The Debt & the Doormat(57)

I see Dad’s face break into a smile and I’m so tempted to hit him.

‘Yeah, what do you say?’

‘Um...I’d love to?’

‘Yay!’ She hugs me while jumping round in a circle. ‘Henry will be so pleased!’

Really, as he’s always kind of hated me, I want to say, but instead I smile sweetly.

‘I’m back!’ Mum says, jumping into the room dressed in only her bra and knickers.

‘Jesus Meryl! Put some clothes on,’ Dad shouts.

‘Oh, stop being a prude Douglas!’ she shoots back. ‘What were you girls talking about then?’ she asks as she positions herself next to Carol.

‘Poppy’s just agreed to be my bridesmaid,’ Abbey says proudly.

‘Oh marvellous! Make the most of it Poppy. It may be the only time you’ll carry a bouquet in a church.’

‘Thanks Mum,’ I say rolling my eyes.

‘And your eyes will really pop next to the brown,’ Abbey says, her eyes lit up.

Brown. I shudder involuntarily every time I hear it.

‘Oh yes,’ Mum sniggers. ‘My little green eyed monster.’

I sigh in response. I hate when she calls me that.

‘Yeah, Poppy. I have always wondered. Where did you get your green eyes from?’ She looks between Mum and Dad’s blue eyes. ‘Is there an Aunt or something that you take after?’

‘We don't know,’ I say, sick of the same question I’ve had to answer my whole life.

‘I think Meryl had her way with the gardener!’ Dad teases.

‘That joke never gets old, does it Dad,’ I say drily.

‘It is strange.’ She looks at me closely, as if I were an alien. It reminds me of the times when Mum would pick us up from school and the girls would say I was adopted.

‘So Poppy, is there anything new with you?’ Dad asks, thankfully changing the subject.

‘Um...not really. You know I’m living at Jazz’s at the moment don't you?’

‘In trouble again is she? When will that girl grow up and settle down?’ Mum tutts.

‘She’s fine actually. I’m just glad to have the company to be honest.’

‘Are you seeing anyone?’ Dad enquires, trying to be casual.

‘No,’ I say sadly.

‘Well I was wondering darling,’ Mum interrupts, ‘Why don't you ask Stuart to the wedding?’

‘Stuart? Are you fucking insane?’ I shout, instantly losing my temper.

‘Just a suggestion sweetheart! No need to have a heart attack.’

‘Anyway, has anyone heard anything from Richard?’ I enquire, trying to sound casual. Or more specifically has anyone heard about his whore of a wife.

‘Richard?’ Mum says, alarmed. ‘Why? What's wrong with Richard?’

‘No! Nothing’s wrong! I was just…making conversation.’

‘Oh. Well I haven’t spoken to him in a few days.’

Great. So they’re keeping it a secret. Abbey looks at me as if to communicate that she knows more but can’t say.

‘Anyway darling,’ Mum says, taking me over to a quiet corner. ‘Have you thought anymore about your situation?’

‘I haven’t got a situation. How many fucking more times do I have to tell you! I’m not pregnant!’

‘That's what I keep telling her,’ Dad shouts.

‘Darling, there's no need to lie to me. A mother just knows.’

‘Well it seems I’ll just have to wait nine months to prove you wrong.’

I get up and storm out of the house.





Chapter 22




‘And this is Matilda at the park...oh and look at her on the swing,’ Cheryl croons across the table with her camera.

‘Ah, cute.’ I smile politely as I try to ignore Lilly pretending to stab herself behind her.

‘Anyway, I must go. Gotta go ring the Nanny and check my baby’s ok,’ she smiles before she leaves.

‘I swear that woman used to be fun before she ruined her vagina forever,’ Lilly snorts.

‘She’s not that bad,’ I protest, feeling bad to slag her off. Her whole world is crumbling around her.

‘Oh, come on! All the woman talks about is that baby. If I ever get like that just shoot me, OK.’

‘Don't worry, the very minute.’ I make a finger gun and stick it to her head.

‘That's sweet. Anyway, have you seen any of Neville today?’ she teases.

I had of course filled her in on everything the minute I got back from lunch yesterday.

‘I’ve been avoiding him like the plague, poor thing.’

‘You do know that this is your own fault,’ she says, with no sympathy.

‘Yes. You did remind me a few times. I just can't be horrible to him. He’s so lovely.’

‘You really do have a problem. It's almost a disability.’

‘Whatever. You’re just mean.’

‘Ah thanks,’ she gushes, taking it as a compliment instead of an insult. ‘Anyway, I haven’t told you about Alex and the washing machine incident.’

‘No, what happened?’ I ask, bracing myself for the latest rant from their stormy relationship. Well, I say stormy, more like Lilly shouts and he just tries to calm her down.

‘Well, so I’m in the kitchen, loading the washing in the machine and he comes in. Then he starts – ‘

My phone ringing stops her in her tracks. I glance at the phone, sure that it’ll be Jazz, but it's an unknown number. I’m always a bit nervous about picking these up, but I’m too curious to ignore it.

‘Hello?’ I say carefully down the phone.

‘Hi, is that Poppy?’ says an unfamiliar male voice.

‘Um...yes, but who’s this?’ I ask afraid that it's my bank.

‘Um...this is Lewis. I’m Teddy’s Grandson.’

Oh my God. I’m going to pass out. I’ve been set up with a stranger.

‘It's a bit awkward, but I was wondering if you wanted to go out for a drink sometime?’

‘Um...well....I’m not sure.’ I don't know how to let him down gently.

Lilly starts waving her hands in the air and mouthing ‘who is it?’ over and over again.

‘Look, I know I’m a total stranger calling you up, but the truth is that my Granddad won't stop pestering me to call you and take you out and he won't stop until I do. I just really need to get him off my back.’

‘Oh, so you don't really want to go out with me at all?’ I say with humour in my voice.

Lilly looks like she might pass out from anticipation and starts shoving me on the shoulder, still mouthing ‘who?’

‘Well, I don't know. I haven’t seen you yet,’ he laughs.

‘But I’m sure you agree it's what's inside that counts, right?’ I ask, shocked that I’m flirting.

‘Oh of course,’ he says playfully. ‘Unless you’re a dragon. So what do you say?’

I think for a moment. What have I got to lose? Ryan’s hardly talked to me since Sunday, probably scared to lead me on in case I’d pounce on him again. Plus, if it goes well I could get a date for the wedding and get my Mum off my back.

‘Ok, I’ll go out with you. Tomorrow night, 8pm at Whispers bar in Shepherds Bush.’

‘Ok great, see you then,’ he says, hanging up.

‘What the fuck!?’ Lilly exclaims, throwing her hands in the air dramatically.

‘My thoughts exactly.’

My phone rings again and me and Lilly stare at it in shock.

‘It can't be him again can it?’ she asks. ‘Or have you been giving your number out to more random strangers?’

I glare at her and answer it. ‘Hello?’

‘Hello, is that Miss Windsor?’ a posh voice bellows down the phone.

‘Yes,’ I say cautiously.

‘This is Caroline from Grenada Estate Agents. You wanted a viewing for Belvedere Road?’

‘Um...yes, that's right,’ I say, pulling away even more from Lilly. If she hears this I’m dead.

‘Well the seller is willing to have Miss Green view the property. How’s tonight for you?’

* * *



‘I can't believe you’re making me do this,’ Jazz moans as we walk towards the flat. It's an old Victorian terraced house which has been split into two maisonettes. ‘And you’re still not gonna let me know why I’m doing it?’ She stares with wide suspicious eyes.

‘Um...let’s just say it's to help a friend,’ I say vaguely.

‘How is putting in a higher offer helping a friend?’

‘It's a long story, OK. So just shut up and act rich and obnoxious.’

‘Fine,’ she snaps.

The door of the flat swings open and a beaming estate agent smiles wildly at us. She’s about forty-five, got pink lipstick on her teeth, and has greying wiry hair.

‘Miss Green!’ she bellows, as if she’s know Jazz forever. She turns to look at me. ‘And you must be her PA! Please come in!’

We follow her into the pale green hallway and then into the sitting room. It's got three long sash windows and a massive original fireplace. It's painted a pale pink and the floors are a cheap laminate which is bowed slightly underneath our feet.

‘This is the sitting room. As you can see it still maintains many of the original features.’

We nod appreciatively. Then we’re led into the kitchen. It looks like it's had five different kitchens fitted over the years and each cupboard door is different to the other one. It has a tiny window leading onto the garden. Suddenly I feel bad. I can see Lilly living here. I can see why she loves it, it's totally her in a flat. Not perfect, but perfect for her. Who the hell am I getting in the way of their happiness? Maybe they’d be able to afford this flat once she gets made redundant anyway. Maybe she’ll get a job straight away. Or maybe she’ll be out of work for two years. Oh God, I just don't know.