Forever Mine

“Well, I was going to order a Chinese.”

He chuckles, shaking his head. “I hate to turn it down, but I have this thing that Maxine invited me to.”

I smile and grit my teeth. The mention of her name still grinds on me. It’s not that I’m jealous, but if I’d known, I would have left him a long time ago and maybe Callum and I would be together now.

He’s in Australia. My shoulders sag, knowing he’s over there with Priya. He should be happy. I just wish I was the one making him happy, but if there’s a chance for those girls to have both their parents living together and be a family, I won’t upset that.You couldn't if you wanted to. You don’t have his number, remember?

“So, what meals have you been cooking?” Justin asks, snapping me from my musings.

“Erm…” I think back to what I’ve cooked this week. “Beans on toast.”

Justin smirks. “What else?”

I tap my chin. “I did jacket potatoes.”

He nods with a smile. “Anything else?”

“Pasta Bolognese.”

His lips curl downwards as he nods, looking a little impressed.

“Okay, that one I bought pre-made. I just had to warm it up, but I made scrambled egg with smoked salmon one morning.”

“Maybe our kids won’t actually starve then when they’re here.” He turns and winks, and I shake my head. I’ll learn to cook a proper meal one day and tell him to shove it up his arse.

“We’re back,” Mum calls as she enters. Cassie and Cairen wander into the room.

“Don’t come in here. Everything is wet, and you have your best clothes on.” I usher them out into the kitchen, and Mum pops her head in to see our handiwork.

“Looks nice and fresh. Hello Justin.”

“Hey, Sue.”

“Come through, let me show you my new curtains?” I lead Mum into the dining room, where the curtains drape over a chair.

Mum rubs the fabric between her fingers, inspecting the quality. “A little modern for my taste, but they’ll do, I suppose.” She looks around my dining room with distaste.

“Shall I make you a pot of tea?”

“No, I’m not stopping. You should make Justin one, though. You’re so lucky to have him helping you.”

Ugh. Here we go again. I walk into the kitchen to boil the kettle, and Mum follows.

“I worry about you, Stephanie. You had that beautiful home, and now you’ve been reduced to this.” She waves her hand around my tiny kitchen, screwing her face up like there’s a foul smell in the air.

“This kitchen is brand new. What’s wrong with it?”

“Well, there isn’t enough room to swing a cat.”

“I don’t have a cat, Mother.” The water in the kettle bubbles just like my blood.

“Why don’t you stop being so stubborn and work things out with your husband?”

“We’re never getting back together. Justin has accepted that. Why can’t you?” I open the cupboard and reach for a box of tea, then throw two tea bags into the pot before slamming the cupboard door shut.

Mum folds her arms. “You’ll never get another man like him.”

I huff. “Good.”