Page 88 of Mercury Rising

“Thanks. Although that couch might have a different opinion. I can check into The Nickleby.”

“Ooh fun,” Lotty said. “I’ll pack a bag.”

Mercury sat up and kissed her on the cheek. “You’re the best. Do you know that?”

“I do. Now can I get some sleep?”

When Mercury let himself into Queens Crescent, he heard voices upstairs. He had no appetite for confrontation and simply wanted to steal up to his bedroom.

Of course, fate had other ideas. As he made it to the first floor, Madeline appeared in the drawing room doorway. Amazingly, she looked exhausted.

“Mercury,” she said.

“Mum, I’ve barely slept. I can’t do this. Me and Lotty are staying at The Nickleby for a bit. I’ve just come to get some things.”

Madeline’s eyes filled with tears. “This is your home. I’ll be going to Cyprus in a couple of days. We need to talk.”

Mercury folded his arms. “About what?”

“I can’t now. Josh is here.”

Mercury shook his head. “How about you send me your calendar? I can book a slot.”

He went to go upstairs. Being in the house made him want to heave.

“Darling, I was wrong. I shouldn’t have done it. I?—”

“You, you, you. Listen, right now I’m so angry that I’m going to say things you may never forgive. Let me go.”

Madeline nodded and stood back.

Mercury dashed up the rest of the stairs until he reached his room. In record time, he managed to throw some essentials into a holdall.

If jumping out of the window had been an option, he would have taken it over going down those stairs again. There was no way his mother would give him a clear escape route.

Maybe it’s easier to give her what she wants.

Mercury ran down the stairs and into the drawing room. A teary-eyed Josh sat on the sofa with Madeline comforting him.

“It’s not Winston, is it?” Mercury asked.

“He’s gone,” Josh said with a sniff.

“Dead?”

“No, of course not,” Madeline said. “Josh and Winston have decided to have a break.”

“I didn’t decide,” Josh cut in. “I don’t get any say in this.”

Mercury shook his head. “So, you ruined two relationships in one night? That’s got to be a personal best, Mother. Josh, I’m sorry for you. I will say that before the cancer Winston was always a prize twat. I didn’t expect that to change, did you?”

Josh and Madeline reared back.

“Did you say you’re going to Cyprus in a couple of days?”

“Yes.”

“Then I’ll be home in three.”