My Year of Saying No - Maxine Morrey Page 0,22

did tend to take the lustre off things sometimes. But those moments of weakness were few and far between with my sister. She looked perfect, acted that way and wanted everyone to think that’s what she was.

If I really thought she was unhappy, I’d have been more worried, but I knew she really did love her job and socialising. The men she met weren’t ones that appealed to me, but then she and I had always been quite different, in everything from our looks to our ambition. Sally was the blonde haired (admittedly via a very expensive regular appointment at a top London stylist), blue eyed, slim, toned epitome of style and elegance. I’d kept my brunette tones, but we had the same eyes. I was less slim and less toned, although more so since I’d got Humphrey and our long daily walks had become part of my routine. As for the style and elegance, that was most definitely weighted in Sally’s favour. Her nightwear was silk. Mine was fleecy with sloths printed on it.

‘Thanks, Mum, but I’ve got some things I want to get done in the morning tomorrow, so I’d better go.’

‘Only if you’re sure.’

‘Yes. But thanks. And thanks for today. It was lovely.’

She gave me a smile and nodded.

‘I’m sorry if I go on,’ Mum said as she hugged me goodbye. Dad was loading Humphrey and all his gubbins into the car for me, along with the food I’d got at the fayre earlier.

‘What are you talking about?’

‘You. Mario. You know. Dad says I go on a bit sometimes.’

‘Oh, Mum. Don’t worry about it. I know you mean well, and I’m fine.’

‘I just worry about you, especially now Jess has moved away and in with Harry.’

‘We still see each other.’

‘I know, I know. You’re good friends, and I hope you always will be. I suppose… I just want that happiness for you too.’

‘So do I, Mum. But it happened for Jess when she was least expecting it, and that’s probably the best way.’

‘I suppose. I just hate to think you might be lonely.’

I shook my head. ‘I’m really not. I promise.’ And it was true. I wasn’t. That didn’t mean I would say no to meeting the right guy, but I’d also met quite a few wrong guys in the past year and I’d had more than enough of that. I had my business, my dog and my friends. Not to mention my family, and it was all good. I knew I’d have a hard time entirely convincing my mum of that, but hopefully Dad would be able to do a better job than me.

‘Tell Mum I’m fine, will you?’

Dad nodded against me and gave me a squeeze. ‘Let us know when you’re in.’

‘Will do,’ I called, crossing my fingers and turning the key. The engine came to life and I gave a wave and turned the little car towards home.

Back in my flat, I unloaded everything I’d brought home and gave Humphrey a treat for being such a good boy in the car.

I pulled my phone from my pocket and quickly opened the chat app. There was a message from Seb that had come in a couple of hours earlier, but I hadn’t looked at my phone for ages, as I’d sat chatting and watching telly with my parents.

Home! Love you xx

I sent the message to my parents and almost immediately received one back.

Good-oh. Love you too. Xx

Then I opened Seb’s.

8

Hope you’ve had a good day

I frowned at it. There was something off, just slightly, but I couldn’t work out what it was.

I did, thanks. Did you?

I set the phone down and picked up a magazine, but the reply ping sounded before I’d had a chance to even open it.

Took Scooby on a really long walk. Lots of fresh air

The message was followed by a picture of his dog on the sofa, resting his head against Seb’s left knee, all four feet in the air.

Looks like someone enjoyed it. What about his owner?

His owner is knackered

I frowned, sending an emoji that conveyed the same message.

You didn’t overdo it, did you?

Nope. All good

I wasn’t entirely convinced. I knew that Seb still got pain from his leg and that some days were good and others less so and that it would always be that way. But I also knew that he had taken part in all sorts of activities and challenges with his prosthetic leg, things I wouldn’t have even contemplated doing with two good ones. But it