‘Unfortunate.’
‘I thought I could stay with you. At the house,’ he said casually.
‘Stay with me?’ echoed Anna, stopping dead. They were at the Market Cross in the centre of Chichester, where the four pedestrian roads met. A great meeting spot, a favourite with teenagers, and today foreign exchange students in particular. Anna could hear the gabble of French and Spanish, mixed in with the English voices of other tourists and shoppers. She took off her sunglasses and looked at Mark. Was he being serious?
‘It will give me a chance to spend some quality time with Luke,’ said Mark, a defensive tone creeping in. ‘I haven't seen him in ages.’
Anna bristled. ‘A whole year.’
‘I do my best,’ said Mark lamely, ‘but let's not get into all that now. I'm here to try and make up for lost time. Come on, it'll be fine.’
‘I don't think it's a good idea. I haven't got enough room anyway.’
‘I can kip on the sofa, not a problem,’ replied Mark Then winking, said, ‘Failing that, I'm sure we could both still share the same bed, in a purely platonic way of course.’
‘There must be a B&B somewhere, or what about a Travelodge?’ said Anna, choosing to ignore the last comment. Replacing her sunglasses, relieved that her feet responded, she headed down East Street towards home.
‘Come on, Anna. What's the big deal? Besides, you know Luke will be really pleased if I stay with you and him.’
‘You can't just waltz back into our lives, acting like everything is hunky-dory,’ said Anna, looking straight ahead, still walking. ‘You haven't exactly been the greatest advertisement for fatherhood. The occasional phone call or sometimes an email.’
‘I was hoping you'd be a bit more understanding.’ There was a coolness in his voice. ‘I didn't want to have to force you to agree but you seem to be forgetting one tiny detail. It is actually my house. I don't think you've got a lot of choice. I am entitled to stay in my own home, you know.’
‘Your house, but my home. It’s never been your home. You bought it for me and Luke. No, you’re not staying. In fact, let’s go back into town and find you a B&B.’
‘You’ll have to pay then. I can’t afford it. Money’s a bit tight.’
‘Money’s a bit tight yet you’ve managed to afford a flight here! Don’t give me that, Mark. You’re not broke and you’re not staying with me.’
‘Thing is, my case is already there. Let’s go and get it and tell Luke you’re kicking me out.’
She knew that he was fully aware she didn’t have the heart to do it, not because she felt sorry for him, but because Luke would be hurt. Anna let out a sigh and ground to a halt.
‘You're such a shit at times.’ She paused before finally agreeing. ‘Okay, but you're on the sofa.’
‘That's my girl. You know it makes sense.’ He had the effrontery to grin and then hug her. An embrace that he held just a moment too long for her liking. ‘Come on then, let's get home. I'm starving. What's for tea?’
‘You're letting him do it to you again,’ grumbled Zoe. Anna could hear the irritation in her voice over the phone. Zoe was more than just the wife of Anna's brother, she had become a friend and confidante over the years, especially so when Anna's marriage was in its darkest hour.
‘I don't have a lot of choice,’ said Anna in a low voice, looking over her shoulder to make sure her bedroom door was shut properly.
‘You're letting him take control. Christ, he's only been back for ten minutes and already he's calling the shots.’
‘It's not like that, honestly,’ protested Anna, dropping her skirt and blouse into the linen bin. ‘He's Luke's father, I can't get in the way of that. Hang on one sec.’ She put the phone on the bed as she quickly pulled on a fresh t-shirt from the drawer. ‘Okay, I'm back.’
‘Well, don't pretend you're happy about him staying,’ said Zoe.
‘I'm not. Look, I'd better go, I've left him downstairs while I've nipped up to get changed out of my work clothes. I'm really sorry about tonight.’
‘That's all right. It's karaoke night at the pub, so we won't be missing much.’
‘I'd say we've had a lucky escape then,’ said Anna, as she tucked the phone under her chin and wriggled into her jeans.
‘Look, you do what you feel is best, but please don't let Mark walk all over you. Do it because you want to, not because he wants you to,’ said Zoe. Her voice softened. ‘All I'm saying is to be on your guard. You know what a sweet-talking charmer he can be.’
Having had a rather restless night's sleep, Anna woke early and tiptoed downstairs. Mark was still fast asleep on the sofa but she was surprised to find Luke already up and sitting at the kitchen table.
‘Morning.’ Anna dropped a kiss on top of her son’s head. ‘You okay? Thought you’d still be tucked up in bed, fast asleep.’ She pushed the kitchen door closed and spoke softly so as not to disturb Mark.
Luke shrugged. ‘Couldn’t sleep.’
Anna filled the kettle and flicked it on to boil. ‘Are you okay with your dad being here?’ She took a seat next to him so they could speak quietly.
‘Yeah, ’course I’m pleased to see him. It just feels a bit odd.’
‘He’s been away for a year now, it’s bound to feel a bit strange him being around.’ Anna could identify with that feeling. It felt quite surreal last night as the three of them sat around the kitchen table sharing a Chinese takeaway.
‘He seems different,’ continued Luke. ‘A bit more interested in things, maybe.’
‘It’s been just you and me for a long time now, I suppose it’s bound to feel a bit odd, but it’s good he’s taking an interest in what you’ve been doing, isn’t it?’
Luke nodded and gave his mum a small smile. ‘Yeah. I mean, even when Dad was still living with us, it was almost like he wasn’t. Even then it was just, like, me and you. It was always you who gave me lifts, always you who came to parents’ evenings, sports days, that sort of thing. Dad was always too busy.’
Anna nodded. She couldn’t really deny it. Mark’s involvement with Luke had been sporadic. He was there when it suited him and him alone. More times than she cared to remember, she had felt like a single parent. When Mark had decided to move to America, it hadn’t really changed anything. Her and Luke had carried on as they were.
‘I don’t know how long your dad is back for,’ began Anna. She didn’t want Luke getting his hopes up that Mark would be around for any length of time. ‘Just try to take a day at a time with him. He may have to go back for work or something, you know that, don’t you?’
Luke gave wry smile. ‘It’s all right, Mum, I know what you’re trying to say.’
‘Do you?’
‘I know I can’t depend on him totally, not at the moment anyway,’ replied Luke, slowly spinning his mobile round on the table with his finger. ‘But I want to give him the chance. You never know, things may be better now.’
Anna slipped her arm around Luke’s shoulder and gave him a squeeze. ‘Okay, just don’t get your hopes too high, that’s all I’m saying.’
The sound of raised voices and shrieking seeped out through the front door as Anna stood on the doorstep, waiting for her knock to be answered.
‘Morning, Titch,’ smiled Nathan, opening the door and standing to one side so she could come in.