Chapter 3
Chapter three
The prosecco fizzed as it poured from the bottle into the flutes. Two glasses—one for Rosa, and one for Tanya, the next-door neighbour who'd rapidly become her best friend over the years.
"How did it go?" she asked as Rosa put the bottle down and sat back on the couch, pulling one leg up and tucking it beneath the other.
"You know, the usual. She swanned in looking like she hadn't a care in the world." Rosa shrugged. "Imogen all excited because Billy bought her another pair of trainers just because she asked, and Billy needs to ease her guilt."
"You sound a little bitter about it."
"Maybe," Rosa acknowledged. "It wasn't easy being a lone parent all those years whilst she sorted herself out."
Tanya nodded. "I know all about that." She reached out and touched her friend's arm. "But…she did sort herself out."
"Yes, she has… I think that's what makes it so frustrating. She missed out on so much because she wouldn't do it when we needed her to."
"That's the problem with mental health—it hits when you least expect it, and it's like a dark cloud that just won't shift. I know it hurt you, and it messed up all your plans, but try to remember that it did that for her too, only worse because she didn't have Imogen."
"God, imagine it. She couldn't take care of herself—a baby would have just…" She swallowed down a large glug of prosecco. "I know, you're right… I need to let it go."
They sat in comfortable silence for a bit, both watching the TV as they sipped their drink and reached for the nibbles in a bowl between them.
"Meredith wants us all to go to Austria for Imogen's sixteenth."
Tanya turned slowly to look at her friend. "All?"
"Yup," Rosa answered with a smack of her lips. "Imogen now has her heart set on it. Skiing, log cabins, and hot chocolate. Meredith is paying for it all, including Imogen's friends, and I'm invited too."
"Are you going to?"
Rosa sighed heavily. "I want to celebrate Imogen's birthday, of course I do, but five days with Billy and her parents? Not sure I'm up for that…and Imogen will be with her friends for the most part, so what do I do halfway up a mountain when I don't ski?"
"Drink schnapps?" Tanya giggled. "Seriously, though, it's free, and you'll regret it if you don't go. Sixteen is a big thing, and there aren't many parents out there who still have teenagers who want to spend those moments with them."
"I know. She's a good kid." Rosa smiled proudly.
"She is…all because of you." Tanya pointed at her. "So why should you be the one to miss out on one of the biggest nights of her life so far?"
"I guess so." Rosa still didn't sound convinced.
"Worst case, you spend a week in a beautiful log cabin, relaxing. Read those books piling up, and do not let Roger push you into working from your laptop." Tanya poked her playfully and winked. "Take advantage of all the après-ski."
Rosa thought about it. "I guess it would be good for me to be there in case anything happens and Immy needs me."
"Exactly." Tanya pointed a knowing finger at her. "But I kind of think Billy has her shit together now. She's not going to fall apart and leave Imogen out on a limb…plus Meredith is there, and she loves that kid."
"I know. It's why I've never stopped them from seeing each other."
"Right, so…the worst thing that can happen is you spend a few days by yourself."
"That's just it though, Tan." She twisted in her seat to face Tanya properly. "I spent so many years with just me and Imogen, on our own…on my own… Why do I now have to be the bigger person and accommodate her yet again?"
"Because Imogen has asked you to." Tanya shrugged. "It's not about Billy, or Meredith. It's Imogen who's asking you to do this."
“I know… You’re right.”
“Better get the thermals out and packed.” Tanya chuckled.