Chapter 22
Chapter twenty-two
Ed
I've just settled in for a post-dinner episode of Bake Off over a cup of tea when there's a knock at the door and muffled voices outside.
Opening it, I find Jeanette, Carlos, Lutek, Mistral, and Elly with Jackson on her hip. I know immediately what's coming.
"I don't want to have to make this decision," I say, moving to close the door. "Go away."
"Wait!" says Jeanette and steps into the doorframe. "We're so sorry, my love. You have no idea."
The desire to push against her and force her backwards is thwarted by Elly stepping in close behind her before I can entertain it.
"Yeah," she says. "Mistral's a complete arsehole."
"It's true," agrees Mistral from the back of the pack.
"I'm not even talking to her anymore," says Elly. "Not directly."
"I am," says Lutek, "but I'm not happy about it."
Mistral looks a little crestfallen at this.
"Put the kettle on, will you lad?" says Carlos. "I'm parched."
And it's as much to do with me not being able to refuse Carlos anything than all their faces looking at me with the doe eyes of apology or, dare I admit it, hope, that I swing the door open with a sigh and let them in.