Page 49 of The Second Chance Supper Club

‘Keep in touch, yeah?’ Trevor continued bravely.

‘Of course. You too.’

‘Bye.’ The word sounded small, sad.

‘Bye, Trevor.’

And despite her strength and her sound decision, she couldn’t help having a good cry as she turned off the phone. Grappling for a tissue in her pocket, she’d wait a few minutes before heading back down to the house.

She sat, gathering her emotions, as she looked out over her garden, where Adam had actually taken the time to stripe the grass, and she saw the bold summer flowers were bursting into bloom.

‘Have you told him? That you’re not going back?’

He’d guessed right. Adam was there in the kitchen waiting, with a big mug of tea made for her, as she got back in from the garden shed ten minutes later.

Cath nodded, unsure as to how her voice would come out.

She popped her empty gin glass down on the side. ‘Well, that’s good.’ He passed her the mug.

‘Thanks.’ Feeling suddenly exhausted, she took up a seat at the dining table, Adam following suit.

‘I’ve been worried about you … and Dad,’ he confessed. ‘Wondering what next for you both.’

‘Oh, Adam …’ She placed her hand over his. ‘I’m so sorry, about everything.’

She tightened her grip on the mug, soon she’d find the right words to explain her decision, but for now it was important to let her son speak.

‘When I was away, I really thought that it’d be the best thing … you two getting back together. This fling of Dad’s to just fizzle out, and us all to get back to normal … like it was. But since coming here … seeing you here, making friends, finding a new life … I can see you’re happy, Mum. Happier than I’ve seen you in such a long time.’

‘Oh …’ She hadn’t expected that from him. Tears misted her eyes.

‘Dad’ll be feeling pretty shite, I bet, after all the crap he’s caused. But that’s no reason to fall in with it all.’ Adam paused to look at her. ‘I’m glad you’ve told him that you’re not going back. Well done, Mum. Well done for sticking up for yourself.’ ‘Oh, Adam … but what about you? What’s next for you?’

They were both a bit teary-eyed by now.

‘I’ll be okay. I’ve got my whole life ahead of me … plenty of new adventures to crack on with.’

‘But do you think this could be your home, your new base?’ Even with the mess, and the noise, she’d give this to him, her heart and her home, to make her son feel safe and secure once more. That was how it should be.

‘It’s cool for now, cheers, Mum. But hey, I’ve no real plans yet. Gonna see where life takes me, I suppose.’ He gave a small smile.

‘And you’re sure you’re okay? You will talk to me, Adam, if there’s ever anything …’ She hated to think he’d been keeping everything inside until last night, feeling he had to hide his feelings to protect her, too.

But then she suddenly realised, maybe that just meant he was growing up, that he was taking responsibility.

‘Let’s just say we’ll look out for each other, hey,’ said Adam wisely.

‘Yeah … and Dad too.’ Cath found she couldn’t hold on to the hate any longer.

‘Yep, and Dad too.’

Old team, new programme.

Chapter 29

Just as she thought Adam might well be staying with her for a good while, he announced that he was heading off back down to Leeds ‘for a bit’. After all that had recently happened, the decisions made, Cath wondered if he had been talking with his dad. Perhaps they’d had an open father-son chat, and that was a good thing. Apparently, he’d already booked a train ticket, one way, for the next day, Saturday. It was all sorted. ‘Yep, Dad’s given me the okay to stay with him. Apparently, he’s in some new rented flat.’ So, they had been in touch. At least all three of them were communicating at last.

‘I’m not quite sure how I feel about living with him in his poky new place, though – I Google mapped it,’ he gave a wry grin. ‘But hey, I haven’t got many options, right now. And,’ he added, raising his eyebrows, ‘who the hell knows what’s going on with Steph, lately? Anyhow, I’ve been doing a bit of thinking myself, and I’ve realised there’s more chance getting a job Leeds way, and it’ll be easier to get to interviews around the country from there, too.’