‘Come in,’ Emily welcomed Alisha the following afternoon as she opened her front door. ‘So pleased you came. I wondered if you would.’
‘Thank you, but I can’t stay for long,’ Alisha said straight away, slightly out of breath from walking from next door.
‘Come through into the living room. We’re in here.’
‘We?’ Alisha asked, stopping still in the hall.
‘Yes. Robbie and me,’ Emily laughed. ‘Don’t look so worried.’
‘Oh, I see,’ Alisha replied and cautiously followed her into the living room. Emily noticed how tense she was, as if attending an interview rather than a neighbour’s for coffee.
‘Do sit down. Make yourself at home,’ Emily encouraged. ‘What would you like to drink?’
‘Just a glass of water please.’
‘Sure?’
‘Yes. Thank you.’
Emily left Alisha in the living room perched on the edge of the sofa and went into the kitchen to pour two glasses of water. Robbie toddled after her. Returning, she set the glasses on the occasional table within reach. ‘So how are you?’ she asked.
‘Not too bad, I manage.’
‘You know if you ever need anything to let me know. I’m on extended maternity leave.’
‘That’s kind, but Amit sees to everything I need.’
‘OK,’ Emily said. She took a sip of her water and wondered what to say next. The poor woman seemed so ill at ease. ‘Good boy,’ Emily told Robbie who was playing with his toys, then smiled at Alisha. An awkward silence fell, and then Emily asked, ‘You don’t have children?’
Alisha shook her head.
Another silence before Emily asked, ‘Are you sure you wouldn’t like a hot drink?’
‘No thank you. Did you ever find your cat?’
‘No. But she’s microchipped and my mobile number is on her collar, so I’m still hopeful someone will spot her and contact me.’
Alisha nodded.
‘I miss her,’ Emily said. ‘She’s like one of the family. We had her before we had Robbie.’
Alisha gave another small nod. ‘I’d like a pet, but Amit won’t have one.’
‘Oh? Why is that?’ Emily asked, seizing the chance to make conversation.
‘He doesn’t like them. Says they carry germs. My immune system is weak, so I have to be careful.’
‘I see. Although I think if pets are well looked after they don’t carry many germs, do they?’
‘I don’t know, but Amit won’t change his mind.’ As Alisha took a sip of her water, Emily saw her hand tremble.
‘So Amit looks after you and treats you well then?’ she asked.
‘Yes.’
‘What does he do in that shed every evening? He’s often still in there when I go to bed.’
‘Research,’ she replied without hesitation.
‘Research on what?’
‘The disease I have. It’s a rare genetic condition and hardly any research has gone into finding a cure. We lost our only son to it five years ago.’
‘Oh, I’m sorry. I’d no idea.’
‘We don’t really talk about it. It’s too upsetting, especially now I’m going the same way.’
‘I am sorry,’ Emily said again and felt even more uncomfortable. ‘Do you have friends and family who can help and support you?’
‘A few.’
Robbie came over and tried to engage Alisha by placing a toy on her lap. She removed it straight away and set it on the floor. Then stood. ‘Thank you for the drink, but I must go now.’
‘Really, already? You‘ve only just arrived.’
‘I can’t be away from home for long.’
Was it Robbie’s presence, after losing her own son? Emily wondered, as she saw Alisha to the door. But if that was the reason for her sudden departure, why come at all? She had known she had a child.
‘If it’s difficult for you to go out, perhaps I could come to you next time?’ Emily offered as she said goodbye. But Alisha was already heading down the path, eager to get home.
‘Fifteen minutes, that was all,’ Emily told Ben as they sat at the dinner table that evening. Robbie was in his highchair.
‘You made a good impression then,’ Ben laughed.
‘I wondered if it was Robbie, you know, reminding her of the son she lost, but I don’t think so. She seemed on edge from the start and when I suggested I went over there next time, she blanked me.’
‘I don’t think she wants to be your best friend Em,’ Ben said dryly. ‘At least you tried. Would you like to hear my news now?’
‘Yes, of course. I’m sorry, I’ve been talking non-stop since you walked in. I’ve been a bit short of conversation today.’
‘I’ve got the promotion – marketing manager for the whole of the South East. It comes with a decent pay rise.’
‘Well done!’ Emily cried, delighted. ‘That’s fantastic. I’m so proud of you.’ Leaning across the table, she planted a big kiss on his cheek. Robbie chuckled.
‘It’ll mean more travelling, but I’ll keep it to the minimum. I don’t intend to leave you and Robbie alone any more than I have to.’
‘We’ll be fine, don’t you worry. I’m just glad the company has recognized your worth.’
‘I thought we could celebrate at the weekend. Go out for a meal somewhere nice, if your parents are free to babysit.’
‘Great. I’ll phone them just as soon as we’ve finished dinner. All we need now is for Tibs to return and my week will be complete.’
Ben’s smile faded. ‘Em, you realize Tibs might not come back. I mean, if she’s been run over. She’s been gone some time now.’
‘I know, but at present I’m staying with the hope she’s in someone else’s house.’
He nodded and wiped Robbie’s mouth. ‘Where would you like to go to eat? You decide.’
‘There’s the new Italian on the High Street, or The Steak House – that’s always reliable. Or we could drive out to The Horse & Carriage …’
Twenty minutes later, Emily had decided on L’Escargot, a French restaurant they’d been to once, prior to having Robbie, and had been wanting an excuse to return. Having cleared away the dishes, she went through to the living room to phone her parents to see if they were free to babysit at the weekend, while Ben took Robbie upstairs to get him ready for bed. Her parents’ answerphone was on, as it often was now they’d both retired and were out enjoying themselves. Emily left a message. They’d return her call either this evening or, if they were back late, first thing in the morning. She could rely on them; they loved babysitting Robbie, their only grandchild.
As she replaced the handset, she heard the letter box snap shut. Seven-thirty,