by Kit Eyre
A chuckle spluttered out of Amy’s mouth. ‘What, seriously?’
‘Her favourite was rhubarb,’ Max said.
‘Rhubarb? In gin?’
‘Not my thing either, but she liked it. She was one on her own, but that’s why me and her got along so well. There’s nothing in here I can knock over, is there?’
They’d reached the door and stopped in unison. The only alteration this room had experienced in Valerie’s big renovation was the door colour – cream instead of natural wood. Beyond the threshold, everything was just as Tim had left it and Amy’s stomach swirled at the prospect of showing someone else inside. It’d be like walking Max around a mausoleum dedicated to someone she couldn’t compete with, and that was cruel. So, instead of opening that door, Amy backtracked several steps and nudged her own bedroom into view. She reached around the frame to turn the light on and then left Max to walk inside of her own accord.
‘I don’t have much stuff here anymore,’ she said.
Max looked around, eyes lingering on the pink curtains and the array of ornaments on the windowsill. She made a beeline for them then faltered at the sight of something else.
‘Is that Wilbur?’ she asked.
‘Erm . . . yeah.’ Amy retrieved him and held him out. ‘Be careful with his left eye. It might fall. Mum told you about my toy owl?’
Max tickled his beak. ‘Is that weird?’
‘I don’t know,’ she admitted.
‘Me neither,’ Max said with a wry smile. ‘I’ve never been seeing someone’s parent before. I’m not sure how this is meant to work.’
‘Well, I’ve never had someone date my mum before. Maybe we can muddle our way through it?’
She watched as Max returned Wilbur to his station underneath the lamp, adjusting his beak to point towards the door. Then she massaged her neck with one hand while taking in the rest of the room. Amy could almost hear the barcode scanner beeping and found herself bouncing on her heels until Max turned back fully, a pensive expression playing across her face.
‘I’m not out to cause problems,’ she said.
‘I know that,’ Amy replied.
Max nodded slowly. ‘And I’ve never done this before – not a proper relationship with a woman, never mind her kid. So, if I muck it up, can you tell me? I’ve watched Drew lurch his way through it with Elena, but the day I start treating him like a role model is the day you’ve got free rein to stick me in a padded cell. I need help to make sure I’m doing this right and I’ve no one else to ask.’
‘You want me to be the barometer for your relationship with my mum?’ Amy questioned.
‘Sounds daft when you say it like that.’
‘It doesn’t, honestly. I’m just not sure I’ll be any good at that either.’
‘So, we’re even,’ said Max.
‘I like that,’ Amy murmured. She hesitated then held out a hand. ‘Deal.’
‘Deal,’ Max echoed.
They walked downstairs a few minutes later in silence, although they were comfortable together. Valerie had taken the opportunity to switch the music back to jazz, earning an eye roll from Max when they entered the kitchen. Amy couldn’t suppress her smile, and it only grew when Valerie glanced back from the stove and caught her in the act.
‘I take it everything’s all right?’ Valerie queried.
Amy spotted the tremor in her voice; she knew Max did too. Whatever Valerie was expecting by way of response, it wasn’t Max turning and striding back out of the kitchen. Her cheeks paled as she looked to Amy for an explanation.
‘Max?’ Amy called.
She was back almost before she was gone, throwing them both a shrug. ‘Just turning the upstairs light off since we’re all here. Saving electricity and all that.’
Chapter 17
Valerie slept like a pedigree cat and woke up like a feral one. Max loved watching her come round, even if the heels kicking back against her shins were leaving bruises. Those few seconds in the morning before Valerie woke properly left her more open than Max saw her when she was fully awake. She’d let a hand rest on her naked thigh and wait for the sapphire eyes to flutter open. The only difference this morning to the other handful of times she’d stayed over is that, this time, they weren’t alone in the house. That pushed Max out of the bed before Valerie had done much more than arch back into her body. On her way out of the room, she grabbed a silk dressing gown from the door hook. She was grateful of it when she walked into the kitchen to find Amy nursing a cuppa at the table.
Max cleared her throat. ‘Morning.’
‘You look ridiculous,’ Amy said as she caught sight of her.
‘Yeah, tell me about it. Do you want another drink?’
‘If you don’t mind. You know, you could’ve worn one of my dad’s old dressing gowns. It was a thing with him, he had about eight of them.’
‘Wouldn’t have felt right.’
‘Where do you get that from?’ Amy asked.
Max pulled a clean cup from the dishwasher then turned back to face her. ‘What do you mean?’
‘You’ve got this filter, what’s right and what isn’t. Some people, they just – they can’t separate it out and they hurt everyone else. You can tell when you’re on the other side of it that they’re wrong, but they can’t see it.’
‘You talking about your mum again?’
Amy scrubbed at her forehead while a blush crept up around her throat. It didn’t help that Max was staring at her, so she crossed to the patio window instead and looked out across the fields. She liked this view, all rolling hills and cows dotted about in the next field but one. The last time she’d lived with a view had been in Harrogate with Bea and she hadn’t realised how much she’d missed all that openness until her first morning with Valerie.
‘It was what you said about being your barometer,’ Amy answered suddenly.
Max winced but didn’t turn around. ‘That was just me being an idiot. Forget about it.’
‘You do know how much she wants to get elected, don’t you?’
‘Yeah, she’s –’
‘I mean, she really wants it. I’ve seen her when she’s ruthless and I don’t want –’
‘You don’t have to worry about me, you know,’ Max cut in, twisting back and smiling. ‘I’ll be all right.’
Amy shook her head. She scraped the chrome chair along the floor until it screeched then paced beyond the breakfast bar. The whole room seemed to carry with her, so, when she spun on her heel, it rocked a bit before settling. That was the passion Valerie had in life, the same energy it looked like she’d passed down to her daughter. Whatever had been going through Amy’s head was stoppered when footsteps padded down the stairs in the hallway. She’d cleared her face by the time Valerie walked in, and half of Max was wondering if she’d imagined the whole thing.
‘Is everything all right?’ Valerie asked as she glanced between them.
‘We were just about to stick the kettle on,’ said Max.
Valerie’s shoulders relaxed. ‘Oh, I think we can do better than that. I know a café which is apparently heavenly on a Sunday.’
‘Mum . . .’ Amy growled.
‘What?’ she questioned innocently. ‘I’m just saying I know the right place, that’s all.’
The first thing Ed did when they walked into the empty café was drop the teapot he was drying. It shattered behind the counter and he smashed his head on the coffee machine trying to grab it.
Amy darted forward, but he waved her off.
‘I’m fine, I’m fine. I just wasn’t expecting – Hello, again, Mrs Smythe. The – the hygiene rating’s to your left right there. Four stars –’
‘Thank you, Ed,’ Valerie interrupted with one of her polished smiles. ‘I would offer to shake your hand. Unfortunately, you do seem to be bleeding.’
Max couldn’t hold in her snort, earning a glare from Amy as Ed lifted his palm up to the light coming through the window. He tilted his head to the side then licked his lips a few times.
&n
bsp; ‘Right, yeah. Sorry about that. I’m not too good with blood, as it goes.’
Valerie’s laugh sputtered out from behind her hand. ‘I see.’
‘Why don’t you two go upstairs?’ Amy suggested.
‘I’m a registered nurse, I could –’
‘Go away, that’s what you could do.’
‘Spoilsport,’ Valerie said, grabbing Max’s hand. ‘Come on, we know when we’re not wanted. Just make sure he doesn’t get blood in my coffee, or I’ll sue.’
She clattered up the stairs and Max just stumbled after her, trying not to lose her footing. Valerie turned at the top with a fresh smirk on her face, ready to draw her in for a kiss that left them teetering against the banister.
‘You’re acting like you’re drunk,’ Max murmured as she pulled away.
Valerie chuckled and kissed her again. ‘I’m just happy. This is wonderful, I haven’t felt so –’
‘Put each other down for five seconds and let me through,’ Amy cut in.
Instead of acting embarrassed, Valerie stepped aside. It took Max’s brain a few seconds to catch up then she realised that both of them were off to sit down and she was stood there like a prize plum. So, she wandered after them, making a show of looking at the gig notices scattered about when what she really wanted to do was check if the pair of them were getting along okay. All this was the opposite to what she’d expected with Amy, and it wasn’t much like she was used to seeing with Valerie either.
Ed trotted up the stairs and poked his head above the banister. ‘Mrs Smythe, is that offer to check my hand still up for grabs?’
‘As long as you start calling me Valerie,’ she replied.
‘Not sure about that. Here, I’ve got the first aid kit and I’ve cleaned it out.’
‘I hope you’re sure about that. Come – sit.’
He nearly tripped over his feet crossing to the sofa, but that was probably down to the blood as much as anything else. Max glanced at Amy to see if she minded Valerie patching him up, but she was smiling. They both watched as Valerie unrolled the bandage and smoothly wrapped the wound up, although she did stop him from moving his hand away when she’d done.
‘What are your intentions towards my daughter?’ she asked.
Amy groaned. ‘Don’t answer that.’
‘Please, do,’ Valerie said.
With his free hand, Ed scratched his beard. ‘Mainly to make her coffee and chocolate cake.’
‘Hmm.’ Valerie looked to Max. ‘I think we have to sample this chocolate cake, don’t we?’
‘Reckon so, yeah,’ she said.
Ed scrambled to his feet. ‘I’m on it.’
The footsteps sounded like an avalanche, but he must’ve landed on his feet at the end of it because he didn’t make a yelp. The three of them listened to him banging around down there for a minute then Amy turned to look at Valerie and then Max in turn.
‘You’re evil, the pair of you,’ she said.
Valerie grinned and reclined into the cosy sofa. ‘Just taking advantage of the mother-in-law card. Besides, we can’t have him too comfortable, can we?’
Chapter 18
As soon as Amy walked into her Economics class on Monday morning, she was redirected to the Law Department’s office with instructions to see Dennis Cowper. Her first instinct was to lock herself in the bathroom for the rest of the day, but she settled for twenty minutes perched on the sink playing on her phone instead. By the time she knocked on the open door of the Law office, Dennis seemed surprised she was there.
‘I assumed you were off sick,’ he said, gesturing to the chair beside the door. ‘Take a seat.’
‘I’m okay, thanks. I got the message you wanted to see me.’
Dennis sighed and peeled his glasses from his face. ‘I’ve been trying to catch a moment with you after class, although I was reticent to deliberately hold you back. I know what students can be like and the last thing I want to do is cause you more stress in or out of the classroom. There’s plenty of talk about your mother in the corridor these days –’
‘Is there?’ Amy interjected, looping her fingers behind her back.
‘You must have heard it.’
‘I don’t really listen.’
‘Is that perhaps half the problem?’ Dennis asked.
She straightened her shoulders. ‘I’m afraid I don’t understand.’
‘Amy . . .’ He glanced around and retrieved a printout, holding it up towards her. It was full of notes written in Comic Sans, his usual concession to discord that made him popular with the students. ‘Your Sociology records are excellent; your Economics grades are exceptional. Paula Harborough is impressed with your grasp of the subject and with your willingness to participate. Have you thought about pursuing a career in that area?’
‘I know what I want to do, Mr Cowper. I’ve told you that before.’
‘Just look at this for me, Amy. I don’t take pleasure in writing notes like this, not for any student, but especially not one with your intelligence and potential. You’re distant in class, almost lazy even. Your written work’s atrocious and, yes, before you try and argue, your grades are now slipping below what’s acceptable.’
‘I’ll pass,’ she insisted.
‘And then what, hmm? Continue being bored at university? I’ve spoken to your personal tutor, I know your plans and intentions. If you don’t rethink now, you could be in for a lengthy career you find absolutely no pleasure in. That’s if you get that far which, quite frankly, I doubt. Now, if you reconsider, do something at university you enjoy –’
‘With respect, that’s not a plan. I won’t be one of those people who jumps around from career idea to career idea without sticking to anything. I’m going to be a lawyer, that’s what I’m going to do.’
Dennis rubbed his chin. ‘Your tutor thinks there’s difficulty at home. She’s asked me to hold off calling either your mother or your grandmother and to deal with this in-house if at all possible.’
‘Right,’ Amy muttered.
‘I have to say, we may be getting beyond that point. I understand that you feel as though you’re honouring your father’s memory by going into –’
‘You don’t understand,’ she interrupted, crossing her arms. ‘I want to do this.’
He stared at her for a minute then replaced his glasses on his nose. ‘Then get your grades up and show some enthusiasm in my class. Otherwise, we’ll need to speak again before your UCAS application.’
For the second Monday in a row, Amy found herself standing outside the office of Pinder Cabs wondering whether to go inside. The interior had been an unknown quantity last week, but now she could picture the desk and the chair, even the frayed wallpaper. Her only concern about pushing the door open this time was whether she’d come face-to-face with Drew again. Max had passed on his apologies, but Amy was still worried about encountering him after the last time. From the talk over the weekend, she knew he mattered to Max, however much their relationship was apparently built on sarcasm and rugby. Getting Drew’s approval felt like a hurdle she had to jump in order to be friends with Max.
The decision was taken from her hands by the door jolting open. A woman swore at her to move then lumbered towards the taxi that had just pulled up on the kerb. Amy turned to watch then checked herself when the woman glanced over her shoulder. She was left with little choice but to launch into the office, startling Max on the switchboard.
‘I thought you were her back again,’ Max explained, gesturing outside. ‘Right one, she is. Kicks off every time about the prices then makes out like she’s been hard done by if I tell her to go elsewhere. She’s after a discount, but she’s not getting one. Not from me, anyway. With the way she tries it on, reckon it might get her somewhere with the lads.’
Amy let the door swing shut. ‘Do you get a lot of that?’
‘Comes with the territory. People try their luck, it’s part of the game. Come through, I’ll put the kettle on.’
The door to the other
half of the office was little more than a piece of plywood that quivered in her hand. It wouldn’t slot back into the frame when she tried and Max came over to force it in with her shoulder.
‘Nothing round here’s easy to work,’ she said as she crossed to the kitchenette. ‘Keep saying we’ll move elsewhere, but it all costs and Drew’s got enough on his plate. Anyway, he’d muck a new place up like he has this one. There’s peanut shells on the sofa so watch yourself. I’ll get them in a minute.’
Just as she’d managed to turn the kettle on, the switchboard phone began blaring. She hesitated, but Amy motioned for her to answer the call and, while she did, set about making the tea herself. One call bled into three and she was perched on the edge of the sofa drinking from a Batman mug before Max could finally speak.
‘Cheers for this. And for the peanuts as well. Saves me a job. Elena’s still got all the morning sickness going on so he’s shifted his bad habits here full-time. Better here than in the cab though. What’s up, anyhow? What are you doing here?’
Amy shrugged and sipped her tea. ‘Today’s when Biddy has her church friends over for tea. They drive me mad at the best of times, I’m really not in the mood for it today.’
‘How come?’
‘Had enough of idiotic people for one day.’
Max grinned. ‘Know that feeling. But how did you end up here?’
‘Mum’s in Leeds for a meeting and Ed’s baking so . . . You said pop in so I did.’
‘Yeah, I meant it. Saves me from going potty answering that thing.’
‘I don’t know how you work with people all day,’ Amy admitted. ‘Even if it’s just on the other end of a phone. I can’t think fast enough to deal with it sometimes.’
‘I wasn’t too dissimilar when I was your age. Didn’t mind talking, but the minute it felt like I had to . . . You get there with confidence. And by not giving a toss what people think.’
Amy tilted her head to the side. ‘But they’re your customers. They matter.’
‘Course they do, but that’s not to say they’ve got free rein over what goes on in my head. That woman before – Ms Bawtry – she reckons she’s putting one over on us every time she has a go, every time she wangles a discount. Fact is, we’ve got a policy about who we carry and who we don’t, so if we wanted to ban her, it’d happen.’