Chapter Twenty-Eight Si
Si’s Saturday night had been, objectively speaking, a bit on the sad side.
He’d stayed in. Watched a couple of episodes of Doctor Who on iPlayer.
Realised he’d watched them out of sequence.
Thought about cooking dinner but hadn’t been that hungry since they’d had lunch at three, so had made himself a slice of toast and marmite and called it a day.
Thought about playing a game, but hadn’t been in the mood.
Had phoned his mum.
“Simon, love. I thought you’d be out. With that boy.” Her tone darkened several notches on the last bit.
“He’s working tonight. And it ain’t like, you know. He’s not my boyfriend.” Si’s heart clenched, because saying it out loud only rubbed it in. He could have been.
No. No, he couldn’t, cos what Si wanted from a boyfriend and what Zig wanted were two very different things. He had to remember how Zig had been when they’d broken up—it’d been water off a duck’s back, hadn’t it?
Except Zig never lets anyone see he’s hurt.
“Well, I can’t say I’m not glad to hear that. How long is he staying with you?”
“I dunno. Till he gets himself settled, like.” Gods, would he get settled? Or would he be moving on once he’d got enough cash from his new job?
“Well, don’t you let him take advantage of you.”
“Mum!”
“I don’t mean like that. Although it’s a valid point, now you’ve mentioned it. There’s such a thing as being too easygoing, you know. Don’t let him leech off you.”
“Zig’s not leeching. He’s offered to pay rent.”
“Did you accept?”
“Well, no. He ain’t been working long enough to get paid yet.”
“And that’s what I mean. You’re letting him take advantage.”
“It’s not taking advantage. It’s being a mate.” There was a knock on the downstairs door. Zig must be back. “Mum, I gotta go. You take care, all right? Give my love to Dad.”
“You can give it to him yourself. Come round for lunch tomorrow.”
“On me own?”
She sighed. “No, you can bring your friend, all right?”
“What, so you can have a go at him? Mum, I need to get the door.”
“I won’t have a go. You be here tomorrow, Simon. With or without.”
“I’ll let you know. Bye, Mum.”
“Love you.” She ended the call before he could say it back.
Si put his phone down and hurried downstairs. Zig looked like he’d had a long night, Si thought as he let him in. “Work all right?”
“Yeah. Busy, but you know.”
Si wasn’t sure what he was supposed to know.
“You have a good evening without me?” Zig asked.
Si shrugged. “Quiet.” He mustered a laugh. “Must be getting old.”
Zig smiled weakly. “Me too. Think I’ll turn in early tonight, if that’s okay.”
“Yeah, no problem.” Si could wait until tomorrow to mention Mum’s invitation.
Si got up early on Sunday, but he tiptoed around the flat so as not to wake Zig. How could anyone appear tired while actually asleep? Course, Si didn’t see a right lot of sleeping people, so maybe everyone did? Any road, Zig probably needed his rest after working till nearly midnight.
He put a load of washing on, did a bit of cleaning, and managed to nip out to the shops for some groceries before Zig blinked awake sometime after eleven.
Zig sat up, glanced at his phone and scrubbed his face with his hands. “Christ, did I really sleep that long?”
“Yep. Wasn’t sure if I oughtta wake you or just knock the dust off. You okay? Not coming down with something, are you?” Si peered at him with concern.
“Nah, I’m good.” Zig yawned. “S’pose I’ve missed breakfast.”
“Pretty sure we can rustle up a slice of toast for you. You, uh, you might not want to fill up too much,” Si said cautiously. “Mum’s invited us round for Sunday lunch.”
“What, me too?” Zig’s voice rose an octave.
“Yeah, of course. Her and Dad do a nice roast. So, are you up for that?” Si mentally crossed his fingers. The more he thought about it, the more he wanted this: Zig and his family having a meal together.
Even if it wasn’t like he was bringing a boyfriend home.
There was a pause. “Can’t. Gotta work.”
“At lunchtime? Thought you only did evenings.”
“We’re short-staffed. Ange asked me to come in.” Zig didn’t meet Si’s gaze.
Si’s heart fell. Which was daft, really. At least this way they wouldn’t have to worry about Mum forgetting her promise and causing any aggro. “That’s a shame, then. Maybe another time.”
“Yeah.” Zig stood up and stretched. “I better hit the shower.”
“I’ll put the kettle on for when you’ve finished,” Si said.