‘I know, son. Anything else on your mind?’ she’d asked and he could see she was fishing. Sometimes he thought she knew him better than he knew himself. But the only other thing on his mind wasn’t up for discussion. Not yet. Not until he’d worked it out for himself. And not until he’d spoken to the person that it affected most. Not until he’d seen Tress.
‘No, Ma, I think two major incidents are enough for one day.’
He knew she didn’t believe him, but he also knew she’d wait until he was ready to tell her what was going on.
Now that he’d brought his mum up to date, it was time to do something about it.
‘I’m going to shoot off. I want to pop in and see Tress before it’s too late. Just check in on her, make sure she’s still okay.’
‘Give her my love and can you take that gift over there for Buddy. It’ll save me lugging it along to the party on Sunday. I was going to pop it round earlier, but Keli…’ She paused and he detected a hesitation, before she came back with, ‘Keli and I got carried away chatting and I didn’t get a chance.’
He laughed when he saw the present – long, with a succession of bumps along the top. The wrapping game from the women in Buddy’s life had been a vibe today. ‘That’s either a train, a caterpillar or a set of speed bumps.’
‘Busted. I heard Nancy and Val were going for the nature theme, so I joined in. That child is going to grow up to be David Attenborough.’
Noah gave her another hug, then, caterpillar under his arm, headed out to the car. It was a five-minute, two-street journey toTress’s house, but he sat outside for a few minutes, his internal monologue arguing with itself.
What was he doing? What was he thinking? There was no way that he was feeling the things that he thought he was feeling. It was just the emotion of the day. The pain of the memories. The uncertainty of the future. It would all subside after today was over and they could put the first anniversary of the accident behind them. It had to. Because what if he said or did something that destroyed Tress’s trust in their friendship? He couldn’t bear that. He couldn’t live with himself if he caused her a single second of pain or anxiety after all she’d already been through. No. He definitely couldn’t. This wasn’t the right time. The realisation he’d had as he sat in that park today could just stay locked in his head for now, maybe forever. And also, it was fricking freezing, so unless he wanted to die of hypothermia and add to the long list of reasons that today would always be significant, then he’d better get inside.
He let himself in as always, and heard noises coming from the lounge – heavy breathing that definitely didn’t sound like it was a situation that would welcome a spectator. Oh shit. What the hell was going on? If he went in there and Tress was with Rex, then…
Another sound. Music? Then a gunshot.
Noah pushed open the door and there they were…
Nancy and Val, side by side on the couch, cocktails in hand watching a steamy sex scene onOutlander.
Nancy jumped first. ‘Jesus Christ, Noah Clark, you could have given me a heart attack there.’
‘Especially when this lot have already got her pulse going like a train,’ Val quipped, gesturing to the screen.
‘She’s right,’ Nancy conceded. ‘What I wouldn’t give for those men in kilts to storm my fortress…’
The two of them dissolved into gales of laughter that were totally infectious.
Noah plonked himself down on the couch next to a chuckling Nancy, who reluctantly paused the show so that they could give him their attention. Or maybe so that they didn’t miss any of the raunchy bits.
Val regained her composure first. ‘This is why I came round here. Our Michael was over watching the footie with his dad, so I could stay there and watch twenty-two men chasing a ball or come here and watch this. Nancy Jenkins, don’t you dare make a filthy innuendo about men and balls. You’re better than that.’
Nancy mimicked locking her lips and throwing away the key.
‘Anyway, Noah, Michael said they’re meeting for five-a-sides on Thursday night and they need you.’ Michael was Val’s son, and now that Don was in the late stages of Alzheimer’s, he spent a few nights a week with his dad.
‘Tell him I’ll be there. Is Tress upstairs?’ he asked, assuming they’d come round to keep her company.
The two women glanced at each other, and something passed between them, before they both, like synchronised swimmers, turned to face him again.
‘Did you not get her message?’ Nancy asked. ‘Or the photos I sent you?’
‘No, I… Shit.’ He fished into his pocket and pulled out his phone, seeing now that it was still on the home screen that required a password before it kicked into action. He’d charged it at his mum’s house, but he’d left there in such a hurry to come here that he hadn’t even looked at it.
He did now. The instant he put the password in, it sprang to life, in a succession of beeps. He immediately zeroed in on the notification that said, ‘Voicemail: Tress Walker.’
He clicked on it to listen.
‘Hey, Noah, it’s me. Just checking in with you to see how your day is going and how your chat with Anya went. Maybe you’re still having it. Anyway, everything is fine here. Don’t worry about calling me back, because I know you’re going to your mum’s for dinner. Oh, and that advice you gave me earlier? I took it. I’m going out with Rex tonight. Only mildly terrified. Actually, that’s a lie. Definitely majorly terrified. I’ll buzz you later, but if you need me, just call. Love you.’
Every pore in his skin prickled into a goosebump and his gut received a boot that almost doubled him over. ‘She’s out on a date? With Rex?’
