with a scrape. In one fluid movement he ducked around her and moved to the sink.
Bracing both hands on the countertop, he said, “Why did you do it?”
When she didn’t answer, he slowly turned to look at her.
“Why did you disrespect Imogen like that?”
She scoffed, the softness in her expression rapidly receding. “Why did you disrespectmelike that? Haven’t I given you everything?”
Swallowing, Pember grit his teeth. “Honestly? The only thing you’ve given me in the last eighteen months is a reason to leave.”
Her eyebrows flew up, and if she’d have made a move towards him in that moment he’d have left without a second glance.
Instead, she dropped her head and shook it. “You were such a good baby,” she muttered. “I really don’t know where things went wrong.”
Running his tongue over his teeth, Pember tried to swallow the laugh that was bubbling in his throat. “Of course I was,” he said, tipping his head to the side. “Because I didn’t have a mind of my own.”
She rolled her eyes. “Not this again. All I ever wanted was?—”
