Chapter 14 #4
As I tore off the mask and prepared to make a mad dash on my make-up, I heard my phone ring; it was Steve. Halfway through putting my concealer on, I grabbed the phone.
‘’Sup Daddy?’ I said hastily. There was an awkward silence as I processed what I’d just said. ‘I mean, not in that way – don’t make it weird or anything, I—’
Steven cut me off halfway through. ‘I’m gonna forget you said that, weirdo.
Anyway, I was calling to ask a favour, if that’s OK?
I forgot to bring a few things for Bianca and Aaron, and the doctors want Bianca to stay at the hospital for another day because of something to do with her blood pressure. They wanna monitor it.’
‘Oh shit, I hope everything’s under control?’ I replied, using my beauty sponge to blend out the concealer under my eyes. I had an hour before Theo was due to arrive.
‘Yeah, they’re both fine. Mum doesn’t wanna leave my side and Dad’s fucked off back home, so I was wondering, pretty please, if you could just pick up a couple of baby vests, and a few cheap nighties and underwear for Bianca?
I would ask if you could go to our flat but it’s too out of the way, and you’re closer to the hospital.
We need it for this morning if possible as we’re fresh out. ’
Shit. So much for my date with Theo – looked like auntie duty decided to show up ahead of schedule.
‘Ahh, yeah, no worries, bro. Text me the full list of things you need and I’ll swing by this morning,’ I replied, accidentally stabbing myself in the eye with the mascara wand.
‘Love you, appreciate you!’ called my brother from the other end of the phone.
I put the phone down, slightly annoyed at having to change my plans so last minute.
Theo was probably on his way and a pit of guilt made its way to my stomach over the thought of having to cancel so suddenly.
I also looked … dishevelled. And not in the sexy, tousled, French-girl way.
No – this was more ‘sleep-deprived pigeon who lost a bar fight’.
My eyeliner had gone rogue, tilting at an angle like it was desperately trying to escape my face.
The concealer under my eyes had crept into every fine line, basically sending out a public service announcement that I had crow’s feet.
My braids were shoved into what could generously be called a bun – more realistically, a haystack in witness protection.
My edges? They’d staged a walkout and were now somewhere around my ears.
I opened my messages and texted him:
Hey Theo. I’m so so sorry to do this, but I can’t make today any more. I’ve got a bit of a family emergency at the hospital and need to get some bits for my bro; can we reschedule?
As I screenshot the list of items Steven had texted to me, I continued getting ready, dismayed over not being able to chill with Theo today, but feeling excited about being able to see my nephew again. Minutes later, I receive a text back from Theo:
I completely understand, I hope your brother is OK?
I’ve actually just started making my way and it’ll probably take me about forty minutes or so to get to South; do you need any help or anything?
I can be your chauffeur perhaps if you need to pick some things up …
let me know. Send message. Siri? Send message.
Oh shit, SEND! Mate, get out of the lane, you’re blocking—
I reread the text and cackled at his attempt at using the voice-to-text function on his phone. There was something so sexy about him offering to help me in my time of need. I smiled to myself as I texted back:
Thank you so much and apologies for the change of plan! I’m making my way into town, but if you meet me at St Thomas’ Hospital, that would be great. Let me know when you get there; looking forward to seeing you! Also we’re gonna have to get you a few lessons on how to send a voice text, Gramps. x
Thirty minutes later and I was in my local TK Maxx breezing through the baby and beauty aisles like a contestant on Supermarket Sweep.
I picked up a couple of newborn vests and Babygros, some cute yellow cotton mittens, water wet wipes, a pack of five panties and two nighties for Bianca, and a little toiletry travel set.
As I ordered an Uber to take me to the hospital, I got another text from Theo:
Listen, it’s my first time doing one of these speak-text things, OK?
Cut me some slack. Trying to be a responsible driver and all that, or would you rather I text with my hands and I end up DEAD?
Haha, I’ll let you know once I get to the hospital.
Send text. No … delete the ‘send text’ bit and just SEND THE TEXT.