After a brief pause, Mr Larkins responded, ‘Of course. I’ll call her first thing.’
‘Thank you,’ Lauren said, before ending the call.
As she set her phone down, a movement in the doorway caught her eye. Ben stood there, peeking around the frame, his dark hair tousled from sleep. He looked so much like Jake, with those deep blue eyes, it made Lauren’s heart ache.
‘Oh, Ben, you startled me.’
‘Sorry,’ Ben said sheepishly as he padded into the room, his bare feet sinking into the thick carpet. ‘How come you didn’t come say goodnight?’
Lauren reached out, ruffling his hair. ‘I’m sorry, baby. I just got in. I didn’t want to wake you.’
Ben settled himself on the floor, crossing his legs beneath him. ‘Who’d you give a job to?’
Lauren froze, realising he must have overheard her call. ‘Ben, what have I told you about eavesdropping?’
He shrugged, the picture of innocence. ‘I wasn’t. I just heard.’
Lauren sighed. There was no point in scolding him. ‘If you must know, we’re short-staffed in housekeeping. Mr Larkins was updating me on an applicant who seemed like a good fit. That’s all.’
Ben seemed to accept this, his curiosity satisfied. Lauren stood, holding out her hand. ‘All right, mister. Back to bed. You’ve got school in the morning.’
He let her pull him to his feet, stifling a yawn. Moments later, Lauren tucked him in, smoothing the bed cover with her hand.
‘Hey, how about we go to the cinema tomorrow? Would you like that?’
Ben nodded, his eyes already heavy with sleep. Lauren leaned down, pressing a kiss to his forehead.
‘I love you. More than anything. Don’t ever forget that.’
‘Love you too, Mum,’ he mumbled, burrowing deeper into his pillow.
Lauren watched him for a moment, her heart full to bursting. It seemed like only yesterday she’d brought him home from the hospital, this tiny, perfect being. And now, in the blink of an eye, he was halfway to being a man.
‘It all goes by so fast,’ she whispered, blinking back sudden tears.
With a heavy heart, she switched off the light and pulled the door closed behind her. When she reached the living room, that’s when she heard it – the doorbell – ringing once, twice, three times. Loud, insistent. Echoed by a series of heavy thumps that sent Lauren’s heart racing.
Panic seized her. She spun, ready to run back to Ben, to keep him safe. But then the front door creaked open, and she heard the familiar sound of unsteady footsteps in the hallway.
Jake. Drunk, by the sounds of it.
Lauren shook her head as he stumbled into view.
‘For God’s sake, Jake. Are you drunk?’
He grinned at her, his eyelids fighting to stay open. ‘Drunk? Nah. I’m celebrating! S’not a crime.’
Lauren glanced back towards Ben’s room. ‘Keep your voice down. You’ll wake him.’
‘Wouldn’t want that,’ Jake slurred, dissolving into giggles.
Lauren clenched her jaw, her patience fraying. ‘I’m not doing this with you. Not when you’re like this.’
He pouted, swaying on his feet. ‘Used to think I was cute when I was drunk. Remember the good times, Laur?’
‘Of course, I—’
‘Do you?’ he cut her off, his eyes suddenly shining with unshed tears. ‘You’re never gonna let it go, are you?’
He reached for her, but Lauren stepped back, keeping him at arm’s length.
‘I’ve tried, Jake. I really have. But what you did . . . I can’t just forget it. It broke me.’
‘Then why am I still here?’ he demanded, petulant. ‘Why not just kick me out, instead of keeping me trapped in this gilded cage?’
Lauren sighed, the fight draining out of her. ‘Because you’re Ben’s father. I won’t let him suffer for our mistakes.’
Jake raised an eyebrow. ‘Our mistakes?’
‘Yes. Yours, for cheating,’ Lauren said, her voice hard. ‘And mine, for turning a blind eye.’
She spun around and walked into the living room. Jake trailed after her, his steps uneven.
‘You’re going to end up alone, you know,’ he said. ‘Bitter and lonely.’
Lauren met his gaze, unflinching. ‘You’re entitled to your opinion, Jake. But I don’t have to believe it.’
He snorted, stumbling over to the bar and pouring himself a generous measure of whisky. He tossed it back in one gulp, grimacing.
