‘Don’t you suppose it’s infuriating? We used to have a lot enjoyable collectively. And the children did too. Lila and Sid haven’t frolicked in ages. Each time I message you, you say you’ve received an excessive amount of work on. I do know it’s a busy time of yr for you however critically, it might’t be that dangerous. I really feel such as you’re fobbing me off.’

Joe shakes his head, virtually angrily.

‘That’s not what’s occurring. There’s rather a lot happening with my job that wants my consideration proper now.’ His remark hangs heavy, like there’s extra that he may say about work, or one thing that he’s not telling me. ‘However I’m additionally attempting to present you some house.’

‘I don’t need house! I miss you. I miss … our friendship.’

Joe’s gaze pins me to the spot and my abdomen swoops and I’ve to bodily sit on my fingers to cease myself from reaching throughout the desk for him. Why does he make me really feel this fashion?

‘I miss you too,’ he says softly. ‘However …’

Then he holds each fingers up, fingers unfold broad, palms going through me as if he’s pushing me away.

‘However what?’ I press.

Joe turns his head to the aspect, trying off into the space.

‘However your husband’s again—’

‘Ex-husband,’ I interrupt. ‘And I actually don’t see what he’s received to do with something?’

‘Oh for god’s sake, Sophie!’ Joe snaps.

I’ve by no means seen him like this earlier than and I flinch, eyes broad.

‘Sorry,’ he says, sitting again in his chair. ‘I didn’t imply to react like that. I’m simply attempting to present you house to cope with all this household stuff you’ve happening, that’s all. And I would like to guard myself, too.’

‘Defend your self from what?’ I ask quietly.

He sighs and is about to say one thing. After which my telephone rings.

I squirm and mouth I’m sorry and attain all the way down to my bag to examine it’s not an emergency about Lila.

It’s not. It’s Mark. Clearly I reject the decision.

‘You don’t have to get that?’ Joes asks.

I shake my head. ‘Keep it up,’ I say.

‘The place was I? Oh yeah, simply, oh I don’t know, Sophie. I—’

My telephone pings with a textual content.

God, who invented cell phones?

I hadn’t put it again in my bag and as I flip it over to mute it, Mark calls once more. Joe and I are each my display screen when his title flashes up.

‘It’s best to take it,’ Joe says in a good voice.

‘Completely not,’ I protest.

‘Simply take it,’ Joe says. And this time he sounds weary. ‘I would like to make use of the toilet anyway,’ and he will get up, chucks his serviette on the desk and leaves.

‘What?’ I say relatively irately down the telephone to Mark.

‘Hi there to you too.’

‘I’m busy, Mark. Not time.’

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