Lee Weeks - Cold as Ice

He shook his head. ‘Sorry.’ Carter turned on his heels and walked away down the corridor. ‘Leaving the Dark Side for half an hour – I need air.’

After Breakfast Ebony pushed pretend Archie to the shops on the edge of the estate as soon as the kids had gone to school and the estate had calmed. She made sure the doll’s face was hidden. If anyone asked she was going to say the baby had chicken pox. She spent an hour on Facebook when she got back. She confirmed Selena’s invitation for coffee – it was changed to one instead of eleven. As she was about to sign off Yan came on line.

‘How’s things? How’s it going with the form? Need any help?’

‘I do. Can you spare the time? It would be great just to chat through my options’.

‘Options are my speciality. What about coffee this afternoon at three in the café opposite the college?’

‘Sounds good. I appreciate it. Thanks.’

Ebony signed off with a smiley face :-) She heard a message come through on her phone.

Yan added : ‘I have texted you my number in case you change your mind.’

Ebony picked up her phone from the floor beside her and read the message. She was just wondering how he got her number.

In case you’re wondering – I got your number from the forms you filled in ;-)

Ebony texted back: ‘See you at 3.’ She sat looking at her phone. Interesting, she thought, unprofessional, even to take her number . She hadn’t expected that .

‘Nice place,’ said Ebony as Selena opened the door to her.

‘Thanks. Come in. Glad you could make it. How’s Archie?’

‘He’ll be okay, thanks.’

‘Been here long?’ Ebony asked as she went inside.

‘About a year.’

Ebony followed Selena through the flat to the kitchen at the back of the house. She walked straight over to the window, which overlooked a small garden with a kid’s swing and a bike.

‘It’s a bit overgrown,’ said Selena. ‘I’m going to tackle it by the time spring comes.’

‘It looks great – loads of potential. It’s just great to have a garden.’

‘Yeah, I feel lucky. I’m sorry it’s a bit cold though. I can’t afford to have the heating on when I’m here alone.’

‘Of course. It’s the same as my place. I don’t mind the cold.’

‘I thought you’d really feel it coming from Jamaica?’

‘Yeah…’ Shit , thought Ebony. She’d let her guard down. ‘Surprising how quickly you can adapt to a climate.’

‘Do you miss it?’

Ebony nodded, shrugged. ‘Yeah, but I’m better off here.’

‘Because of Archie’s dad?’

‘Yeah, Archie’s dad. Plus, this is my home. I was here till I was twelve. It always felt like home. After I had Archie I felt the urge to come back – the homing instinct.’ She remembered what Jeanie had said about wanting to go home when she had Christa.

‘Did you grow up in London?’

Ebony relaxed a little. Now that conversation had returned to London she could use her own life as a reference point. She only had to be truthful.

‘Here, there, everywhere. I was in foster homes and kids’ homes in between going back to my mum but she moved all over London. I spent more time away from her than with her.’

Selena was filling the kettle. She turned and smiled at Ebony.

‘I’m sorry. It must have been really tough.’

Ebony shrugged. ‘Some times were worse than others.’

‘You must have really missed your mum.’

Ebony didn’t answer. She’d already said more than she’d ever usually tell anyone, and to a complete stranger. What was it about being undercover that meant she was beginning to open up about her own life like that? Did it feel safer because it was like playing someone else, even when she was telling the truth? ‘What about you? Are you from London?’

Selena shook her head. ‘I’m originally from Bristol. I came up here to work in a graphic design studio in Islington. I did a degree in it, and then I got pregnant. I decided to keep the baby. I am retraining now. I miss the money I used to earn and the social life I had; but it was all worth it. She’s called Imogen.’

‘I saw her photos on Facebook – she’s so cute.’

‘Yeah, I think so. Tea?’

‘Yes, please. Milk, two sugars.’

‘You don’t have many photos of you and Archie on your Facebook page?’

‘I’m just loading them. I haven’t been doing it for long. Social media wasn’t so popular in Jamaica.’

‘Oh, of course. Yeah, it’s quite time-consuming to start a new account and load everything on.’

Ebony looked about her at all Imogen’s drawings and toys everywhere. Selena caught her looking.

‘Yeah – sorry about the mess. Imogen has taken over my life really. I try and keep a balance but she’s everything to me. Must be difficult for you, twice as precious, having Archie when your own childhood was difficult? Did you ever think that you’d do it? Considering your past?’

Ebony nodded. ‘I wondered if I’d be a good mother.’

‘I can see you are. You were lovely with him when I saw you together. It’s a shame he’s poorly. Lucky you have a babysitter.’

‘Yes. My aunt lives in London. I’ve roped her in to help.’

‘Ideal. Leaves you free to date?’

Selena grinned. She sat opposite Ebony at the kitchen table. ‘What’s happening with you and Christian? I thought you might have gone for Yan – the nerdy quiet type – still waters and all that. But which would you say is more your type?’

Ebony shook her head, embarrassed, and tried not to smile. ‘Christian tries it on, doesn’t he? I’m the new girl. But seriously? We’re just friends. What do you think of Yan?’

‘Complicated. Deep. He gives so much then he backs off. He seems to be always looking for something, someone. He looks like a sweet-natured nerd but he must have seen and done a lot; he’s been all over the world with his hippy mum.’

‘Did he tell you about that?’

‘He doesn’t seem keen to talk in depth. He’s really kind to me, comes over and puts up shelves for me, that kind of thing.’ Ebony was sure she detected a flush coming to Selena’s face. ‘Christian and him have an odd friendship where you think Yan is always cleaning up Christian’s mess. Kind of like Christian is his wayward brother. They even look alike sometimes – wear the same type of things.’

‘They that close?’

She shrugged.

‘No, not really. They know each other well. They maybe tolerate one another; they have to – I suppose; they hang about with the same people a lot of the time. I’m not sure what else Yan does when he’s not working or helping out. In many ways he’s quite a private person.’

‘What about girlfriends?

‘Yan? Never seen any. He gets close to people. Christian pinches them.’

‘Did he pinch you?’ Ebony watched Selena’s reaction over her mug of tea.

A grin spread across Selena’s face. ‘Oh, so you were more than friends?’ said Ebony.

‘We thought about it.’ Selena gave Ebony a look that said that’s all you’re getting for now . ‘How did it go last night?’ she asked.

‘I was home by ten.’

Selena looked surprised. ‘That was fast work even by Christian’s standards – back to yours for an early night, hey?’

‘No. No.’ Ebony laughed. ‘Absolutely not.’ But Selena gave her a knowing look.

‘That’s what they all say, but he usually gets what he wants. Christian fancies himself more than he’ll ever fancy anyone else. He has women fawning over him all the time. He’s never going to settle for just one.’