Sorting it with Susie

The only trouble was, I couldn’t think what to do. It felt like I ought to sleep on it but Ben had been so distraught and so desperate that I knew he wanted me to do something straightaway. I thought of him struggling away at home, being so upset and being expected to be polite to the new au pair – who had obviously just arrived – and my heart went out to him. It’s exhausting being that upset and trying to put a brave face on it. I sent him a text:

Say you’ve got a bad headache or something and go to bed. Mum and Dad will manage. I’m on the case, OK?

Then I marched over to the house and knocked lightly on the door of what the Petersons call ‘the family bathroom’ which really means Chas gets it all to himself. Mr and Mrs Charming have one to themselves and the guest room has an en suite too.
‘Chas?’ I said. ‘Can I talk to you?’
‘Not through the door. This about Ben?’
‘Yes.’
‘Give me a few minutes. Want to go and make a drink?’
So that was me dismissed. But at least he was quick. And when he arrived in the kitchen, he wasn’t sporting a towel but he did look extremely Johnny Depp with his wet hair and a quality bath robe.
‘So?’ he said. ‘All right to talk here? Mum’s having an early night and dad’s watching TV.’
I nodded and handed him the hot chocolate I’d made.
‘I’m going to have to talk to Suzie,’ I said. ‘But I’m not sure how. Should I phone or My Space her? She might just cut me off if I phone but if I My Space her she might not even answer.’
‘D’you need to talk to her tonight?’
I nodded.
‘Well, she might not even be on line. You have to phone.’
‘But I don’t want to,’ I said. ‘I won’t know what to say. And she’s furious with Ben – so she might be furious with me. You don’t mess with Suzie, Chas!’
Chas handed me his phone. ‘Just do it,’ he said. ‘It’s getting late. Her parents are strict. She might not be able to talk later.’
I stared at the phone.
‘Her number’s on there,’ he said. ‘I sometimes have to phone her if I want to speak to Ben.’
I still hesitated.
‘Surely Ben can’t really want his big sister to ring his girlfriend?’ I said.
Chas gave me a sick parrot look. ‘Do it,’ he said. ’Ben’s waiting. I’ll stay right here, OK?’
‘Is that to make me feel better or to make sure I do it?’
‘Both.’
I found the number and called. She picked up almost straight away.
‘Chas?’ she said. ‘He’s not here. I…’
‘Suzie, it’s Kate,’ I said. ‘Ben’s….’
‘Kate!’ There was a silence and I wondered if she was drawing breath to shout at me. Instead, she burst into tears.
‘Has Ben told you?’ she sobbed. ‘Has he told you what he did?’
‘Yes. I’m really sorry, Suzie. He’s been a complete jerk. But he does know that. And he’s really sorry.’
‘I know – I know he’s sorry. And I don’t want to split up with him, Kate. But…but…well, what he’s told you isn’t the only thing – there’s something else. I….’
She broke off. I could hear her mum talking to her in the background. It was clear she was being told to get off the phone and go to bed.
‘Kate?’ She’d got a grip on herself and was being very quiet. ‘I have to go – but I really need to talk to someone about this. Someone who’ll understand. Can I talk to you, please?’
‘Me? But I’m Ben’s sister. I’m kind of on his side – I mean, I know he’s completely let you down but he’s still my little brother and I love him.’
‘But so do I!’ She was beginning to cry again.
‘Ssh!’ I said. ‘Look at the ceiling. You can’t cry when you’re looking up – it’s a well-known fact.’
‘Is it?’ She gulped.
‘Yes. Now how about we go for a dog walk together tomorrow evening? D’you know I’ve got this job walking dogs for Greg’s mum?’
‘Yes – Ben said.’ Her voice broke on Ben.
‘Right,’ I said briskly. ‘I’ll meet you at the park gates at 6.30pm then.’ Inwardly, I was thinking there was a bonus here for me – it would be hard for Greg to tag along and right now that seemed like a jolly good idea. ‘And don’t worry – whatever it is. I’m sure it can be sorted out, all right?’
‘I’m not,’ said Suzie, ‘but thank you!’
‘Well done,’ said Chas. ‘You’d better ring Ben.’
Ben was harder work.
‘Tell me what she said,’ he implored. ‘Just tell me what she said. I can’t wait till tomorrow evening. I feel terrible.’
‘I’m sorry, Ben,’ I said. ‘She didn’t say much at all. Just that she wanted to talk to me.’ I didn’t mention that she’d said there was something else – Ben had enough to worry about. ‘Now, have you met the new au pair? What’s she like?’
‘I didn’t notice,’ said Ben. ‘Not as pretty as Belle.’
‘Typical!’ I said. ‘You are so shallow sometimes, Ben!’
‘I’m upset!’ he protested. ‘What do you expect? A deep personality exploration?’
‘Oh, I’ll find out anyway, won’t I? She can’t be as bad as Belle was when she first arrived.’
To my surprise, at that moment, Chas slipped his hands round my waist and hugged me against him.
‘Say goodbye,’ he whispered in my ear.
I tried to frown sideways at him but then he kissed my ear-lobe and then my cheek and…
‘Well, night night then Ben,’ I said. ‘Better pray your big sister can sort this out for you. And if I do, you owe me, right?’ Then I ended the call.
‘Kate,’ said Chas, turning me to face him. ‘Are we…well, you know…’
‘What?’ I said. He was holding me gently and looking more deeply into my eyes than he had ever done before.
‘Are we…are we together? Or are we just messing about? Experimenting? I need to know.’
I looked away. Then I looked back. I knew I had to be very careful indeed what I said right then.