Free Approaching Zero by R.T Broughton

what else—a dumping ground would be a more realistic description. Kathy could feel all of the good work of the bath being systematically undone, and she didn’t know whether this was because she was expected to put a strange woman up in her house, who may have come from anywhere in the world, or because of the power that this woman would have. Suddenly her head was full again, but the psychologist in her, never off duty, was looking after her once again and a little voice told her that she really just needed to go to bed, get some proper sleep, and start again when she was fully rested. She slowly dragged herself off the sofa, the strain highlighting every single pain caused by the collision, but then the shrill ringing of the landline in the corner of the room nearly knocked her down again. She considered leaving it, but she knew who it would be, not because she was psychic but because there was only one other person it could be and she would be worried sick.
    “Hello,” she answered sleepily, perching on the thin lip of the dusty cabinet beside her.
    “Kathy?” She was right on both counts; it was her mum and the way she said her name betrayed the fact that she had been fretting about her daughter’s whereabouts.
    “Hi, Mum. Sorry I haven’t been in touch.”
    “That’s okay, honey. Just as long as you’re okay.”
    “I’m always okay,” Kathy said, manufacturing a strength in her voice that she didn’t know she was capable of. She also managed a little giggle, shrugging off her mum’s concerns in the way that years of practice had informed. “I was out with some friends from work last night. Feeling a bit rough today. Is everything okay?”
    “That’s great, baby. I can’t remember the last time you went out. Did you go anywhere nice?”
    “Just into town, you know. Few drinks. Have you been up to anything nice?”
    “Erm…” The pause was longer than normal, suspiciously so. “Actually, I wanted to tell you something, Kathy.” Another pause. “I’ve met someone. It’s early days and we’re taking it slowly, but his name’s Marcus and he’s beautiful. He’s a bit younger–”
    “How much younger?” Kathy didn’t mean to sound outraged, but the question leapt out of her before she could contain it.
    “He’s in his twenties. But that doesn’t matter, it’s–”
    “His twenties!”
    “Yes, he’s–”
    “How did you meet a man in his twenties?” Again, the high pitch of Kathy’s voice wasn’t intentional, but she couldn’t help herself.
    “We met online, but it turns out that he’s a friend of Jackie’s.”
    “Who the hell is Jackie?” This was just getting better and better.
    “You know Jackie.” Kathy didn’t. “She’s a friend.” Kathy had never heard of her. “Anyway, it’s been a few months now, so I thought it was time to let you know.”
    “A few months?”
    “I would really like you to meet him, sweetheart. He’s heard all about you. Maybe you could come over for dinner next week.”
    “Why didn’t you tell me?”
    Another pause. “To be honest, Kathy, it’s been really nice, you know, just having him to myself. You’re going to love him. He’s such a sweetheart. And you’re so serious with work.”
    Serious with work? Was that even a real expression?
    “How is work anyway? You used to tell me all about your clients and I haven’t heard anything for so long.”
    “It’s fine, Mum – good.”
    “So you’ll come, to dinner?”
    “I’ll think about it.”
    What came through the receiver next could only be described as lovers’ giggles and then, “I’ve got to go, Kathy.”
    “Mum?”
    “Let me know about dinner—get off, Marcus. Bye, sweetheart.”
    Dead line.
    “Yeah, bye, Mum,” Kathy said sarcastically, holding the receiver in the air and staring at it accusingly before replacing it in the cradle. She then puffed out her cheeks and said, “She didn’t even say–” But she was interrupted by the phone ringing again. She