Losing It by Lesley Glaister Page A

says. ‘I think!’
    ‘It’s meant to be the second – or is it the third? – most stressful thing you can do, moving house,’ Marion says. ‘Nearly as bad as divorce.’
    Jo looks down.
    ‘Oh God, sorry,’ Marion says.
    But Jo shakes her head. ‘It’s OK,’ she says. ‘I took the bastard for every penny he was worth!’ and she laughs. Then she sees Marion’s face and stops. ‘Only joking!’.
    ‘But you are divorced?’ Marion says.
    ‘Sort of. Anyway, this is a new start for me.’
    David opens the wine and pours three glasses.
    ‘Here’s to a new start,’ he says. He holds up his glass.
    ‘Cheers,’ Jo says.
    ‘A new start,’ Marion says.
    ‘Look Mum!’ Luke comes back into the room with Tigger in his arms.
    ‘You’ll never get rid of him now!’ Jo giggles and takes a swig of wine.
     

CHAPTER TWO
    Jo stays so late that Luke falls asleep on the sofa and David carries him back next door. Seeing David with Luke in his arms gives Marion a pang of sadness. They have been trying for a baby for years. They’ve had all the tests. There’s nothing wrong with either of them. But she cannot get pregnant.
    Marion sighs and begins loading the dishwasher. They drank three bottles of wine and she has to get up for work in the morning. What a disgrace! Still, she thinks with a smile, at least we get on OK with our new neighbour. She’s certainly very different to Pat!
    Early on Saturday morning the doorbell rings. Marion and David are still in bed listening to the radio and drinking tea.
    ‘Leave it,’ David says.
    ‘Maybe it’s the postman.’ Marion gets up and puts on her dressing gown while David grumbles about having his lie in ruined. Luke is standing at the door. He’s still in his pyjamas with bare feet.
    ‘Can I play with Tigger?’ he says.
    ‘Come in,’ Marion says. She makes him some toast and honey. David comes down to get more tea.
    ‘Where’s Mum?’ he asks.
    ‘Still asleep,’ Luke says. ‘She sleeps in at weekends.’ He squeaks a rubber mouse at Tigger.
    ‘Lucky Mum,’ says David.
    Luke tries to pick Tigger up but he meows and runs away.
    ‘Make him play with me,’ Luke says.
    ‘You can’t make him play,’ Marion tells him. ‘How about another piece of toast?’
    ‘I like chocolate spread best,’ he tells Marion when he leaves.
    ‘I’ll get some for next time,’ she promises.
    Later Jo comes round to borrow some milk.
    ‘Want a coffee?’ Marion says.
    ‘I hope Luke didn’t wake you up?’ Jo sits down.
    ‘He was a bit early,’ Marion says, ‘but I don’t mind.’
    ‘Where’s David?’ Jo asks.
    ‘He plays footie on Saturday,’ Marion says, ‘and 5-a-side on Sunday. Or else he’s out watching a match at the pub.’
    ‘So you don’t see much of him?’ Jo says.
    ‘Enough!’ Marion says.
    Jo laughs. She has a big smile and very white teeth. They drink coffee and chat about the people in the street.
    ‘So you’re just divorced?’ Marion asks.
    Jo looks down and bites her fingernail. ‘I don’t like to talk about the past,’ she says.
    ‘Sorry,’ Marion says. ‘Does Luke see much of his dad?’
    ‘I’m working on it,’ Jo says. ‘Oh, by the way, could you babysit for me tonight? I’m going to a party.’
    ‘Fine,’ Marion says. ‘We’re not going out. You can bring Luke here.’
    After Jo has gone, Marion looks in the mirror. Her face is pale and her hair is brown and flat. Compared with Jo she looks plain and fat. Pat never made her feel like that.
    When David gets home, he says, ‘We won! And we’re going out to celebrate!’
    ‘I can’t go out,’ Marion says. ‘I’m babysitting Luke.’
    ‘But I’ve booked a restaurant,’ he says. ‘I thought you’d be pleased.’
    ‘I can’t let Jo down,’ Marion says.
    ‘Bloody Jo.’ David stomps upstairs.
    ‘It’ll be fun,’ Marion calls after him. ‘We can rent a DVD. And make popcorn.’
    David stands at the top of the stairs looking down at her. He shrugs his