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“Nothing! It’s nothing,” I insist.
“Bullshit. Tell me now.” His tone compels me to talk.
“I’m nervous about going back...there.” I gulp. Baxter nods once and pulls out his phone.
“It’s me,” he barks to whoever’s on the end of the line. “Change of plan. I’m taking her to my suite…I don’t give a fuck! Is it ready? Well then…Yes, if she’s okay with that. I’ll let you know…Yep, bye.”
He hangs up and looks at me.
“Sorted, babe. Anything else?”
“What’s happening with Phoenix?”
“She’s with Cordelia for the rest of the week. Longer if needed. We switched around the holiday arrangement so that she’ll have her now. She’s having a great time and I’ve spoken to her every day.”
“What did you tell her?”
“That you were poorly and didn’t want her to catch it. She thought you were very sensible.” He laughs lightly. “I promise, she’s okay. And I’m going to visit at the weekend and take her out, so you have nothing to worry about. I’ll bring her home as soon as you’re ready.”
“Thank you,” I whisper, suddenly overcome by emotion. “What’s the change of plan then?”
“You’re coming with me to my hotel. The house isn’t ready for you yet anyway, so you don’t need to worry about that. We’ll go relax in the lap of luxury for a while. It’ll be so good, you won’t want to leave!”
“Because the Royal Circus is slumming it?” I quip.
“Exactly.” He winks at me, making a genuine laugh bubble up.
That’s when I realise, I might just be okay after all.
Charlotte’s Diary
14/07/22
Somehow, I have survived year 1 as a Fresher at university! Just. Barely.
Not going to lie, the workload has been absolutely insane. The older Phoenix gets, the more time and attention she demands. I never thought that those early days of spiralling darkness and depression would actually have turned out to be ‘easier’ in some ways.
It’s been hard keeping up with the demands of a full time literature degree. I think there’s more work involved there than any other subject, besides medicine and law I guess. Add to that, raising a one year old alone and trying to keep a roof over our heads...well let’s just say I’ve been a typical student many a night and just eaten beans.
I know, I know, the joke is that students just eat beans on toast, but I couldn’t afford the bread. No joke. And when we were low on gas, I wouldn’t heat the beans either, preferring to save energy for keeping Phoenix warm.
BUT we’ve survived. And will continue to do so.
