Chapter 1 #4
‘One of the girls, Jess, really doesn’t pull her weight in the flat,’ he added.
‘Sophie’s mentioned that before. Well, she told me how she’d come back from a heavy studying stint in the library to find heaps of unwashed dishes and dirty mugs left all over the kitchen surfaces.
Some of it was even mouldy, so it must have been shifted out from the girl’s bedroom.
Bless Sophie, all she’d wanted to do was go back, make a simple healthy supper for herself, and then chill out.
She hadn’t counted on having to clean the whole kitchen first.’
Whilst the issue was concerning, it was a relief that Will was opening up on this with Cath; sharing details not only about his own life but his daughters’ too. He’d seemed rather guarded in their early months. This felt like a breakthrough.
‘And, to make matters worse,’ he continued, ‘a lad was staying there, too. Jess had put her music on thumping loud, probably to drown out other noises from the bedroom. I think Sophie flipped at that point. There were words, a falling-out. Sophie sounds exhausted to be honest, and just needed to let off some steam with me. It’ll blow over, for sure.
But it’s tough, all those different personalities in one flat.
Like a melting pot, especially when she needs to study. ’
‘Yeah, that’s hard on her, though. On the build up to exams, too. Some people are so damned inconsiderate.’
‘I had to laugh, mind, she told me how she’d stacked the whole lot of dirty dishes back outside the lass’s bedroom door, so she and lover boy would find them on their way out. She must have been fuming.’
‘Good on her. Student life, hey.’ Crikey, she’d been going out with Trevor back in her student days, starting their adventures together, filled with hopes and dreams. She could never have imagined where life would end up taking her as she’d hit her fifties. Making a whole new chapter for herself.
But hey it wasn’t so bad, she looked over at Will who was loading the dishwasher as they chatted, those cannon-style curveballs had led her into the arms of this gorgeous chap.
As he straightened up, she moved to give him a quick peck on the cheek, just as Andreas and Dan came in carrying the empty casserole pan and several glasses.
‘Hey, I thought you two were clearing up not canoodling.’ Andreas was grinning as he spoke.
‘We were doing both.’ Cath laughed. ‘I can multitask.’
‘Well, that meal was a-maz-ing. Another incredible supper night, thank you. But we really ought to be making tracks,’ said Dan.
‘Yep, time for our beauty sleep,’ announced Andreas, stifling a yawn.
‘Some need it more than others.’ Dan gave a wink, as Andreas poked him in the ribs.
The girls arrived in the kitchen too, bringing yet more glasses and a couple of empty vino bottles with them. ‘Eeh, those steps are lethal in the dark,’ said Nikki.
‘Nothing to do with the amount of wine you’ve quaffed, lovely,’ said Dan drily.
‘Nothing at all,’ she responded, trying and failing to keep a straight face.
It was soon time for jackets on, hugs in the hall and fond farewells.
‘We mustn’t leave it so long for a supper night next time,’ said Andreas.
‘Agreed,’ said Nikki.
‘Oh yes, we’ll get our thinking caps on,’ added Dan. ‘I quite like a themed evening.’
The lads were great at coming up with ideas for hosting.
‘Ooh, I’d love that. But why don’t you all come over to mine first, maybe in the next couple of weeks, before my exams are full-on. I’ll see what Mum and Dad reckon.’ Lily, naturally, still lived at home. ‘I’m doomed to become a recluse for a while after that.’
‘Sounds lovely, but don’t pressure yourself, Lily. Whatever works best,’ Cath responded.
‘Yeah, just let us know, Lils. See you then, folks,’ said Andreas, addressing Cath and Will, giving a wave.
‘Bye all,’ replied Will, who was now stood with his arm gently around Cath.
‘It’s been wonderful, thanks again,’ added Dan. ‘Come on then, girls, we’ll chaperone you up the street.’
And the four of them set off, arm in arm.
‘They’re great, aren’t they?’ Cath was always left with a warm glow after their get-togethers.
Will was standing beside her at the threshold, seeming reluctant to head off himself.
And that was lovely, too. Hopefully he’d want to stay.
Another night of getting to know each other, both body and mind.
The mental monkey on her shoulder cranked things up again.
Though everything seemed great, and she was in such a happy place right now, was it almost too good?
Past experience had taught her that love could fail, even when you’d thought it was there for the long term.
Despite the strength of feeling she had for Will, and that he appeared to have for her, those nagging fears of whether this could last were hard to shake off.
Where the hell would it leave the supper club, and her new life in the village, if the two of them broke up?
Had she been a bloody fool to rip the plaster off her torn-up heart so soon?