"You must be Lauren." Mercedes smiled.
"Yeah. Mercedes, right?"
"Just call me Mercy, everybody does!" Mercedes beamed. "Come on in."
Coming back to familiarity was hard for Eva. The vast lounge with the grey carpet, blue and gold floral wallpaper and fabric sofas was still littered with children's toys and mugs of lukewarm coffee.
"Can I get you anything? Tea? Coffee?" Mercy called from inside the kitchen.
"Coffee please. 1 sugar." Lauren replied. "Your Mum is so nice." She whispered to Eva.
"She is pretty cool." Eva nodded, already missing Finn.
"Eva?" A male voice called. Eva turned around and saw...
"Kev!" She gasped. He was stood there with Tia clinging on to his leg.
"How have you been, treasure?"
"Fine. Dad's looking after us all well."
"Excuse me for being rude. I'm sorry, I don't believe we've met. Kev." Kev said to Lauren.
"Lauren." Lauren smiled.
The sound of baby screams filled the air. "I am sorry. I'd better get going." He ran up the stairs quickly.
"Please tell me he's your brother and not your step-dad."
"Lauren, that is disgusting!" Eva giggled.
"2 coffees." Mercy reappeared with two mugs and set them on the coffee table. "So my darlings, how have you been?"
"Really well. It's really fun at my new school." Eva beamed.
"You don't get bullied anymore?" Mercy watched Eva shake her head. "Darling, that's brilliant. You look so much happier."
"I am." Eva nodded.
"And that boyfriend of yours, Finley. How is he?"
"Finn, Mum. His name is Finn. He's fine." Eva smiled at the thought of him.
"He must be a charmer to keep a smile on her face. She's hard to please just like her mother." Mercy winked to Lauren.
"They're well loved up. It's a bit disgusting at times but at least she's happy." Lauren nodded.
"Good. What's your plan for this week?" Mercy asked.
"I'm taking Lauren to meet my friends for the next three days actually."
"Don't lie to me, baby. You're going to a party, aren't you?" Mercy raised her eyebrows.
"Yeah." Eva said slowly.
"Alright with me. Just please...neither of you tell your Dad. I think I got some beers in the fridge, I'll have a look." Mercy beamed.
Lauren readjusted the pillows on the airbed. "This is your old room?" She asked, looking around at all the posters of bands and male models.
"Yeah. Hell of a lot different from the one at my Dad's."
"Yep." Lauren nodded.
"You'd better get a good night's sleep. We'll be partying all of tomorrow." Eva snuggled down into her quilt. "I am pooped."
"Same." Lauren lay down and closed her eyes...
"WAKE UP!" Eva jumped on Lauren's airbed so she flew up in the air.
"Eva!" Lauren snapped crossily.
"Sorry!" Eva giggled wildly. "Can we go out? Town?"
"I don't have enough for drink and a new outfit."
"Oh well." Eva shrugged. "Let's go."
An hour and a half later, they were traipsing through town looking for an outfit for the party. The whole morning-afternoon had been filled with 'I hate the colour,' 'the shape isn't right,' 'I hate it.'
"This? This has got to be it?" Eva sighed, holding up a pair of bright pink jeans.
"They're cute!" Lauren nodded.
"I've got a grey blazer that will look so cute!"
"I like them. Do it." Lauren nodded. She was holding two shopping bags as she followed Eva to the cash desk.
"£26.50." Eva gasped as she heard the prize. She rifled through the purse and handed over some notes. She got her change and left the shop.
"It's half four already. We need to get home." Eva beamed.
