Hold my hand.

~5~

[Thursday.]

-So what did you reply?
-Well, nothing yet. What should I say?
-Mmm... what did he say again?
-For the third time, he said 'Hey, it's Alex. Hope you and Blake are good. I wanted to talk to you about something. Don't worry, it's not work related, but it's a bit delicate, so can you give me a ring when you've got a minute?'
-How weird.. what could it be?! And did you say he messaged you from his personal number?
-Yes! At least, that's what I think. It's not the number he gave me on Monday, so I assume that's his personal number.
-Well, you know what I'm gonna say...
-I don't know, Leigh...
-Call him! Tonight, when Blake's in bed, just in case the conversation becomes... inappropriate for under eighteens...
-Oh, would you stop it! It's our case worker for God's sake!
-Just saying. I'm so curious now. If you don't call me straight after you put the phone down to him, you won't be my best friend anymore. Just saying.
-Very dramatic but okay. I'll keep you posted. The real issue at the moment is another one: what the hell am I gonna do about the Cowells?!
-I really don't know, babes. Can't you try to talk to Mr. Cowell? He's always been understanding of your situation.
-I don't think the witch will even let him answer the phone. What if she takes me to court? I definitely don't have the money to seek legal advice. And I would lose anyway. And what if social services acknowledge our financial troubles? They're already as worried as it is.
-How does she expect you to find a thousand and five hundred pounds in four weeks? She's lost her mind! You know I'd help you if I could, Pez.
-I would never ask you something like that, but thanks Leigh. And it's my fault anyway, I should've never put myself in this situation. She's right, it's her money and she should have them back. The only solution is to find another weekend job.
-You literally just stopped working three jobs! Are you sure you want to go back to that?
-No, I don't want to, but I'll have to. At least for the next two months, until they give me the permanent contract. Then I could probably ask for an advance on my future pay. I'm hoping that if Mrs. Cowell sees I'm trying, she'll be a bit more flexible. Then I'm sure once we'll have a new place, with the council, the rent will be a bit less... I'm sure everything will fall into place.
-I really don't know how you do it. You really are Wonder Woman! Of course you know I can have Blake if you have to work.
-You're an angel.

After picking up Blake from school and the short bus journey home, Perrie made sure he finished all of his spelling and reading in time for dinner and quickly put together something to eat for him.
Thursdays were always so easy, as Blake would normally start to be tired from the week and barely put up a fight about homework or dinner time or bed time. After dinner, Perrie would always let him watch some cartoons before reading him a story on the sofa bed where both of them slept together.
The girl then had to wait for Blake to be asleep before trying to sneak out of his hug to go and do all the things she didn't have time to do during the day.
That night, her chores included washing up, scrubbing Blake's muddy school shoes and finding a second job.
It was almost eight o'clock when Perrie managed to sit in front of her laptop to begin the job search.
She had bits of paper everywhere where she kept adding and subtracting numbers to see what she could and could not afford anymore, if she accepted this or that job. As a mom, she really didn't want Blake to give up on anymore things.
As she was about to have a breakdown, her phone went off. She sniffed before picking up.

-Hello?
-Oh, hi. Perrie? It's Alex.

Perrie pulled a really embarrassed expression, which luckily Alex wasn't able to see through the phone. She had completely forgotten to reply to his text.

-Hello, Alex. I'm so sorry, I completely forgot to call you back. I've been crazy busy.
-It's okay. How are you?
-Ehm... busy?
-It won't take long, I promise.
-It's okay.
-I... I don't really know how to say this. I don't want to embarrass you. I couldn't help but notice the state of your laptop the other day...

Perrie couldn't help but feeling even worse. She had that laptop since she was a teenager and everyone knows that an old laptop and a toddler don't mix well. The laptop obviously lost the battle and it was now missing more then half the keys on the keyboard, but she didn't think Alex would notice in his short visit to her house.

-... and I know you use your laptop for work a lot. My brother's old laptop is about to go in the bin. It's completely out of use, but I figured out you could use it to fix your keyboard.
-Alex, it's so thoughtful of you, but I can't really afford any extras this month. My laptop's  working just fine, it's just the keyboard but...
-Oh no, no, sorry. I obviously meant for free. I told you, it was about to go in the trash anyway.
-I don't really know what to say. Are you sure?
-More than sure.
-Well, thank you so much then. What about yo...
-I've just finished work for today, I can come and drop it off in about... say half an hour?
-Really, you don't have to...
-It's my pleasure. See you in a bit.

[Good morning everyone xx how are you all?
My best friend is sending me all around town today to pick up a few bits for her baby, as she's pregnant and I'm super-auntie 🦸🏼‍♀️ lol
Wanted to post this last night but got too distracted by my takeaway 😂🐽 so here it is now...
things are getting interesting between Alex and Perrie 👀
Let me know what you think ;)
Peace and love and keep safe everyone xxx]