Chapter 63
Chapter sixty-three
“I’m telling you, Gran, you should see them. They’re not even oblivious, just choosing not to do it,” Imogen said, looking at the phone screen and Meredith’s face smiling at her.
“Well, maybe we just have to accept that we’re wrong and they don’t want to be together.”
Imogen shook her head. “No, that can’t be it. They both still love each other—they both told me.”
“Loving someone and wanting to be with them are very different things, darling. There’s always that person, the one that got away, the one you love with all your being, but for whatever reason, it just didn’t work out. One day, you’ll look back and see it differently, I promise.”
“That sounds ridiculous,” Imogen said. A group of girls walked past her at the school gate, giggling to themselves about something that had nothing to do with Imogen, and yet she watched them like a hawk, just in case they looked back at her.
“You’ll understand when—”
“When I’m older, I know,” Imogen huffed. “It’s just so frustrating.”
Meredith said nothing. The smile on her face said she understood, but what more could they do?
“I need a new plan,” Imogen said, waving as Robbie climbed out of Georgia’s car. “Okay, gotta go, Gran.”
“Have a lovely day. And Imogen?”
“Yeah?”
“Maybe it’s time to let them find their own way?”
“Gran, don’t be a spoilsport.” Imogen grinned. “They just need a push.”
“Alright, on your head be it.”
Imogen cut the call and ran to her best friend, hugging her quickly before making sure the call had ended and slipping the phone into her bag.
“So, last night they both admitted they loved each other.”
“What?” Robbie said. “Billy and your mum?”
Imogen nodded. “Yes, although I’m calling her Ma now and not Billy, so if I slip, remind me.”
“Right, Ma not Billy. Why?”
Imogen shrugged. “I guess it makes more sense and I think Billy—Ma—just wants to feel more like my actual parent, which she totally is so I get it, and I’m good with it…just takes some remembering.”
“Okay, cool. So, how and why did they say they loved each other?”
“It just came up in conversations with them.”
“They just said, ‘I love your other mother?’”
Imogen linked arms with Robbie and they walked the path together towards the main building. “No, I asked each of them if they still loved the other and they both said they did.”
Robbie was quiet for a moment.
“So, since the holiday, they’ve been hanging out more. Having lunch together. Talking.”
“Yeah. Trying to be more like a family for me.”
“Hm hm…or they’re seeing each other,” Robbie said, giving Imogen a playful nudge.
Imogen stopped walking and grabbed Robbie’s arm, eyes wide. “No, I’d know.”
“What if they don’t want you to know?”
“They wouldn’t be able to hide something like that.” Imogen shook her head, not believing she’d missed some sign or clue.
“I guess.” Robbie shrugged. They’d reached the building. “I have English, then French. Wanna hang for lunch?”
“Always.” Imogen smiled. “We can do that TikTok video with Janka. I’ll find her and bring her along.”
“Alright, cool. See you then.”
Imogen watched Robbie go, waving when her friend turned back to pull a face at her. She laughed but then frowned. A prickle of doubt crept in. Could they be seeing each other? She hadn’t thought of that. No, she was sure she would have noticed…wouldn’t she?