Lauren picks up my phone and pretends to vlog. “Hashtag Help me prove that termites like tunes as they work! Sorry, guys! Sadly, this amazingness could not be proven, as we couldn’t find any willing termites. In fact, we couldn’t find any termites at all. Next time, join us for Hashtag Help! Can giraffes swim? In fact, can they high-dive in an emergency?”
This makes me really laugh. When Lauren goes on one of her fantasy trips, she’s really funny. I don’t know if anyone else would, but I don’t care. You know what best friends are like. You have tons of private jokes between you that no one else gets.
I look at Lauren. “How are things here, anyway?”
Lauren looks down. “Oh, they’re definitely splitting up, Mills. I’ll be staying here with Dad. Mum’s gone to live with my aunt, but I see her lots. It’s better but, you know, I’m really down about it. I love both of them, and they love me, but they just hate each other. Mum said she only liked my dad for about twenty minutes in 2004. When they got married, they had an argument about how to cut the wedding cake. Mum wanted to do it with a normal knife. Dad wanted to do it on his own using a ceremonial dagger someone had given him at a Latin American music festival in 1996. Yeah. It didn’t look good from the start, really.”
This is funny and sad at the same time.
I give Lauren a squeeze. My parents split up, but they still get along. I know this is a nightmare for her. I don’t think she really got me around to see if insects like their music. I think she wanted a hug. I totally get that. If I were in her position, I’d want a hug 24/7.
“Let’s go back to my house,” I say. Lauren’s coat is on before I finish the sentence.