It was just a cut. A tiny cut. Erin’s heart thumped in her chest, remembering the lurch of fear she’d felt when she saw the knife. She reminded herself that Annie was fine. They were walking home from the park, the twins skipping beside her. Erin hadn’t touched a drop of wine in two days, all too aware what a close call they’d had. She had kept busy: swimming, the soft-play centre, trips to the park. Anything to get out of the flat, and away from the temptation to drink. But they had to go home sometime. Andy would be back from work soon. Erin wasn’t sure he’d believed her mumbled excuse about the plaster on Annie’s finger. 

Holly was leaving as Erin and the twins got back. ‘Hello,’ she said. ‘Hello, you two.’

‘Hello,’ the twins said in unison. Erin nodded. She didn’t want to chat. 

‘They’re getting big,’ Holly said. 

‘Yes,’ Erin replied, ushering the twins on.

‘They look just like you,’ Holly smiled. ‘They don't look at all like Andy.’

Erin felt a new lurch of fear. She hurried the twins up the stairs. 

*

Angel paced up and down Muriel Spark Walk as she spoke to her father on the phone. ‘Mum is desperate to speak to you,’ he said. ‘She’s very upset.’

‘Dad,’ Angel said, trying to keep her anger in check. ‘She’s pretending to be upset.’ It disappointed Angel that her father still didn’t know, after 25 years of marriage, that her mother’s moods were manufactured, designed to manipulate.

‘What an awful accusation,’ her father replied.

Awful, maybe, but justified, Angel thought. Her mother was furious more than upset, she knew. Furious that Angel refused to play her games.

‘She’s fine, Dad,’ Angel sighed. ‘And you shouldn’t be doing her dirty work.’

‘I’m doing nothing of the sort,’ her father said. Angel had known he would. She rolled her eyes. As she did, she noticed a family walking towards her: a man, a woman, two children. As they drew closer, Angel recognised the man. It was Dr. Tavish.

He smiled at her as they passed, and Angel heard him say, ‘One of my students,’ to the woman who must be his wife. Angel hadn’t realised he had a wife. She only half-heard her father say, ‘You can’t keep treating Mum like this.’

*

As Holly waited for Aidan, she wondered if she’d said something to offend Erin. The way she’d rushed off had been odd. But perhaps it was going to be an odd day. Aidan had suggested they meet, without Jemma, to get to know each other. Holly worried they were getting carried away. They had talked as if his being their sperm donor was a done deal.

‘I’m not late, am I?’ Aidan appeared, looming over Holly’s table.

‘No,’ Holly replied. ‘I was early.’

‘Of course. You’re the sensible one,’ Aidan said, taking a seat. ‘Jemma’s the loose cannon.’

‘I don’t know if that’s…’ Holly began, in defence of her wife’s honour.

‘Come on,’ Aidan interrupted, with a smile Holly found herself matching. He has the kind of personality, she thought, that picks you up and carries you with it. Whether you like it or not.

They had a brief debate about who should pay for the coffees, which Aidan won. Holly watched him place their order, charming the barista with a smile.

‘I thought we should talk about terms,’ Holly said, when he returned with their drinks. ‘How involved you might want to be, should we go ahead…’

‘I want to be completely involved,’ Aidan said, interrupting her again. ‘I only want to do it if I’m completely involved.’ 

*

That girl is hopeless, Mateo thought with a sigh. Only Sergio could employ a girl that hopeless. He watched Katie sponge a customer’s jacket, dabbing uselessly at a red wine stain. She had hung up on a customer earlier. Then she’d dropped two large bowls of pasta.

Mateo looked for his son. Sergio was behind the bar. He was unshaven, with sunken eyes. Another late-night lock-in at my expense, Mateo thought. He couldn’t blame Sergio for enjoying himself. Hadn’t he been the same at his age? But the boy was irresponsible. Mateo had indulged him.

Mateo caught sight of Katie again. She seemed to be clearing a table’s plates while they were still eating. Mateo walked over. ‘I do apologise,’ he said. He took Katie by the elbow, steering her away from the table.

‘I brought the wrong order from the kitchen,’ Katie started. Mateo silenced her with a look. He led her to the small cupboard where his staff kept their jackets and bags.

‘Get your coat,’ he said. ‘You’re fired.’