Straightening my back, I train my ears to the buzzing from the hall where I left my bag. “It must be my phone. I have it on silent at work.”
Pulling the phone from my bag, I notice the late hour on the screen and several missed calls from Justin.
“Hello.”
“Where have you been? I've been ringing you. I even called the office, and no one answered.”
“I said everything I needed to say this morning.” I stand in the hallway and hope Callum doesn’t hear our conversation.
“So you’re divorcing the kids as well, are you? I’ll tell that to your sick son, shall I?”
My throat closes as my body goes rigid. “What’s wrong?”
“Cairen’s not well. But you’d know that if you cared to come home. Where are you, anyway?”
There’s no point in dragging Cal into this mess. “I’m at a friend’s house. I’ll come home now. What’s wrong with him?”
“He has a temperature and tummy ache and has been drowsy since I collected him from your mum’s. He’s been asking for you.”
My chest burns with guilt. I close my eyes and swallow the prickling lump in my throat.
“I’ve run out of medicine. Can you pick some up? If it’s not too much trouble for you.” The anger and resentment in his voice is deafening, causing the burn to rise into my mouth.
“I’ll come home now.” I end the call and look up at Cal leaning against the doorjamb.
“Everything all right?”
“I have to go. Cairen isn't well.”
He strides over to comfort me. My arms slip around his waist, and he lifts my chin to press his lips against mine. His tongue flickers in my mouth, and I wish I had more time with him, but my kids come first.
“I’ll call in sick tomorrow. I’ll call you when I’m setting off.” The words choke up in my throat as the lump rises again. I grab my belongings and step into the dark night.
My car clicks when I press the button on my key. Cal stands in the doorway with his hands in his pockets, watching me buckle up and start the engine. The light from his hall illuminates him in a soft glow. A yellow aura radiates his body just like the sun radiates heat and light.
I back out of the parking bay and spin the car around. His light fades the further up his street I get as I drive into the setting sun.
* * *
“Mummy. Where have you been?”Cassie asks as she walks through the hall in her pyjamas with a glass of milk.
She walks by, and I kiss her forehead. “Just working late and then called at a friend’s house. I’m sorry I’m late home, sweetheart. I’ll come up and tuck you in soon.”
What was I thinking? As if I could have stayed out and not come home. Not told the kids where I was. The guilt weighs heavily on my shoulders, to think my son’s been ill while I’ve been enjoying myself, and I should have been here.
I take my shoes off. Justin walks into the hallway and glares at me. “Did you forget you were a mother? Or do you just not care about them, either?”
“Justin, please. Not now.” I’m not interested in what he has to say. All I want is to comfort Cairen. Avoiding his gaze, I walk by, but he drags me back, digging his fingers into my arm.
“You’re going to have to deal with me at some point. I’m not going anywhere, and I’m certainly not giving up this house. Or giving you a divorce, for that matter.” He spits in my face as he speaks, and I turn my cheek. “If you think you’re screwing me for half my business and this house, you have another thing coming.”
“Mum.” Cairen stands in the living room doorway, looking small and frail with a teddy in one hand and a bottle of water in the other. “My belly hurts.” His voice is weak. Grey clouds mask his sky-blue eyes, making them dull and lifeless.
Justin lets me go. I kneel in front of Cairen and give him a hug. “I know, sweetheart. I’ve got you some medicine.”
I walk into the kitchen, place my bag on the worktop, and look for the medicine.
Justin picks Cairen up, sitting him next to my bag.