It must be great being your own boss, they all said. Upside, people make you coffee. Downside, you get to worry about it all on your own. Still, I’d love it.
Never say never. The door opened and a young woman stepped into the café, glancing around before her eyes landed on the man behind the counter. “Hi, is she in? ”
“Good morning.
Sorry, if you’re expecting some amazing rapport… ” He trailed off, then offered, “Do you want me to make you a cup of coffee or something? ”
“Yeah. Don’t make it milky.
It’s not much point if you can’t taste the actual coffee, is it? ”
“By the way… ”
“Do you know what? Not entirely.
”
“There’s this lad called Terry Berry. I kid you not. I know, I know. He lived on the streets.
I’ve been nicking him since he was knee-high to a grasshopper. Anyhow, it turns out young Terry won the lottery. I mean, not the big one, but enough to buy him a house and a car. So, yeah.
”
“You’re joking. ”
“No. ”
“Wow. Miracles really do happen.
”
“Speaking of which—right, I just got a bit of paperwork to do and then I am done. ”
Jodie held up a coffee cup. “Look what came through. ” She paused, grinning.
“It’s my decree absolute. Yes. Hallelujah. ”
“Oh, babes.
Can we please go for a nice big breakfast at Roy’s and celebrate? Go on. I’ll ring up work. I’ll delegate.
Need some time. And we need to make some final plans, don’t we, for our wedding. Hey? Please.
I’ll let you have a proper pudding. ”
“Oh, well. Oh, well. Jodie, that’s all right with you, isn’t it?
”
“Yeah, fine. ”
“Okay. Good. Oh, finally.
You’re allowed to say you don’t like it. ”
“Yeah, I don’t not like it. It’s just no better than the one we’ve got. It’s a bit more expensive, isn’t it?
”
“Okay, fine. ”
“Yeah, I mean, just admit that you don’t like change. ”
“Guilty as charged, but that’s good for you, I guess, isn’t it? ”
“Oi!
I’ve just seen them. ”
“Uh, who? ”
“Will and Megan together in the precinct. ”
“Are you sure?
”
“Yes. You have to come and see. I need you to come and see. I’m not lying.
”
“Yeah, no, of course you’re not lying. Okay, look, maybe we should message them, yeah? ”
“Yeah. Yeah.
I mean, he’s not like her, and why would he be dead to have another family, is he? ”
“Look, love, I’ve already told you he’s waiting for you at the front entrance. Yes, the front. Okay, love.
Honestly, some people. ”
They rushed over to the precinct, scanning the crowds. But by the time they arrived, there was no sign of Will or Megan. Just the usual shoppers and the faint smell of fried food from the burger van.
“Well, to be fair, the bloke she’s found out that his dad’s not his real dad, hasn’t he? But what do you expect, to be over the moon? ”
“She sounds like she was a bit of a girl back in the day, our Maggie. ”
“So, I’m supposed to apologize for me dad, is that it?
”
“Well, I don’t know what he wants to do. He’s your brother. And it’s not like Jim was a saint, is it? There’s probably loads of little Jim McDonalds running around the planet.
”
“Right. Anyone fancy a brew and a bourbon? Come on. ”
Back at the café, the tension lingered.
“What’s getting to you? ”
“Well, anybody think he’s the only one with problems. Only one with real problems. ”
“Hey, I’m not listening to you two going on like a pair of moody schoolboys, right?
We know what’s bothering him. ”
The phone rang. “Alice Street Cars. Yes, of course, love.
Won’t be long. Right, pick up Brosman Street going into town. I’m coming. ”
The driver left, and the others sat in awkward silence.
“I’m in. Done. ”
“Well, not Megan. Hate to tell you this, but Sam just saw Will and Megan in the precinct just now.
I think it’s getting a bit ridiculous now. ”
“We went round before, but they’d gone. ”
“Do you not think he might be mistaken? ”
“Oh, come on, Eva.
Why would he make it up? ”
“What’s going on? ”
“Sam thinks that he might have seen you and Megan earlier. ”
“Where was it, love?
The precinct? ”
“Mate, seriously? So, you weren’t there? ”
“No.
Maybe it was a doppelganger. ”
“I saw them. It was him. ”
“When was this?
”
“About an hour ago. ”
“Well, that’s weird, seeing as I’ve been here all morning. ”
“Well, you could have gone and come back. ”
“The lazy sod has been playing games since breakfast.
Satisfied? ”
“Well, if he was seen, he’s hardly going to say, is he? ”
“Sorry, Will, but—”
“So, you’re saying you had eyes on him this whole time? ”
“Well, obviously I’ve had stuff to do, so not the whole time, but—”
“We’re not in court, are we?
If Will says he was here all morning, he was here all morning. ”
“Right, so Will’s telling the truth, so that means that Sam’s making it up? ”
“Oh, come on, let’s go. ”
“Oh, Eva, come on, you know he’s not the kind of kid to do that.
”
“Am I not? ”
“If it wasn’t for Sam, you wouldn’t even know about Will and Megan. ”
“Well, there’s nothing to know. I’ll tell you what, I’m not listening to this.
All right, let’s go. Sam. ”
Sam stood, hurt and confused, as the group dispersed. Later, Sam found himself talking with someone who understood.
“I mean, let’s face it, none of us has what you’d call an orthodox family. I know. When I gained a sister, I thought that was it. And these job-gaining people…
” He trailed off. “Sorry, ignore me. Now I’ve got a new bunch of cousins, and Eva’s my auntie. ”
“What?
”
“Hey, listen. From one orphan to another. You all right? ”
“I’m fine.
”
“You said yourself, the kid’s a bit of a weirdo. ”
“Well, a bit. ”
“Well, grab us a table, will you? ”
They sat down, and the conversation drifted to lighter things.
“Are you—uh—yeah, time management, ordered ahead. Two sausage and egg baps, a coke, and a coffee. Cheers. ”
“You look nice.
”
“Ah, lunch date. Don’t you know? Way to go. ”
“Lunch with a chum.
Is there anything more life-affirming, discussing the important questions of the day, putting the world to rights? Huh, that’s exactly what we do. Enjoy. ”
“Will do.
You too. ”
“Yo. What’s up, cuz? ”
“What?
”
“Cuz. As in cousins. The offspring of grown-ups who are related. You know, like brother and sister, or in our case, a mother—”
“But we’re not related.
Us? Related? No. No way.
No, not exactly. ”
“I’ve got to go. ”
He stood abruptly, leaving the half-eaten bap on the table. Later, someone else was dealing with family complications.
“Who knew babies needed so much stuff, eh? ”
“How’s it feel to not be the most high-maintenance one in the family? ”
“Hey, we’ve got Betsy, remember? ”
“Oh, yeah, of course.
Jordan, thank you for everything. ”
“Yeah, no problem. Enjoy the rest of your day. ”
“Okay, I’ll pass them over.
I’ll take them up. Thank you. ”
He carried the bags inside, and the door clicked shut behind him. Back at the café, Jodie’s phone buzzed.
“Oh, that’s just me. I’ve sent you some pics of me and Connie in the park. ”
“Oh, let’s have a look. Look at her.
Oh, she’s so cute, isn’t she? ”
“Listen, Jodie, I’m sorry about earlier. You know, right in the head about the coffee. It’d been a rough night, so I—”
“Right, love, I’m going to bed.
Love you. ”
“Love you. Right, I’ll see you later then. Have fun.
”
“Oh, yeah. See you later. Ta. ”
Later that evening, in a quiet corner of a pub, a different conversation was taking place.
“You couldn’t tell me? ”
“Keep your voice down. ”
“Tell you what? ”
“That you and Steve McDonald have the same dad.
”
“Amy said something. I thought he knew. ”
“Yeah, you made me look like an idiot. ”
“No, he didn’t.
Look, I didn’t tell you because—well, I thought you’d enough on your plate right now, son. ”
“What? That’s not your call. You know what?
Amy, you’re a daft—what is my call. ”
“Right, so some guy—”
“No, some guy with a genetic condition has sex with my grandmother. You watch your mouth. ”
“And you don’t think I’ve the right to know?
The guy died. We could die. Unbelievable. ”
“I’m sorry, but it was bound to come out.
”
Later, Steve found him. “Ah. Glad I caught you on your own. Steve, do you mind if we don’t—”
“What?
”
“Listen, mate, we’ll get there. But right now, I just need a bit of time to get my head around things, you know? It’s a lot to take in. ”
“Paint?
Yeah. ”
Later, in a hotel lobby, two women sat at the bar. “I am starving. ”
“Well, Ash is on her way.
Do you fancy a cocktail? ”
“Uh, yeah. Why not? ”
“Okay.
Well, when Nina’s out the loo, I’ll head to the bar, buy us some nibbles, some drinks, just keep us going. What do you fancy? ”
“I don’t know. Pina Colada?
”
“Mhm, that is so you. ”
“Why do I get the feeling that’s not a compliment? ”
“Well, I’m going to have my mum’s favorite, Cosmopolitan. Sex and the City has a lot to answer for.
I’ll be back in a minute. ”
“Summer. Hi. ”
The phone rang at reception.
“Chariot Square Hotel, how can I help you? Yes, no problem. I’ll put you through to housekeeping now. ”
“Hi, Summer.
Are you here for a meal? ”
“Is there something you’re not telling me? About the crash. ”
“Oh, darling, I can’t keep going over this.
”
“What, you don’t think I deserve to know the truth about how Billy died? ”
“You know the truth. And to keep going over and over it isn’t going to make it easier for you or for me. Now, I’m sorry, but if you’ll excuse me.
”
“No, you’re hiding something. ”
“I’ve got nothing else to say. ”
“Was Callum the one driving? He was, wasn’t he?
Debbie, tell me. Please, just go away. ”
“But you’re lying. I know you’re lying.
”
“I’m not lying. ”
“He’s your son. You wanted to protect him. ”
“Hey, what’s going on?
”
“Debbie, if he was the one driving, then he needs to be punished. ”
“Summer, maybe let’s just—”
“Callum was the one driving the car, not her. Debbie, I hate you. When it should have been him, and still you protected him.
Is this true? ”
“Sorry I’m late. Is everything all right? ”
“It was Callum who killed Billy.
”
“No. No, it wasn’t. ”
“Wait, what’s going on? ”
“You see to these.
I’ll take them. Dead’s the hot dead. Drop them. Just drop them.
”
A stack of hot plates crashed to the floor, shattering. “What the hell’s going on? Hey, can you clean this up, please? Debbie, are you okay?
”
“I should have picked it up. Leave it. I’m going to take care of it now. ”
“Oh, he’s whole heart where his mommy is concerned.
”
“Nobody asked you to get involved. ”
“I am involved. ”
At the hospital, Debbie sat in a plastic chair, her hands bandaged. “I should have picked it up.
Leave it. I’m going to take care of it now. ”
“We’ll get these into some cold water. ”
“Uh, yeah, kitchen going out the back door.
”
“I’m taking it to the hospital. I’m calling Ronnie. ”
“No. She’s my mom.
This is my call. Just like you’re involved. ”
“What? I am involved, just like you are.
But Summer, let’s just go. ”
“No, no, no. I know it was you. Do you hear me?
Summer—”
Hard stuff to hear, Ronnie. My grand had dementia. It’s tough when you love someone. Yeah, totally.
Sorry. The news came through later. “Ryan. Oh, woah, woah.
Hold on. How bad? Yeah? Yeah.
All right, thanks. ”
“So, we all right now then? ”
“Yeah, I’m all right now. Now that you’ve bought me a hot pot.
”
“Good, man. Listen, I’m sorry I’ve been going on about Ben and me old man and everything. ”
“Yeah, well, I’m sorry, too, cuz it was a big deal, wasn’t it? ”
“Well, it is, yeah, really.
Anyway, I’ve just had me head full of all that Trisha stuff, you know. ”
A stranger approached their table. “May I join you? No?
Apologies. I couldn’t help but overhear, and Trisha is the lady with him. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Well, it’s good you’re even thinking about her, you know.
I mean, not in a way living here. Past kind of way, if you get my meaning. ”
“Behave. ”
“What were you and Sally pecking me at about?
”
“You about how I was taken advantage of. ”
“Oh, yeah. Do you think you were taken advantage of? ”
“I didn’t.
But when I look at Will and I see that he’s just a kid, I nearly had it out with you yesterday. ”
“What happened? ”
“She wasn’t there. Mind you, I don’t know what I’d say.
I’m 54 years old. ”
“Well, whatever you decide to do, that will be the right decision for you. And as you make it, I’ll be right there behind you. From now on, it’s all about you.
”
“Oh. Admirable. ”
Later, at the flat, there was a knock at the door. “Think there’s any resemblance?
Here we are. Right. You have a seat. There you go.
Come on. Yeah. I’ll put the kettle on, yeah? ”
“Hey, that was funny at the hospital just then.
I was at the front desk giving your details, and they asked what relation I was. Felt weird saying son. Like they were going to call me out or something. But I felt nice and all, being able to say you’re my mum, my next of kin.
”
“Hey. ”
“I know I’ve disappointed you. But you said you want nothing to do with me. But all I want is to be a part of your life.
That’s why I was at the hotel. And just in case you think I’m only after your money, which I wouldn’t blame you—I’m not. I don’t want money. You hear me?
I want you. This. I want us. ”
“What about Summer?
”
“Okay. So, she—um—she knows I was the one driving, but she doesn’t have any proof. I’m going to take care of this, okay? ”
“Debs.
I’ll sort it. ”
A pause. “I got there, and you’d left. ”
“Oh.
Oh, I am sorry. ”
“Don’t be sorry. How you doing? ”
“She’s fine.
Nothing serious. Just superficial burns. ”
“Hey. What happened?
”
“She took two plates without realizing they were still hot. ”
“Hey. Do you need anything else? ”
“No, you’re all right.
I’ve got it from here. Well, the doctor said to keep her hands dry, and the kettle’s just boiled. ”
“I’ll check in with you tomorrow. And in the meantime, no juggling.
”
“Hey. Hey. It’s okay. ”
“I’m so sorry, Emily.
I’m short-staffed. ”
“That’s all right. It’s fine. Do you want to take a seat?
”
“Yeah. ”
The room gathered, and the mood was heavy. “Hello. Our gang’s here.
”
“Can I just suggest that we all try and remain calm? None of us want to see Sam or Will vilified. ”
“She’s right. ”
“Agreed.
”
“Right, well, I suppose we should start with what Will’s been through, how it’s affected him. ”
“All in the past now, thankfully. ”
“Obviously, we all accept that Will’s been abused. ”
“Yeah, of course we do.
”
“Hold on, Sam wouldn’t lie. ”
“Which implies that Will is lying. ”
“Look, he swore blindly that he’s not seen Megan. So why is Sam trying to catch him out?
”
“Sam, is there any possibility that you could have been mistaken about seeing Will with Megan this morning? ”
“Maybe. ”
“Good lad. Yeah, it takes a big person to admit they might have made a mistake.
”
“I’m so sorry for the way that Megan treated you, darling. I know it must have been really scary, and I’m sorry for what you’ve been through. ”
“And I also know that Will wasn’t Megan’s only victim. ”
“Yeah, and now we know that we’ve got an enemy in common, then we can all stop fighting, can’t we?
‘Cause like it or not, we’re family. ”
Later, at home, the bandages were still on. “Now, you look tired. What did the doctor say?
”
“The bandages can come off in a week’s time. ”
“What’s for tea? ”
“Spag bol. ”
“No, I meant about—uh—why you didn’t drop those plates quicker.
You must have felt them burning. ”
“All right. And you called me. ”
“Oh.
”
“He’s worried about you. Now, don’t jump down my throat, but do they think—well, it could be anything to do with your dementia? ”
“Yeah, it’s possible. ”
“So what are they planning on doing about it?
”
“Well, what can they do? It’s bound to happen, isn’t it? These little changes. ”
“Well, they should be getting you in for an MRI.
Check what’s going on. How else would they know? And if they won’t do an MRI, then we’ll just get one done privately. ”
“Do you think?
”
“Yeah. I do. ”
“I’m sorry. ”
“Hey.
You’ve got nothing to be sorry for. Okay? What’s for tea? ”
“Shepherd’s pie, love.
”
Later, on the street, two friends talked quietly. “Yeah, I remember when Steve found out about his dad’s diagnosis. It’s like a bomb went off in his head. And then the wait to see whether he had the gene as well.
I mean, I’d never even heard of myotonic dystrophy. ”
“Talk about a bomb going off. It’s bad enough Ben finding out that Jim was his dad, but then to learn that he might die. I mean, he might actually die, Lee.
And there’s the boys to worry about, of course. ”
“Yeah. Yeah, I know. But I suppose now the whole Will and Megan thing’s been exposed, it’s one less thing for him to worry about.
”
“Yeah, I hope so. ”
“I’m so glad that we sorted things out with Sam. ”
“Oh, I know. Poor thing.
Got himself into a right tiz. Bless him. ”
“Poor arm, aren’t I? ”
“Mhm.
Mhm. Mhm. “
