Chapter 38
Chapter thirty-eight
When Tanya left, Rosa set about unpacking. Everything that needed a wash, she piled in front of the machine.
“Imogen?” she called up the stairs.
It took a moment before she heard the music turn off and a loud, “Yeah?” shouted back at her.
“Do you need anything washed for school on Monday?”
“Don’t think so.” The voice wasn’t so loud now, as her daughter’s face appeared over the banister. “You did everything before we left. Uniform, football kit…”
“Oh, yes, of course I did.” Rosa smiled up at her. “Are you bringing that bowl down?”
Imogen rolled her eyes. “Yesss,” she said, dragging it out as if she’d been nagged.
“Good, and then do you want to watch a film with me?”
“Can do.”
“Okay, bring down the bowl and I’ll set us up some snacks and drinks. You can choose what we watch.”
“Deal.” Imogen grinned and skipped back to her room, but she was down the stairs again before Rosa had even opened the fridge. “There, never let it be said that a dirty bowl stays in my room longer than needed,” she declared, putting it in the sink.
Rosa raised a brow at her, and she quickly turned back to it and yanked the tap on. “Thank you.”
“I don’t know why we can’t have a dishwasher like normal people,” Imogen complained.
“But I have you.” Rosa chuckled and closed the fridge, remembering they had no actual food unless ketchup counted.
“Not forever,” Imogen threw back. “And then what will you do?”
“Probably afford to eat out more.”
Imogen finished washing the bowl and spoon, rinsing and placing them both on the drainer. “I’m serious, though, Mum. Two years and I’ll be heading to uni. Who’s going to watch movies with you and do the washing-up?”
“You don’t need to worry about me, Immy.”
“But I do. I don’t want you to get old and be alone.”
Rosa paused from rummaging in the cupboard. “I’m not alone. I have you, wherever you live. There’s the phone and visiting. I’ve got Tan, and lots of friends.”
“But don’t you want to be in love again?”
An image of Billy came into Rosa’s mind. Her lips almost gave her away when they curved upwards. “I’ve got a lot of love in my life, and if one day someone special comes along, I promise I will not ignore the opportunity.”
“Good, because I really do not like it that you and Billy are both single. You’re both too awesome to not be totally loved by someone just as amazing.”
Rosa stepped forward and kissed Imogen on the side of the head. “This is how I know I’ve done a good enough job raising you.”
“You did more than that, Mum. You’re my Ride or Die, remember?”
“Always.”
The film was ending, and Imogen was already asleep. These were the moments Rosa cherished. It didn’t matter if Imogen was five years old, sixteen, or thirty-five—any time her daughter fell asleep on her brought a level of peace Rosa had never found anywhere else.
Rosa picked up the remote and switched off the TV.
Imogen mumbled something.
“Sweetheart, it’s time for bed.”
“One more minute,” Imogen said a little more coherently. Rosa chuckled.
Her phone buzzed on the coffee table. Rosa glanced at the clock and smiled. There was only one person who would be messaging now: Billy.
Imogen sat up and stretched. “Is that my phone buzzing?” she asked through a yawn.
“Uh, no, I think it’s mine. Probably Roger,” Rosa replied.
Blinking, Imogen pushed herself up, then leant down and kissed Rosa on the cheek. “I’m gonna go up. I’m shattered.”
“It’s been a long day, and a busy week,” Rosa said, smiling up at her. “I’m glad you had a lovely birthday.”
“Me too. Thank you for coming. It means the world to me to have you and Billy in my life together at times.”
Rosa glanced at her phone as another buzz came through. “Maybe we can try and do more things together?”
“Really?” Imogen’s eyes went wide. “I’d really love that… We’ve got some big matches coming up.”
“I’ll speak to Billy and see what she says.”
“Thanks, Mum.”
“Go on, get to bed. I’ll be up soon too.”
“Okay.” Imogen stopped at the door. “Don’t let Roger get you working on something—you’re not at work till Monday.”
“Yes, you’re right, I won’t.”
She heard Imogen’s footsteps on the stairs, and when the floorboards creaked above her, picked up the phone and read the messages.
Billy: Still awake?
Billy: I’ll be up for another hour. Call me if you see this x