Rosie took a mouthful of wine and turned on the telly, flicking through the channels. Nothing caught her interest, so she settled for the news. Its gloom matched her mood. It was only 9pm.
A faint noise from six-year-old Nicky upstairs made her pause, but she heard nothing more. He was just stirring in his sleep. She wasn’t surprised, it had been a difficult evening all round.
The worst part had been Nicky, angry with her for going out and leaving him with Nanna, shouting that he wanted to live with Daddy. Her mother had pushed her out of the door, saying he would be fine. And she was right.
When Rosie returned home 45 minutes later, Nicky and Nanna were playing snakes and ladders at the kitchen table, making sound effects as they climbed up the ladders and slid down the snakes. Nicky was doubled up with laughter.
Her mother looked surprised and worried that Rosie had come back so early, and even more so when Rosie wouldn’t tell her what happened.
