meet me at midnight.

40.

As January arrived, I resumed college and going to The Met. Desiree and Theo's wedding was fast approaching and a lot of my time was devoted to that. I felt a little overwhelmed at times. Josh's mom got in touch via text, but he made no further mention of it. He'd told them where we lived and left it at that. I didn't really want to pressure him into a relationship with his parents.

On Wednesday the 8th January, I arrived home from college at half five and started working on some coursework along with some other stuff for The Met. Josh would be home around eight thirty so I had just enough time to get everything sorted and then start dinner.

Time moved quickly and it got to eight and I hurriedly started making dinner. I was so hyper focused on cooking the pasta sauce that I almost missed the sound of the doorbell. We still had the ring doorbell so I grabbed my phone and checked the app.

A woman was on our porch. She was of average height with dark, curly hair and was fiddling with the strap on her laptop bag. She looked harmless enough. I turned off the stove top and walked to the door, opening it slightly. She looked startled when she saw me.

"Hello," She smiled, and I was slightly stunned by her familiarity. "I hope it's ok that I've come round. Is Josh here?"

"H-he's at work," I said, and she deflated slightly. "But he'll be home in about ten minutes."

"Wonderful," She said, smiling again. "I'm Carolyn. His mother."

"O-oh, I'm sorry. Please come in." I said.

I opened the door and Carolyn stepped inside. It had stopped snowing finally, but it was chilly and the air stung with cold. Carolyn looked around as I shut the door. She approached the mantlepiece and looked at the wedding photo there.

"You have a lovely home." She said, at last.

"Thank you," I replied, shifting nervously. "S-sorry, I just have to put some washing on."

She nodded and I rushed into the kitchen past the fridge and into the utility room. I loaded up the washing machine. I got back in time for the front door to open. I smiled when Josh walked in. His eyes went from me then to his mom. I tried to read that look in his eyes, but found I couldn't.

"You messaged me the address and I thought I'd come round on my way home from clinic," Carolyn said. "I was rather hoping we could have a talk."

"And I was kinda hopin' to relax after a 12 hour shift." Josh said, shrugging.

"I appreciate that," Carolyn said. "But this won't take long. Please."

Josh's eyes went to me again and I stepped back. Should I give them some privacy? It was only fair. Carolyn sat on the armchair that Zara and Peter had gifted us. Josh sat on the couch and I stayed floating by the archway into the kitchen, feeling nervous.

"D-did you want a drink?" I asked Carolyn.

"Just water if that's ok." She said, smiling.

"Josh?" I asked, and those fathomless blue eyes landed on me again.

"Vodka." He said, flatly.

I disappeared into the kitchen, returning with the drinks and then aiming to make an exit. I was a stranger to Carolyn and didn't want to intrude on their discussion. Carolyn sipped her water and set it on the coffee table. I walked past the couch and jumped when Josh took my hand.

"Where do you think you're going, little mouse?" He asked.

"T-to give you some privacy." I said, softly.