Edie smiled. “It was my idea.”
“Good choice,” Caroline said, winking. “Thank you for inviting me over.”
Edie smiled as she lowered her eyes to her plate, lifting a shoulder. “Mum said you are friends so it would be okay.”
“Perfectly okay.”
“Would you like a drink? A glass of water or a can of pop?”
Caroline smiled as Edie scrambled to her feet. “I’d love a glass of water, thank you.”
When Edie left the room, Caroline’s eyes found Hannah’s. She really had missed her this week. And then Hannah leaned forward, her smile bright. “You doing okay? I know this isn’t ideal, but I didn’t want to miss out on the chance to see you.”
“That’s exactly why I’m here,” Caroline whispered. “I thought I’d be fine not seeing you through the week, but it’s been really miserable without you.”
“You can come over whenever you like. More so now that Edie seems okay with you being here.”
“I don’t know. I hate lying to her. She thinks we’re just friends, and while I’m okay with that for now, what happens when she finds out? When she knows we’ve lied to her…”
The sound of glasses clanging had Hannah smiling. They had another second alone before Edie returned. “We’ll figure it out together, okay? I’d never tell her without your input first.”
“Okay.”
“Here you go, Ms Baker.” As Edie entered the room again, they tore apart. Hannah almost knocked over the bowl of mango chutney, catching it before it hit the cream carpet. “And one for you, Mum.”
“My God, you’re like creeping Jesus!” Hannah splayed a hand across her chest. “Sit down before you give me a heart attack.”
Edie returned to her cushion on the floor, staring at Caroline. Had she overhead them from the kitchen? Surely not. “So, how has school been since the incident?”
Edie lifted a shoulder. “Fine. I just stay out of their way.”
“Good idea.”
“But I think they might stop now.” Edie spooned rice into her mouth. Swallowing before she continued the conversation. “Thank you for getting them excluded, too.”
“You shouldn’t have to listen to the things they were saying. We’re all different, and it’s nobody’s business to say hateful things toanyone.”
“Are you a lesbian too, Ms Baker?”
Caroline almost choked on the piece of chicken she’d just shoved into her mouth. Edie was never this vocal in class. Perhaps being on her own territory wasn’t the best idea for Caroline. “I…uh…” She eyed Hannah, but her girlfriend just sat with her mouth agape.
“It’s okay if you are.”
“Well, I mean…my personal life is exactly that.Personal.”
“That’s cool.” Edie went back to eating her dinner, silence falling over the three of them.
“H-how was work?” Caroline swallowed as she gave Hannah a knowing look. If she didn’t say something soon, Caroline was certain the walls would close in on her. “Any cases of interest?”
“A few, yeah. It’s amazing the things you’re faced with in a criminal lawyer’s office.”
“I’ll bet.” Caroline nodded, satisfied that she’d eaten more than enough this evening. Which was just as well, really, because Caroline was beginning to feel a little anxious about being here. “Well, that was delicious.”
“It’s our favourite restaurant. You could come over again next time we order in.”
“Oh, I’m sure you two would prefer a girly night without me around.”
Edie grinned. “That’s the best idea. You should come over and have a girly night with us. Shouldn’t she, Mum?” Edie turned to face Hannah, catching her off guard. “Wouldn’t that be great?”