Rumbled

There's so many days in life that just don't mean anything, the days off, the lazy Sundays, the slow work days, days that'll never leave a lasting impression, but they're nice, they get you one step closer to the important days. The problem with important days is that you rarely know that one's happening. It'll just appear, like a bolt from the blue, and turn your entire world upside down, I've had a lot of them, but the surprise is half the fun, any day could be the best day of your life.

Today isn't like that.

Today I know it's going to be important, it just is. All the stuff with Rouge and Mum seems insignificant as the hours tick along, my eyes trained on the clock. I texted Elise at lunch, she's meeting me outside, so as soon as the time comes, we're looking at flats... At homes. This hangover isn't too bad, especially as time goes on, but it's just irritating enough for me to feel every second. This is all Rouge's fault.

Trish had texted me as well, apparently she and Mum had a discussion in which her new mother-in-law had simultaneously threatened her life and welcomed her to the family. That sounds normal in a messed up way. At least I don't have to worry about them, I can focus on the viewings.

"So, I turn up hungover because it doesn't affect my capability, you? You look like death warmed up." Lauren's voice snaps me out of my daydreaming. I look to her with fear in my heart, but she's actually smiling, she even hands me a cup of tea. "Big night?" She asks, sitting at my desk.

I don't think Rouge told me to keep it a secret from Lauren... Besides, it's public knowledge now. "Well, my sister secretly got married to my school crush, so them, my girlfriend, and my estranged father's secret love-child had a drink to celebrate. Then several more. Then my Mum found out. It was... A lot." I explain, taking a sip from the mug.

Lauren remains quiet, unusually attentive for her, I guess turning up in this state got her attention. "Your life is incredible." She decides. "Honestly, if I had your life, I wouldn't need daytime TV. Tell me more crazy things." Is it that crazy? I guess it's pretty dysfunctional from the outside... But isn't every family?

"Erm... I dunno, I went to Elise's parents' house and yelled at them because they're leaving the country." I recall. Lauren looks like a kid on Christmas. It can't hurt to score brownie points with the boss, can it? "Let's see, I once planned a secret getaway to tell Elise I love her, I accidentally got a polyamorous trio together, I once fled school-"

"Mark's your father."

Lauren cuts me off with such a decisive tone, I don't even breathe out after her words reach my ears. Now I feel panic, how did she know? Did Ashley tell her? Does Moira know? Am I being fired?

"Relax." She smiles. "Didn't take much figuring it out, your demeanour changed as soon as you met him, given your preference I know it wasn't a crush, then you called your mother 'Mum' but stuck with 'father' for him... I'm guessing your not on good terms. Two and two makes Mark." She thinks out loud, keeping her voice low enough that no one can overhear.

"His... His name's Ashley Cross, I'd only met him once before, I had to find out why he was there, but... Things got out of hand and I ended up yelling at him... Then he turned up at my home... I didn't know what to do. I didn't want to cause trouble." I admit, trying desperately to give context for my lie by omission.

Lauren simply raises her hand to silence me. "It's okay. I've been suspicious of that guy since day one. Always too clean cut." She reassures me. "Look, Moira's mine. She's family. We're a team. If someone's looking to cause her harm, they're looking to cause me harm. I need to know everything." Hers? As in they're... "No, not like that. Focus. Details." She corrects me bluntly. Well, that makes a change I suppose.

Maybe she really does have psychic hangovers...

*

"Wow." Lauren groans, running her hands down her face. "Yeah. That's pretty not great... Look, thank you for telling me, but keep quiet for now. I need to come up with a solution. Moira won't take my word for it. I've got a pattern of disapproving of her boyfriends. She has a pattern of liking unapprovable men. We'll regroup in a few days. Silence until then, yeah?"

I don't think 'unapprovable' is a word... But I'm not gonna argue. If Lauren's clever enough to figure out Ashley's identity, I'm sure she'll be able to come up with something... She stays with me until the end of the day, we chat about work, alcohol, more work, more alcohol. Lauren has specific tastes, but my mind drifts back to the viewings. I'm even more nervous by the end of the day as I pack away my laptop and head to the elevator with my boss.

The doors opening to reveal Elise is a sight for sore eyes. You wouldn't be able to tell she'd slept half the day. She looks like purity incarnate. I go to greet her, but I'm beaten to the punch by Lauren.

"Oh, so this is the girlfriend? Nice to finally put a face to the stories. I'm Lauren." She introduces herself, grabbing Elise's hand and shaking it.

Elise is, rightfully, caught off guard by the interruption. "Stories?" She repeats, unsure of the light in which she'd been set. Give me some credit.

"Yeah, you're excellent. The one about punching the bully and running away with Scarlet. Damn. If my school boyfriend had been like that maybe I'd let him out of the basement." She clarifies... A little too convincingly, leaving both me and Elise unsure how to respond. "That was a joke. See you!" She adds, before marching off... Probably towards a bar knowing her.

Elise can't hold back her confused smile, looking back to me for an explanation. I could tell her that Lauren's a bit of an odd duck, but her heart's in the right place... I could... or I could reply with this:

"Yeah, I have no idea who that is."