‘I know.’ I managed to smile. ‘I’m happy to be home for a while, too.’
‘For a while?’ she asked, sitting back as the waiter put our food on the table.
‘You know it’s just while Seb’s travelling.’
‘You don’t think he might join you here, once he’s finished?’
I poured us both some tea, trying not to shudder at the very thought. ‘We haven’t really talked about it.’
‘You haven’t discussed any future plans? If you’re getting married it’s important to cover these things.’ She waved a fork bearing a chunk of toast. ‘I’m sure that a wonderful man like Seb understands you’ve got a fantastic career opportunity in Houghton. We could always find work for someone with his experience too. Isaac will be needing a bigger team soon. It would be so lovely, having you both settle here…’
This was exactly the type of conversation that made me let her calls go to answerphone more often than not. I made a mental note to ensure she never got hold of Seb’s contact details. She’d be offering him a job the first chance she got, and then he’d either end up staying away longer to avoid the pressure, or decide it was a great idea, and a few months in Houghton would turn into forever.
‘Are you having second thoughts about him? Is that why you’ve avoided talking about it?’ She screwed up her nose in anticipation of my answer.
It said a lot that she didn’t even question that the man who’d left the country might be having second thoughts about me.
‘It’s not that.’ I sighed. ‘I told you why he’s gone. Badgering him with questions about what happens when he’s back is the last thing he needs. It’s hard enough us being apart without you second-guessing our relationship because we’ve not signed off on a ten-year plan. Not everyone’s like you and Dad.’
‘I know, I’m sorry. We like Seb. He seems good for you.’
‘Good as in he offered me a job and asked me to move in with him?’
Mum raised one eyebrow, but she smiled to soften her words. ‘Good as in, unlike some exes we won’t mention, he doesn’t live like a pig, treat you like a pig or, even better, keep a pig in his bedroom.’ Her smile disappeared. ‘He also doesn’t move into empty properties without the owner’s permission.’
‘I’m glad you like Seb. I like him too. But I took the job on a three-month contract for a reason. We enjoy living in a bigger town, especially on the coast.’
‘I know. I’ll try not to get my hopes up. You know we just want you to be… I won’t say happy. Life has too many ups and downs for that.’ She took a thoughtful sip of tea. ‘We hope that one day, wherever you are, you can be content.’
It took me a few blinks and painful swallows before I could reply. ‘I hope so, too.’
We chatted a bit more about what she and Dad had been up to, and my new job, which of course she knew I’d be brilliant at, before she returned to the previous topic. ‘Anyway, thank goodness Pete got married so you could have his room.’
I nodded. ‘I couldn’t handle sleeping on your sofa. No offence, Mum.’ My parents had sold their three-bedroom terrace to help fund the Barn, and bought a tiny one-bedroom flat with an open plan living area. ‘Although I’m planning on moving out as soon as I’ve saved up enough.’
‘Oh, no. Don’t do that!’ she exclaimed around her final mouthful of egg. ‘Those boys need you!’
I sat back, wondering where on earth this was heading. ‘They might resent that suggestion. And you calling them boys.’
‘When they start acting like men, I’ll stop calling them that.’
‘Is there something I should know? How do they need me? I’m not going to be their stand-in housekeeper just because I’m female.’
Mum squinted out the window for a worryingly long moment. ‘Oh no, it’s nothing like that. They’ve just grown a bit… institutionalised.’
‘What? They aren’t in prison.’
‘I don’t know how else to put it. They spend nearly all their free time together, in that man-cave they call a living room, playing their endless competitions and swapping in-jokes that no one else finds funny. It’s none of my business, but not one has had a serious relationship. Which is fine, of course, if none of them want one.’ She held up her hands as if in surrender. ‘But I’m convinced Isaac has his eye on someone, and Arthur does all the dating apps but it never goes anywhere. Wouldyouwant a date who serves up reheated chicken bites and baked beans before handing you a joystick?’ She shook her head. ‘It’s a slippery slope to a pet pig.’
‘Maybe they need to find girlfriends who like gaming. And chicken.’ I ignored the comment about Isaac’s secret crush. ‘I don’t think you’re giving them much credit, either. Just because that’s what they like to do together, I’m sure they wouldn’t do it on a date. And I don’t see how me living there will make any difference.’
She shrugged. ‘Honestly, Jessie, I think they just need reminding that not everyone – in fact,no oneapart from them – lives or dies by the Chimney Cup. All you need to do is change the subject every now and then, and the consequences could be monumental.’
* * *
Knowing Isaac would be at the wedding until late, I spent the next few hours sorting out my meagre possessions in my bedroom. My heart stuttered inside my chest when someone walked in the kitchen while I was sneaking a sandwich, but it was only Arthur. Although, it had to be said, there was never anonlywhen it came to Arthur Wood.
‘Jessica.’ He offered me his hand, which, after a brief hesitation, I decided would be easier to shake than try to ignore. ‘Making a sandwich I see.’
