Jenny Downham

30
All three of them take a moment to look at me. I hate it. I feel dismal
and cold and my stomach aches. Its been hurting since having sex with
Jake. No one told me that would happen.
ll be back at four, Dad says as he steps into the lift. Shes refused to
have her blood count checked for nearly two weeks, so phone me if
anything changes. Can you manage that?
Yes, yes, dont worry. She leans over and kisses my forehead. ll
look after her.
Cal and me sit at the kitchen table, and Mum puts the kettle on, finds
three cups amongst the dirty ones in the sink and swills them under the
tap. She reaches into a cupboard for tea bags, gets milk from the fridge and
sniffs it, scatters biscuits on a plate.
I put a whole Bourbon in my mouth at once. It tastes delicious. Cheap
chocolate and the rush of sugar to my brain.
Did I ever tell you about my first boyfriend? Mum says as she plonks
the tea on the table. His name was Kevin and he worked in a clock shop. I
used to love the way he concentrated with that little eye-piece nudged into
his face.
Cal helps himself to another biscuit. How many boyfriends have you
actually had, Mum?
She laughs, pushes her long hair back over one shoulder. Is that an
appropriate question?
Was Dad the best?
Ah, your father! she cries, and clutches her heart melodramatically,
which makes Cal roar with laughter.
I once asked Mum what was wrong with Dad. She said, Hes the most
sensible man Ive ever met.