Page 25 of Tears of Gold

Abs looks at me blankly. “What do you mean?”

“They are moving us into the London residence, or whatever, but I know they are doing it to test me because today’s a bit of a big day. They are trying to scare me off. I won’t let them.”

Abi gives me a sarcastic round of applause and I shoot her my best stink eye.

“Remind me why I call you?”

“Because you love me. And you have no one else.”

I scowl. “Well fuck, Abi. Are you coming to help me? I’ve got a meeting at the Tate today, I can’t miss it.”

“Okay, I’m coming. But you and I need to have a chat about whether you’re eating. You look terrible.”

“I know. It’s been a tough few weeks.”

Abi nods. “I know, babe. I’ll grab the first train. Adam will look after the kids for us.”

“Thank you. I appreciate it so much.”

“I know. You owe me. Try and siphon me off some diamonds from the Fairclough stash or something.”

I roll my eyes and hang up.

Right. Moving house.

I am not ringing Elijah. I can do this.

Fuck.

Abi arrives just in time for me to grab her into a tight hug, kiss the living shit out of her and then run off telling her to keep an eye on all my art supplies that are being shoved into boxes down in the studio. I’m sure there are probably more important things to worry about being packed, but I’d be mad if they got damaged. I’ve got some canvases for Whitlocks to sell and I’m not exactly producing a lot these days.

My phone rings as I walk from the tube to campus. I’ve missed lectures but I still need to meet Gerard. “Faith, darling.”

Bollocks. How did Jennifer get my number?

“Hi.” I reach for my packet of cigarettes and light one up, ignoring the loud tut of a woman with a pram walking past.

“How is moving day going? I’m sure you have lots to organise.”

The goddam bitch. What is wrong with this family?

“It’s marvellous.” I drag in smoke wishing it was some form of pathogen poison I could send down the phone to mega bitch on the other end.

Wait. It is some sort of poison.

Never mind.

“My best friend is just watching over everything for me while I attend my meeting at the Tate. It’s a busy day for us.” I make sure to underline the word us in dripping acid. “But, it’s perfect. I can’t wait for us to be settled this evening and enjoy our new home.”

My words are met with silence. But not for long enough. “And have you seen the paper, darling? I’m so excited that we can start organising the wedding now.”

It’s not working, bitch.

“Me, too. I’ve got so many wonderful ideas. I thought if we hold it at Bowsley we could use the conservatory as the venue. After all it’s where we had our first kiss, and actually Eli has told me it’s where he fell in love with me. Did you know that, Jennifer? He fell in love with me right under the glass roof of Bowsley.”

Stick that. Bitch.

“Now, Faith, please call me mother. I know you don’t have one of your own.”