Page 153 of How To Not Need You

“Glad we're all on the same page.”

Megan laughs. Good. Progress at least.

“I am really sorry about that day,” she says to Liv.

Liv shakes her head. “Your hot water system broke.”

“Still. Not exactly how I imagined meeting you.”

“Could’ve been worse.”

Megan raises an eyebrow. “How?”

Liv opens her mouth before seeming to reconsider her answer. “I'll get back to you.”

“Fair enough.” Megan laughs

“And for what it’s worth, I'm sorry I ran away like you'd answered the door holding his severed head.”

Megan laughs. “Honestly? I probably would've done the same thing.”

“Thank you.”

“Don't encourage her,” I say. They both look at me. At exactly the same time. Right. This could become a problem. Liv's mouth twitches. Megan sees it and starts laughing again. And that's it. All the weirdness I've been expecting is apparently over. That was suspiciously easy.

“MUM!”

Tilly comes flying across the lawn and hits Megan at full speed. Megan catches her with an oof and somehow manages not to fall over.

“Hey, Til.”

“I MISSED YOU.”

“I saw you yesterday.”

“I still missed you.”

Tilly gives her maybe three seconds of affection before apparently remembering she has more important business. She spins towards Liv.

“LIV!”

“Why are you yelling? I'm right here.”

“BEN CAN MAKE BALLOON ANIMALS.” Liv looks at me.

I look at her. “He can what?”

“HE MADE A GIRAFFE.” Tilly grabs her hand. “Come on!”

“Hang on. Ben?”

“YES.”

“Our Ben?”

“How many Ben’s do you know?” I ask.

Liv points at me as Tilly starts dragging her away. “I have questions.”