Free Chasing Charlie by Linda McLaughlan Page A

warn my first of the incoming spoilt missile or distract her. As it was, it all happened too fast for me to stop it. Henry went to barrel into his father from behind but in the second before he made contact, his dad must have heard him – or more likely the squawking from the nanny – and half turned, just as Henry made contact, his dad’s elbow fitting neatly into the socket of Henry’s right eye. Henry reeled back, clutching his eye and screaming. Only then did my feet get into gear and I ran over to join the chaos. As I pulled up short of the group, the first fixed me with an icy stare.
    â€˜Get back to the extras, Sam,’ she said, before motioning to the runner to fetch an ice pack from inside. I turned to go but she said my name again. It was really noisy with Henry going on and on, the producer flapping about apologising to the client and no doubt bitterly regretting his poorly thought-out ‘sure, what a great idea to have your son and his friends as the extras – he’ll love it!’ But I heard her all right. I could probably hear her 100 yards away, just speaking in her usual voice. There was something about firsts that always made you hear what they had to say. Something to do with consequences and all hell breaking loose, and being ever so slightly terrified of them at all times – something like that.
    I turned back. She wasn’t looking at me but at the ground. There, just behind Henry’s anguished stomping feet, was my phone, the screen all lit up and blindingly bloody obviously on . Oh crap.
    I scooped it up, fumbling to press the off switch.
    â€˜Oops,’ I said, cringing. The first didn’t say a thing; she didn’t have to. Her look, cutting straight through my flaky ex-boyfriend-stalking bullshit was cold and clear. Sort it out, Sam. Now.

14
    MARA
    Kate kissed Rosie and Luke as they sat on either side of Ed like two wriggling bookends.
    â€˜Kids, listen to me – you be good kids for Aunty Mara and Uncle Ed,’ she said, trying to get one of them at least to look her in the eye. ‘Lights out at half past seven, no later!’
    â€˜You’re in the way, Mum,’ Luke whined. He tried peering around her to see the television.
    â€˜Charming.’ Kate gave up and turned to me. I was standing in the doorway, watching the little scene with amusement. ‘There’s a treat in the tin for you two in the kitchen and wine somewhere. Cook yourselves whatever you want. Sorry I haven’t got anything prepared,’ she said to me, glancing at the book I was holding. ‘They might not want to read, Mars, not when the telly’s on, sorry.’
    â€˜I’ll give it my best shot. Anyway, Ed will listen, won’t you?’ I said, waving the book at the sofa. ‘It’s The Tiger Who Came to Tea !’
    â€˜Ooooh, my favourite!’
    â€˜Favewit! Favewit!’ Rosie chorused and jumped up and down next to Ed.
    â€˜Well, that one might work,’ Kate conceded. ‘She’s completely obsessed with cats at the moment.’
    â€˜See? Now push off out of here before you’re late, don’t worry about us.’
    We walked to the front door together.
    â€˜Have you heard from Dad lately?’ she asked, pulling on a rose coat that hugged her slim frame.
    â€˜No, have you?’.
    â€˜Not a squeak. It’s like he doesn’t have grandchildren,’ she said bitterly.
    I took her arm. ‘Don’t take it personally. You know he just shut down after Mum left. He isn’t in touch with anyone, it’s not just you.’
    â€˜I know.’ Kate threw her handbag over her shoulder, frowning. ‘I just worry about him.’
    â€˜There’s only so much we can do, Katie.’
    â€˜I suppose so.’
    â€˜Ed hasn’t seen him properly yet. When he does I’ll tag along and check in on him, how about that? Now, you stop your worrying.’
    â€˜I’ll try.’