‘You don’t have many photos of you and Archie on your Facebook page?’
‘I’m just loading them. I haven’t been doing it for long. Social media wasn’t so popular in Jamaica.’
‘Oh, of course. Yeah, it’s quite time-consuming to start a new account and load everything on.’
Ebony looked about her at all Imogen’s drawings and toys everywhere. Selena caught her looking.
‘Yeah – sorry about the mess. Imogen has taken over my life really. I try and keep a balance but she’s everything to me. Must be difficult for you, twice as precious, having Archie when your own childhood was difficult? Did you ever think that you’d do it? Considering your past?’
Ebony nodded. ‘I wondered if I’d be a good mother.’
‘I can see you are. You were lovely with him when I saw you together. It’s a shame he’s poorly. Lucky you have a babysitter.’
‘Yes. My aunt lives in London. I’ve roped her in to help.’
‘Ideal. Leaves you free to date?’
Selena grinned. She sat opposite Ebony at the kitchen table. ‘What’s happening with you and Christian? I thought you might have gone for Yan – the nerdy quiet type – still waters and all that. But which would you say is more your type?’
Ebony shook her head, embarrassed, and tried not to smile. ‘Christian tries it on, doesn’t he? I’m the new girl. But seriously? We’re just friends. What do you think of Yan?’
‘Complicated. Deep. He gives so much then he backs off. He seems to be always looking for something, someone. He looks like a sweet-natured nerd but he must have seen and done a lot; he’s been all over the world with his hippy mum.’
‘Did he tell you about that?’
‘He doesn’t seem keen to talk in depth. He’s really kind to me, comes over and puts up shelves for me, that kind of thing.’ Ebony was sure she detected a flush coming to Selena’s face. ‘Christian and him have an odd friendship where you think Yan is always cleaning up Christian’s mess. Kind of like Christian is his wayward brother. They even look alike sometimes – wear the same type of things.’
‘They that close?’
She shrugged.
‘No, not really. They know each other well. They maybe tolerate one another; they have to – I suppose; they hang about with the same people a lot of the time. I’m not sure what else Yan does when he’s not working or helping out. In many ways he’s quite a private person.’
‘What about girlfriends?
‘Yan? Never seen any. He gets close to people. Christian pinches them.’
‘Did he pinch you?’ Ebony watched Selena’s reaction over her mug of tea.
A grin spread across Selena’s face. ‘Oh, so you were more than friends?’ said Ebony.
‘We thought about it.’ Selena gave Ebony a look that said that’s all you’re getting for now. ‘How did it go last night?’ she asked.
‘I was home by ten.’
Selena looked surprised. ‘That was fast work even by Christian’s standards – back to yours for an early night, hey?’
‘No. No.’ Ebony laughed. ‘Absolutely not.’ But Selena gave her a knowing look.
‘That’s what they all say, but he usually gets what he wants. Christian fancies himself more than he’ll ever fancy anyone else. He has women fawning over him all the time. He’s never going to settle for just one.’
‘Have you dated him, Selena?”
‘Me? No way. He’s not my type. We had a snog last Christmas, when I was drunk, but that was it. He got pushy. I had to tell him to back off. He sent me filthy texts for weeks. I got sick of it. Every time I opened the phone there was another dirty message. Plus, he went further, videoing himself masturbating. Really yuck.’
‘Gross! He looks like he could be into all sorts.’
‘Oh yeah, that was another thing: did I have a girlfriend that we could have a threesome with? You know – the usual.’
Ebony tutted. ‘Did anyone else ever say he tried something weird with them?’ she asked.
‘Like what?’
‘I don’t know, something they didn’t like, dangerous maybe? It’s just that, well… you think he has a temper? I know what that’s like. I had enough of that with Archie’s dad.’
‘Oh yes. He definitely has a nasty streak if he doesn’t get his own way. He’s just a big baby really. He doesn’t get what he wants he stamps his foot till he does. He uses the fact he has a child to score with women. The only time he pushes the buggy is when he sees a good-looking woman in the park. I met his ex once, she looked really harassed by him. I reckon he’s been a wife-beater in his time.’
‘Julie’s dated him, hasn’t she?’
‘Yes, well she likes to think so – it was two nights at best, hardly dating. She’s really pissed off that he’s made a move on you.’
‘Do you think she really likes him?’
‘Julie always goes for the bad ones. She’s been beaten up by most of the boyfriends she’s had. Seriously, Ebony; I’m not just saying it to put you off him – he’ll bring you nothing but trouble.’
Ebony left Selena’s house and walked down to meet Yan in the café near the college as arranged. She was early. She ordered a coffee and looked at his Facebook page whilst she waited. He was everything she wasn’t: adventurous and daring. He’d swum with dolphins, gone into bat caves, he’d ridden on elephants in Thailand. Ebony realized she was slightly in awe of him and his free spirit. All her life she’d felt a massive weight of responsibility and never once had she been able to say she was carefree. She was beginning to regret that this was just an operation; that at the end of her time undercover she would not see him again. She wondered if he might still want to be friends after it was all over – maybe more than friends.
Tina called Ebony on her personal phone as she waited for Yan in the café opposite the college.
‘Hey, Teen.’
‘You all right, Ebb?’
‘Not bad.’
‘Really? The course you’re on, the accommodation? The hotel is shite, isn’t it? I can tell it in your voice. You sound tense.’
‘It’s not meant to be a picnic. I’m fine, honestly, Teen. Busy, that’s all. Anyway it has its plus side.’
‘What? Tell me. Ebony Willis, have you met a man out there?’
‘No. No way.’
‘OMG, you have. I can hear it in your voice. You’re lining up some nooky.’
‘Tina, pack it in. Just work, that’s all. I’m feeling good about it – positive.’
‘Hmmmm, well, nothing’s happening here. The house is still standing. My brother Dermot’s talking about staying for New Year’s now when he comes. I suppose that’s okay?’
‘Sounds great. Not sure whether I’ll be working or not – I said I would. You can share with me and Dermot can have your room.’ There was a silence. Ebony could hear Tina thinking.
‘Head up, Ebb. Christmas is coming. We’re going to have a blast.’
‘Can’t wait, Teen. Better go now.’ She spotted Yan in his three-quarter-length overcoat which was turned up at the collar. He waved to her then tucked his head down against the cold. She watched him walk towards the café.
‘Ebb… you keep safe. Love you, mate.’
‘And you, Teen.’
Ebony closed her phone and pushed it to the bottom of her bag.
‘How’s it going?’ Yan said as he walked in, smiling bashfully.
‘Going well, thanks. Thanks for agreeing to meet.’
‘It’s a pleasure.’ He hesitated before he sat down, looked around as if expecting to see something. ‘Is my coffee on the way?’ Ebony shook her head confused. ‘Don’t worry. I just texted you about getting me a coffee, that’s all.’
‘Oh sorry. Let me order one for you.’
‘Don’t worry, I’ll get it. You were busy talking on the phone; I expect the message will come through eventually. It’ll be in a few hours and it’ll say please get me a mocha latte with extra sprinkles.’