All I Want For Valentines by Clare Lydon

Author:Clare Lydon [Lydon, Clare]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2016-01-27T23:06:37+00:00

Chapter Nine

The next morning, things had calmed down somewhat. The flat and all in it were in a state of clean — even Gertie the giraffe was looking fresh after taking a spin in the washing machine. Elsie was breakfasted and had so far held it down, and Holly was reading her a story on the sofa. She was the epitome of a good, modern child. Holly knew the truth, but she forgave her anyway.

“What time is your dad picking her up?” Tori asked, walking into the kitchen area and putting the kettle on. Their flat favoured open-plan living, with the kitchen, lounge and dining room all in one. Then she checked on Petula, wiping down her leaves as Sarah had instructed over dinner. Sarah wasn’t to know her daughter would puke all over them, but Petula was fighting fit this morning, unbowed by yesterday’s onslaught.

Holly looked up from the story to answer. “Around 1pm. He’s going to take her in to see Sarah for a bit, then go home. Why?”

“Just wondering. Thought we might go to the pub for Sunday lunch, dissect our weekend.”

Holly winced, her jaw creaking as she did. “Nice idea, but I can’t.”

Tori frowned. “You’re not working again, are you?” She stared at a train as it passed the window.

Holly gave her a weak smile. “I have to, babe. I’ve got some reports due in tomorrow, unfortunately. I didn’t have time to do them on Friday.” She’d much rather spend Sunday down the pub with Tori, but she had to do this. “I’ll make it up to you later, promise.”

“Horse, Lolly!” Elsie said, whacking an image of a horse in the face.

“It is a horse, you’re so clever!” Holly said, glancing over at Tori once again and mouthing sorry to her.

In response, Tori rolled her eyes, before walking over to the just-boiled kettle. “I assume you want one?”

Holly nodded at her. “Please.”

Tori took the tea over to the sofa and plonked it down in front of Holly, who shifted Elsie onto one knee almost immediately and took a sip. Holly liked her tea blisteringly hot. She let out a contented sigh, then took another sip before putting the cup down.

“You know, that’s another plus point of getting together with your best friend: you both know exactly how the other takes their tea. I love you, have I told you that this morning?” Holly had some work to do to get back into Tori’s good books, so she might as well start right away.

“Love you!” repeated Elsie, smacking Holly in the face with her tiny hand.

Holly gave Elsie a squeeze in response and kissed her cheek. Elsie smelt delicious, all childlike and innocent. “Love you too, you little monkey,” Holly said, kissing the top of Elsie’s head for good measure. “Are you looking forward to seeing your mummy and daddy today?”

Elsie kicked the back of her heels into Holly’s knees, and Holly sucked in a breath. Nobody told her having children would be so physically damaging.

“Mummy!” Elsie said.

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