CHAPTER FOURTEEN
TOMMY
The sound of knocking wakes me in the early hours.
I’m not the best in the morning, and I’ve momentarily forgotten where I am, so when I answer, I swing the door back and growl.
“What the fuck sort of time—” My bleary eyes finally focus on a worried-looking Ash.
He wouldn’t wake me at shit o’clock unless something was wrong. “Hey, sorry. I didn’t mean to shout.”
“No problem. Look, man,” he says while Calla and their sleepy kids head downstairs behind him.
“I just wanted to let you know we got a call a couple of hours ago. Cal’s grandmother in Greece had a bad fall.
They’ve taken her to hospital, but Cal wants to get over there as quickly as possible.
I’ve spent the last hour or so sorting out a crew. I’m taking the band’s jet, by the way.”
“Whatever you need. Did they say how she’s doing?” I ask, genuinely concerned for such a cool lady.
“Pretty shaken up and badly bruised. They think her arm is broken, but she needs an X-ray to confirm. It means we could be over there for a while. The kids only have another week at school before the summer holidays anyway, so, as you can see—” he signals behind him, “—we’re all going. Will you and Max be okay here?”
“Sure. Go. Be with your family. We’re good.”
“Thanks, man. Can you tell Max what's happening? I tried knocking to wake him up, but he’s not answering.”
“He’s probably dead to the world. Don’t worry. I’ll talk to him.”
“Cheers. Tell Ozzie I’ll bring his friends back as soon as I can.”
“I will.”
We grasp hands and he brings me in for a hug. “I’ll call you when I know more,” he says, slapping me on the back.
“Whenever you can. No worries.” I scratch my head and wander back to bed. Poor Sue. I hope she’s all right. I guess this gives me time to spend with my boy, which is just what we both need.
Considering there’s still no word from Chelsea, I should try to get in touch with her too. I’m mad she hasn’t called, but I’m also worried Ozzie will forget who she is, even if Chelsea wants to forget about him.
Ozzie, Connie, and I sit around the breakfast table chatting away when Angie breezes in through the back door with Josh holding her hand.
“Good morning, Graham family,” she says. “How is everyone?”
I get up from my seat and nearly fall back down at the sight of her.
She’s wearing a simple white strappy dress, fitted around her top, but all flowing and hippy-chick around the bottom.
“We’re good. How are you feeling today? Any better?
” I ask, with open arms. I can’t stop smiling, and Connie smirks when she looks at me.
Angie drops Josh’s hand and falls into my waiting embrace. “I’m better than yesterday, but still a little tired.”
“Any reason?” I ask. She gazes up at me for a split second. She’s beautiful.
“I got an early morning call from Calla.”
“About her grandmother? Yeah, Ash woke me up too. I just hope she’s okay.”
“You and me both,” Angie half smiles. “And how are you, Connie?” she says, turning around to face her.
“I’m fine, thank you, Mrs Knox. I’m looking forward to working with you and Josh.”
“Oh, you’ve already talked about it?” she says, looking my way.
“Yeah. Last night when I got home. Connie’s happy to help.”
Connie glances briefly at Angie, her lips in a tight smile. They’ve met a few times before, but they’ve got to get to know one another.
Angie crouches down in front of her son. “Did you hear that, Josh? Connie is going to be taking care of you sometimes.”
“Does that mean Agatha isn’t coming back?” His big blue eyes are so wide as they look up at his mum.
“That’s right, darling. She’s not coming back.”
He practically jumps into her arms. “Thank you, Mummy.”
Once Josh has stopped hugging his mum so tight, he glances over to Connie who grins towards him. “We’re going to have so much fun. Right, Josh?”
He nods enthusiastically. They’ve already spent a little time together at Calla’s. “Can we go to the beach after school today?” he asks her.
“If that’s okay with your mum,” Connie says hopefully.
“Um, are you sure you’re not too busy?” There’s uncertainty in Angie’s voice, but this has got to be hard for her. She barely knows Connie, but is trusting her purely on my recommendation. I’m sure she’ll feel better the more she gets to know her.
“Yes, I’d love to if you’re okay with it,” Connie replies with a beaming smile.
“And me. Can I come too?” Ozzie shrieks.
“Who said that?” Angie jokes, turning in circles, looking everywhere but at Oz. “I thought it was my special little Oz, but I haven’t seen him today.” She puts her hand over her eyes as if she’s looking far away.
Josh laughs behind his hand. “He’s over there, Mummy. You’re silly.” He giggles while Oz throws his hands in the air.
“Here I am!”
“Hey, little fella.” Angie dances towards him and gives him a hug while I say hi to Josh.
Ozzie jumps onto her crouched lap, and he nuzzles against her with a tiny squeal, making her laugh even harder. “Hello, beautiful boy. Have you got any of those scrummy cakes you made with Josh yesterday?”
Oz shakes his head. “They’re all in here.” He opens his mouth and points down his throat.
Angie tickles his tummy. “You mean they’re all in here?” Oz giggles in that super cute way he does.
She turns back to Connie. “Are you sure you’ll be okay with these two? They’re quite a handful when they’re together.”
“Believe me, I’ve dealt with worse. We’ll be fine,” Connie says, clearing the breakfast plates away.
Angie touches her hand. “Thank you. You have no idea how much of a help this is.”
“No problem, Mrs Knox.”
“Call me Angie.”
Connie smirks towards me. We’re both thinking the same thing. Formality was something Chelsea wouldn’t budge on. “Thank you, Angie. I will.”
“Okay, Josh, you have five minutes to get your things together for school.” Angie claps her hands, indicating her son needs to get a move on.
“I can take him today if you’d like,” Connie offers.
“Are you sure? He needs to be there by eight-thirty.”
“Sure. It’s no problem.”
“Then, yes, please. That would be amazing.” Angie sighs out a relieved breath.
Connie swings straight into action. “Ozzie, let’s get your shoes on, and don’t dilly dally. We’ve got to get Josh to school on time.”
“Aww, it’s not fair. Why do I have to go to school and Ozzie stays at home?” Josh moans with a pout.
“We’ve been through this, Josh,” Angie says. “Ozzie’s pre-school in America breaks up earlier, which means he’s already finished for the summer. You don’t have long left of this term and then you get to spend more time with him. Okay?”
His bottom lip juts out. “Okay.” He gives his mum a hug.
“Now, off you go and get your things together.” Angie turns her son around toward the door.
“I’ll help you, Josh,” Ozzie says, all excited. My little dude idolises him, and my heart near enough explodes while they make bets on who can be ready first.
Angie opens a kitchen drawer and soon finds what she’s looking for. “Here’s the spare key to the house, Connie, if you don’t mind picking up his bag. It’s by the stairs and ready to go.”
“Sure.”
“And you might as well hang on to the key, seeing as we’ll be working together now. I’ll get another one cut for Calla.”
Connie grins. “Of course.”
Ozzie holds his palm for me to high-five. “See you later, little dude.”
“Bye, Dad.” He raises his hand to Angie as he leaves. “Bye, Angie.”
“Bye, Oz.”
“We’ll see you in a while,” Connie says.
“Thanks, Connie.” I smile.
As the boys follow her out the door, Angie calls after Josh, “Be good for Connie.”
“Okay.” He waves.
“She’s amazing.” Angie’s head bobs towards the door as they leave.
“I struck lucky there.”
“You really did, and I appreciate you sharing her. She seems like a lovely girl and is fantastic with the boys. A real natural.” She waits a beat before adding, “Thanks again for yesterday. It’s made a real difference to us already. Josh seems happier now he knows Agatha isn’t coming back.”
I grin, “No problem. Happy to help.”
Angie chews the corner of her bottom lip in thought. “So, what are your plans now Ash and Calla are away for a while?” Angie says, taking a seat beside me.
I blow out a hard breath. “To be honest, I’ll see how it goes. Ash said me and Max could stay here, which is what I want to do for now.”
She nods. “That’s good to hear. I like having you around.” Her face blushes and she half smiles. It’s cute.
“How are things with Chelsea?” she asks.
I huff out a laugh. “We’ve split, but I guess you already know that.”
“Only what Cal tells me.”
“I thought as much.” I smirk. “I was gonna talk to you about it yesterday, but you had enough on your plate without hearing my shit.”
She leans in, placing the palm of her hand on my knee. “I would have listened. This friendship thing works two ways,” she says, raising her brows before sitting back in her seat.
“Did you know she hasn’t been in touch since she left me?”
Her brows raise again. “Hasn’t she called Oz?”
I sit back, stretch my legs out under the table, and cross them at the ankle. “Not once.”
“Oh my God. Has he asked for her?”
“Once or twice, but he seems okay. While I was away on tour, Chelsea would disappear for days and leave him with Connie. I think he’s used to it.”
“Jesus. That’s shocking. I don’t know how she can do that to her child.” Angie shakes her head, biting the corner of her mouth. “And how are you doing?”
“I’m okay. Chelsea and I haven’t been a real couple in a while. I’m only sad for Oz. She doesn’t seem to give a shit about him.”
Angie gets up from her seat, places herself onto my lap, hugs me close and sets my pulse racing in the process.
This is new. We’ve become better friends over the last few years, but she’s never been this forward.
Maybe it has something to do with yesterday.
There was a shift between us, and I’ve got to say, I like her confidence today. It reminds me of the Angie of old.