Read Online Love Is a State of Mind: Nobody's Life is Perfect by Sarah Catherine Knights - Free Book Online Page B

we’d have gone off with our spears, years ago.  It’s time for us to go and find a nice Aussie girl to …”
    “Yea, that’s enough,” said Laura.  “Just look out for each other.  That’s the main thing.  Make sure the other one is safe …”
    “Yes Mum,” said Jake, raising his eyebrows and sighing at Adam.  “Of course we will.  Come on, Ad, I think I’ve had about as much as I can take of ‘mothers united’ here.  Let’s get the hell outta here.”  He pushed his chair back with a loud scrape, picked up his hand luggage rucksack and put it on his back.  Adam stood up too.  He glanced across at me and said, “Mum, we’ll be fine.  Don’t worry … but we’ve really got to go.  Waves to catch … beers to drink … girls to …”
    “Yea, thanks, Adam,” I said, smiling at him.  “And don’t get anyone pregnant!”
    “Oh, for God’s sake, Mum, I’m not stupid.”
    He too put his small rucksack on and they started walking towards passport control.   Laura and I linked arms and walked behind them.  We could hear them laughing together ahead and when they got there, they turned round and Adam said, “So … this is it.  See you in a year,” and he flung his arms around me.  He whispered, “Find yourself another man, Mum.  Dad’s not good enough for you.  Love ya.”  He kissed my cheek and I hung on to him for perhaps a bit longer than I should.  I breathed in that unique Adam smell and tried to fix him in my head.  He extricated himself from me and the two of them walked away.  We stood and watched as they showed their passports and as they turned towards an unseen corridor, they both waved back at us … and were gone.
    *
    “Well, that was relatively painless, wasn’t it?” said Laura.  We were still standing watching where they’d gone.  I was almost hoping Adam would pop round the corner again.
    “Yes, it was, I suppose.  God, I’m going to miss him dreadfully … are you?”
    “Yes, of course, but I wouldn’t want him to live with us forever – they’ve got to go out there and make their own lives, haven’t they?  Just like we did.  We’ll get used to it … I’m sure we will.  But I know it couldn’t have come at a worse time for you, Anna … shall we go and have another coffee?”
    “Okay … you’ve got a much longer journey home than me … are you sure?”
    “Yes, let’s … you can tell me what your plans are.”
    We went back to Costa and sat down at the same table.  The boys’ absence permeated the atmosphere.  Drinking tea this time, I told her about potentially leaving teaching; she made a good point – was now the right time to make such a dramatic change?  I had to agree with her that maybe too many changes were not a good idea, but …
    She told me about Rocco – he’d had to go to Manchester with the BBC – he’d started off with them as an intern in London, but had done well and been offered a contract.  He was now working in Sport and was often going to all the big sporting events.  There was even talk of commentating.  “Who would have thought Rocco would’ve done so well?” she said proudly.  “They’ve all turned out all right, haven’t they?”
    “I know.  Manchester’s a long way from Cornwall, though, isn’t it?  Have you been up there yet?”
    “No … he only went a couple of weeks ago.  He’s got some holiday coming up – he’s coming down to us for two weeks.  So we’ll catch up with him then.  Is Holly coming to visit soon?”
    “Next weekend, hopefully,” I said.  I knew she would have discussed my situation with John.  I said, “What does John think about David?”
    “Well, you know what men are like, he didn’t say much, but … he did seem quite shocked, actually.  His words were, Poor Anna.  She doesn’t deserve that.   I still just don’t get it, myself.  What’s he playing at, for God’s sake?”
    “I don’t know, I really don’t.  It was so out of the blue.