Рейчел Уэллс - Alfie And George

‘Hey, Pol, come in,’ she said, ushering everyone inside. Martha and Summer immediately ran upstairs, with George following them. He loved being spoilt, and sometimes terrorised, by the two girls. Henry wandered into the living room and started trying to put the TV on.

‘Henry, you spend all your time watching TV, go and play,’ Polly said, sighing.

‘I’m not playing with them. They’re girls!’ Henry said. I couldn’t blame him; not only were they bossy, but they liked to play dress up, and were always trying to make Henry be a princess. Polly shrugged and put the TV on for him.

‘I just don’t have the energy to argue,’ she said to Claire as they went to the kitchen. I gave Henry a bit of a snuggle and then went to the kitchen.

Claire put the kettle on and Polly sat down.

‘Are you all right, Pol? You look exhausted,’ Claire said.

‘Oh, where do you want me to start? Working full time for the first time in my life is so tiring. And then I come home and the house is a bombsite most of the time, but I’m trying not to nag Matt because he’s so miserable. I just feel like it’s all going to explode on me. The poor kids are caught in the crossfire. I mean I try not to shout at Matt, but honestly, Claire, I get home and he’s done nothing, yet he acts like he’s been run off his feet. And then he says the job hunt is taking all his time — but he’s only applied for two jobs! What on earth am I supposed to do?’ She looked terrified.

‘Hey, it’s probably just temporary, it’s a massive adjustment for both of you.’

‘I know, and I can’t tell Matt this, but I’m really enjoying my job. I feel like a grown-up again and I’m loving it much more than I thought I would. But I miss the kids. When I get home I just want to play with them, and spend some nice time with my husband, but then I have to clean up and get everything organised for the following day as well as tiptoeing around Matt. I feel like I’m doing it all.’

‘I know, honey, and you are, but I think Matt might be a bit depressed. Maybe I can get Jonathan to have a chat with him, not about anything in particular, but just to see how he is?’

‘That would be good. Maybe if Jonathan could take him out to the pub one evening?’

‘I’ll arrange it. Although I’m not saying how useful he’ll be, Jonathan doesn’t exactly do domestic very well!’

‘It’s worth a try,’ said Polly. I purred my agreement. ‘Oh, Alfie, I miss seeing you every day!’

‘Tonight, to cheer us up, we’re going to Tasha’s. Frankie’s meeting us there, she’s managed to get a babysitter, and we’re going to drink champagne and celebrate despite any misery!’

‘I’ll put some lipstick on and a smile on my face. Sorry to go on about myself when Tash is having such a hard time.’

‘Don’t be silly, everyone has problems. But I do want to make sure that the first night in the flat isn’t too awful for her.’

‘You know, it hits home, doesn’t it? I can’t imagine losing Matt and yet I feel that if we don’t do something I might.’

‘You won’t, but it does make you appreciate how lucky we are to have someone we love, even if they do drive us mad,’ Claire said, smiling.

‘I know, I just wish we could be a bit more like we used to,’ Polly sighed.‘I just want him to be happier. I wouldn’t mind the mess if he was cheerful. Well, I would, but maybe not quite so much.’

‘You’ll get there. It’s early days, honey, so just try to be patient.’

I agreed with Claire: hopefully they would get used to it soon and then everyone would be happy again. Or happier, at least. I sighed to myself — so much of life was out of our control. A bit like George, I thought, as I saw him run down the stairs wearing a big yellow hat that had slipped over his eyes. He was shaking his head wildly, which made Claire and Polly laugh, before he banged into the wall. Still chuckling, they went over to him and gently removed the hat.

‘Yowl,’ he said sadly. He seemed a bit dazed.

‘What have those girls been doing to you?’ Polly asked, giving him a cuddle. He nestled into her and was soon purring again. If only all life’s problems could be solved so simply.

Later on, we left Jonathan babysitting Summer and George as we called for Polly and made our way to Tash’s new flat. I’d told George that he was to stay home and spend time with Jonathan. When Claire saw me walking down the road next to her she smiled indulgently.

‘You probably deserve a night out,’ she said. As we walked along the street, I used the opportunity to look out for more lamppost cats. As we approached Tasha’s new flat I saw another notice. This time the picture was of a Siamese cat, who looked a bit mean but quite attractive. I stopped and peered at it.

‘Oh no,’ Claire said. ‘Another missing cat.’

‘Don’t you think there’s been a few more than usual lately?’ Polly asked.

‘I guess. I mean, that’s what Heather and Vic were saying anyway but I just don’t know … As Jonathan says, it’s London and cats do go missing here or get run over.’ She shuddered. ‘Not Alfie and George though, thank goodness.’

‘I don’t know. I mean I know Heather and Vic are a pain but I do wonder if there’s something in what they’ve been saying,’ Polly said.

I felt a bit relieved. Vic and Heather were terrors but if anyone was going to get to the bottom of the mystery of the lamppost cats, then I was sure it would be them — after all, they were very good at poking their noses into other people’s business.

We stood on Tash’s doorstep. Claire and Polly were clutching bottles of champagne and snacks, and Polly looked much better than she had earlier in the day. She really had put on some lipstick and a smile, just as she’d said she would. When Tash opened the door, the flat immediately reminded me of when I first met Polly and Matt. It wasn’t their old flat, but it was almost identical in layout. I walked in and rubbed Tash’s legs.

‘You OK?’ Claire asked as they followed Tash into the small kitchen.

‘Well, it’s weird being here, but Elijah seems fine. He went to bed without any fuss, he’s such a good boy.’

‘Yeah, you lucked out with that one, the easiest child ever,’ Claire said.

‘Well, maybe compared to our girls,’ Polly laughed. ‘And actually he’s far more laid back than Henry too.’

‘He gets his laid-back nature from his father, let’s hope he hasn’t picked up his gutless bad points too … Sorry, I didn’t mean to start with a moan.’ A flash of anger crossed Tash’s face. Claire hugged her.

‘Hey, you moan away.’

‘And in the meantime I’m opening the champers,’ Polly said. ‘I could do with a drink! Glasses?’ As Tash opened a kitchen cupboard and located the glasses, Polly opened the champagne.

‘You’re pretty organised already,’ Claire said.

‘Well, thanks to your Jonathan. It’s much smaller here so we only took what we needed. I managed to unpack most of it while Elijah was napping,’ Tash explained.

‘Can I ask? What about Dave?’ Polly asked, cringing a bit. ‘I mean, does he know about the move?’

‘I haven’t told him yet. Anyway, he’s already moved in with his other woman. He said he’s living with his mum but when she called me about seeing Elijah she let it slip.’

‘So you’re on good terms with his mum?’ Polly asked.

‘Yes, she’s furious with him. We’ve always got on well and I’ve said that she can see her grandson whenever she wants. But then what about this woman?’ She burst into tears. ‘I’m sorry, but I still can’t bear the idea of another woman around my baby.’ As Claire comforted her, the doorbell went. Polly opened it and came back with Franceska.