‘What, for the horses?’
Cally chuckled. Larissa clearly assumed Cally was in the same boat as the rest of the Henry-Hicks. ‘No.’ She tapped her laptop. ‘I work online and I regularly do a morning shift, so my body clock wakes up early. I’ve been doing it for years.’
‘I see.’ Larissa lowered her voice and gestured upwards with her left thumb. ‘How were they last night? What a dreadful thing to happen.’
Cally pursed her lips for a second. ‘Not great. Hopefully, they might have got some sleep.’
‘It’s terrible.’
‘I know.’
Larissa shook her head. ‘I don’t think it’s going to be a very pleasant few months for anyone involved.’
Cally nodded. She felt exactly the same way. ‘No, it won’t be. Not at all.’
Afew hours later, Cally sat at the worktop in the kitchen of the London house. She took a sip of her tea, the warmth of the mug nice in her hands. She watched Logan move around the kitchen, his movements mechanical as if he was operating on autopilot. She felt small, insignificant, wary, and not sure what to do or say.
'How are you feeling?' She knew it was a ridiculous question even as she heard the words come out of her mouth.
Logan paused his hand on the kettle. 'I don't know. It still doesn't feel real.' He turned around and leant against the worktop. 'I keep expecting my phone to buzz with some ridiculous meme from Alastair or for him to burst through the door. Do you know what I mean?'
Cally nodded. She knew the feeling exactly – she’d had it with her grandma. When her grandma had passed away, Cally had felt as if she’d actually lost not just someone in her life but a job, too. Which, to be fair, she had. Her whole existence had involved caring. Not just the physical side of it but the full and hefty mental load had always been at the very centre of her life. When it had been removed, that alone had felt like a loss. As if someone had chopped off her arm. 'I can’t say anything other than it’s very hard.’
Logan sighed and ruffled his hair, making it stand up at odd angles. 'The thing is, I can't stop thinking about how much heirritated me at that dinner. What a thing to focus on! I feel so guilty.’ Logan’s voice broke slightly on the last word.
Cally had felt similar things when her mum had died. ‘I know it’s not easy.’
'How is it possible that a funeral is being planned? They were meant to be going around the world…’ Logan trailed off.
Cally put her mug down. She was well aware of the feeling of grief. She also knew that it had to be navigated with care. ‘I wish I could do something to help.’
'You're already doing it by just being here. I’m sorry if I’m miserable.’
‘Don’t be ridiculous! What about Octavia? Has there been any update on her condition? What did your mum say?'
'She's being discharged today, apparently. I can't even imagine what she's going through.'
‘I know.’
Logan watched a couple of pieces of toast pop out of the toaster, buttered them, and pushed a plate in Cally’s direction. Cally pulled the plate towards her. 'I need to let Birdie know I won't be in.'
Logan looked up, frowning slightly. 'God, Cal, I'm so sorry. I didn't even think about your new job.'
Cally shook her head. 'Don't apologise. It’s fine.'
‘What about the customer service stuff?’
‘I’ve covered them all until next week. Maybe this will be the end of it…’
‘Thanks for doing that.’
‘What’s the plan for today?’ Cally was of the opinion that Logan should head back to Lovely, but she intended to keep quiet about what she thought unless she was asked.
‘I don’t think there is one. I don’t know, really.’ Logan gestured around the house. ‘I suppose see what happens. There’s not really a lot I can do here.’
'Why don't we go for a walk?' Cally suggested. 'Get some fresh air before things, well, you know. It might do you good.’
Logan hesitated, then nodded. 'Yeah, I could do with some fresh air.'
