The Grief House

Had she slumped on to the futon bed they shared, Blue would have curled her body against Bridget’s and waited for her mother to come back from wherever it was she disappeared to. But today is Friday, and four guests out of five have made it, and dinner needs attention; a tour shall be given, and Jago, Sabina and that strange-eyed Blue will be surreptitiously assessed so Molly can establish who they need her to be. The arm round her, the hair against her cheek, the lullaby voice telling Blue it was all right, it was OK, and she could lean into her mother’s body and rest her head on Bridget’s shoulder and not have to face going to work. She didn’t know whether to cover Sabina to keep her warm or leave her uncovered, and in the end Blue pulled the flat sheet clear from the duvet and draped it over her body.