‘Hi,’ she said, pushing her mane of hair back from her face. ‘Ooh, cup of tea. I am being spoilt this morning.’
He stood up and, putting his arms around her waist, drew her in for a kiss. ‘It’s my pleasure,’ he said and then sighed as his phone began to ring, vibrating on the worktop. He reached over and looked at the screen. ‘Sorry. Work.’
He gave Tina another kiss and then took the call.
‘All right? What we got?’ he said, he ears concentrating on Martin, his eyes on Tina. She took a sip of her tea and went about making some toast. Every now and then she would glance at him and smile. She looked relaxed. She certainly didn’t appear to be having any regrets about last night.
‘We’ve found Baz Fisher,’ said Martin.
‘Good stuff. What’s he said?’
‘Nothing. Says he wants to speak to you and you alone. In person.’
John paused for a second as he smiled back at Tina. Much as he wanted to get some info from Baz Fisher, the thought of having to leave Tina tempered the result. He looked at his watch. ‘Where are you? Okay. Yep. I’ll be with you by midday.’
Tina rested her chin in her hands. ‘It’s okay, you don’t have to explain,’ she said. ‘Will you be gone all weekend?’
‘Not if I can help it. Depends how things go this afternoon.’
‘What if Pavel, or whoever it was, comes back?’ Although she tried to sound unperturbed at the thought, John could tell she was anxious.
‘Why don’t you stay at your Mum’s?’
‘I suppose I could. I don’t really want to make a habit of it. You know, hounded out of my own house.’
‘Just in case I can’t make it back. It won’t be forever. Once this is all over, you won’t have anything to worry about.’ He admired her stoicism. She certainly wasn’t one to give in easily. However, he had to admit, he would prefer her not to be at home alone. ‘It would put my mind at rest if you were at your mum’s.’
She considered the idea for a few moments before nodding her agreement. John acknowledged the small sense of relief this brought him.
The empty feeling that had surrounded her since John’s departure was persistent, if nothing else. Tina had hoped she would be able to shrug off the feeling that she felt somehow abandoned and left to fend for herself. It was unlike her. Bringing up a baby on her own had forced resilience and independence on her. She hadn’t been sure how she would cope, but she knew she would have to. She had a tiny helpless baby, a new life, who was totally dependent on her and gave her a reason to carry on living herself. Flaky and unable to cope hadn’t been an option.
Missing John, not simply because she enjoyed his company but also because she enjoyed the feeling of safety he brought with him, took her by surprise. She hadn’t expected to feel scared being alone; it was a new sensation.
Being with her parents countered this as she and Dimitri walked along the seafront with them. They gave her the familiar sense of love and security. It was definitely what she needed right now.
As her phone sounded out a text message alert, Tina hoped it was John. She was disappointed to see Fay’s name flash up on the screen. She read the message.
‘Everything okay?’ asked Pam.
‘That was work,’ she said. ‘The Saturday girl has gone home sick and Fay’s asked if I could come in.’
‘Dimitri can stay with us today,’ said her mother. ‘He’s as good as gold.’
‘I feel a bit guilty leaving Dimitri.’
‘Look at him, he’s having a whale of a time with your father. It’s only a few hours – he will be fine.’
‘I know, but I don’t like to take advantage of you either,’ said Tina.
‘Don’t be daft. We’re his grandparents; we love having him.’
‘Are you sure?’ said Tina. ‘I know Fay will be run off her feet today. It’s a Saturday and one of the busiest days. Plus, the extra money is always handy.’ It would also help keep her mind occupied and give her less John-thinking time.
‘Of course, I’m sure,’ said Pam. ‘I wouldn’t have offered otherwise.’
‘Thanks, Mum. I’ll quickly text her back and say I’ll be about an hour. It doesn’t start getting busy until about eleven.’ She sent a reply back to Fay. ‘There, all done.’
‘Is everything all right?’ asked Pam. ‘I don’t mean with work, but with you, generally?’
‘Yes, of course,’ said Tina, crossing her fingers at the lie.
‘You seem a bit down, that’s all,’ said Pam.