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‘Perhaps it’s time we pushed for our own change, know what I mean?’ He pulls a half smile, seeming to recognise that’s so much easier said than done. But there is a spark about him I haven’t seen for years. And I’m not about to dampen it.
Gethin grabs the picture of his mates and places it in the gap on the collage. ‘Aw, did I tell you about Fran and Jarvis? So unlikely. Ben says they’re a total sop-fest.’
‘Perhaps they can head for a double wedding with Grace and Sebbie, if we’re talking unlikely couples.’
‘Come on, Mum. No way will Fran be letting Wasteman get in the way of her designer career. As for Grace and Sebbie, apparently, they’ve worked through a lot of shit and realised after all this time that they want to be together much more than they don’t. That’s well mature, isn’t it?’
I nod, amused at Gethin’s appreciation of this middle-aged maturity. I really should get in touch with Grace. She has been a proper friend, whatever I think of her choices. I take a sip of wine and look at the picture.
‘So, the jury’s still out for Fran and Jarvis. Is there a sugar daddy for Ben?’ I joke.
Gethin shakes his head. ‘Fucking hell, Mum! For a lesbian feminist who’s been single for about a million years, you don’t half go in for fairy-tale endings. Ben has this like High Maths Gay Hip-Hop Persian Prince thing that will take him places I can’t even dream of.’
‘And what about Emily?’ I watch his expression tighten.
‘Hmm, she wants me to go for a drink. Fuck knows why – she’s so been hard on my case lately.’
I think about how Emily was on the phone, taking my side against Gethin for reasons I didn’t try to fathom. But now it comes to me. ‘Well, at the risk at sounding old-school, I think Emily would like you back, you know.’
Gethin’s eyes widen, his face colouring. He shakes his head.
‘You don’t think so?’ I prompt.
‘She’s got a funny way of showing it. Honestly Mum, she’s rivalled you for getting at me.’
I feel a stab of hurt at him saying that. Ignore! ‘She doesn’t seem to be letting you go, put it that way.’
He nods, thoughtful. ‘I do really like her. I was proper gutted when she dumped me and I’m not over it yet.’ He pauses, as if playing with the idea of Emily now. ‘The thing is, she’s totally screwy. Part of me would love to get back with her, but she’s too, well, needy. I don’t exactly need needy right now. As in I’ll let her down and feel like an arsehole.’
‘What about Jez?’ I ask.
He smiles, a big broad smile. Ah, so handsome. ‘She has actually made me a proposition.’
‘Oh yeah? Not marriage, I take it?’
He snorts his laughter. ‘That would be so the opposite of Jez. I don’t fancy her as much as Emily, but she is sexy, and she’s turning into a real mate, know what I mean?’
‘That sounds like just what you need.’
He nods and goes into thought mode again.
‘So, come on Mum, what about you?’
‘Me?’
‘Yeah. As in, you’ve finished bringing me up, embarking on a new artistic career. You split up with Karen when I was about seven, with no love interest since, as far as I’m aware. About time?’
I take a drink to cover my blush. ‘You haven’t told me about Jez’s proposition yet.’
‘I’ll tell you when you answer my question. What about this artist woman, lending you CDs and liking your work?’
I feel the blood rush to my face. Hopeless to try to hide it.
‘Go on, what’s she like? Have you got a photo of her?’
‘Of course, I haven’t. Her name’s Gabriella, but it’s her work, the studios that interest me.’
‘Yeah, Mum. Right.’ Gethin makes a show of suppressing his amusement.
