Construct a Couple by Talli Roland Page B

maintaining my safe-haven status for Jeremy doesn’t mean I can’t tell Kirsty, though. She knows the whole sordid story of Julia and Jeremy, and I’m dying to see her face when she hears the latest.
    I glance at my watch as I enter the tube station. Five-thirty, which means there’s plenty of time for a pit stop at Kirsty’s prior to the pub. Before descending to the platform – the only place left in the modern universe where you can’t get a mobile signal – I text Jeremy to say I’ll meet him at the Prince Regent. An hour later, I’m in front of my friend’s house, a smile of anticipation on my face.
     “Hey, Ser. Thought we were meeting at the pub?” Kirsty says when she opens the door.
    “Yeah, we were. But I’ve got news!”
    Kirsty raises an eyebrow. “News, huh? I can’t wait to hear it! Come on in – excuse the mess.”
    I follow her into the lounge, noting with chagrin it’s already half empty. Four big boxes sit solemnly in the corner, Excel spreadsheets taped to their sides. An air of transience taints the room and I let out a sigh, picturing the whole place silent and echoey. Until now, it’s been easy to pretend the move wasn’t happening. Faced with physical evidence, though, it’s kind of hard to deny.
    Jane coos from the playpen, and I heave her into my arms. God, she’s so big now. Pressing my cheek against her soft skin, I breathe in the wonderfully sweet baby smell. Another wave of sadness washes over me as I realise it’s not just Kirsty I’ll miss. Jane will grow up without me in her life, too.
    “Hope you don’t mind if I pack while we chat?” Kirsty’s moving like a whirlwind, clearing CDs and books from the shelves. She pauses for a second and grins over at me, hazel eyes dancing. “I can guess what your news is, anyway.”
    My brow crinkles as I set Jane back down. “Really? I don’t think so.”
    “Bet I can.” She starts working again like the Road Runner on speed.
    “Okay. Go for it.” I shrug, curious to see what she comes up with. There’s no way she could know about Julia and the Rose House fiasco.
    “Well . . . you and Jeremy have been together for what, over a year, right? I bet he asked you to move in!” Kirsty rips off a piece of packing tape. “About time, I’d say. Especially since you spend almost every night there.”
    “God, no! You couldn’t be further off!” I force a laugh, but her words make me wonder: should we be thinking of the next step in our relationship?  It’s funny; the two of us have never had one of those ‘status of the relationship’ talks about where things are going. With Jeremy in and out of the hospital, starting up his charity, and focusing on getting well, we’ve been content to just be together.
    There’s nothing wrong with that, is there? We’ll discuss things when we need to. Not every relationship needs to be plotted on one of Kirsty’s many spreadsheets.
    “Oh. Okay, then. Sorry.” Kirsty makes a face and turns towards me again. “So what is it?”
    “Well, remember the story I was fact-checking for Helen Goodall? I uncovered a whole new angle and I’m going to be working with her on it!” I force enthusiasm into my voice, even though I feel a little deflated now.
    “Wow!” She looks impressed.
    “Yup,” I say proudly. “I’m meeting Helen tomorrow morning with the editor.”
    “So how did you find this new angle? I thought you were stuck on . . . what do you call it? Death Row?” Kirsty’s completely forgotten about packing now and is staring over at me, mouth agape.
    “Fact Check Row,” I respond. “Well, the original article was a feature on a construction company. It needed a few more quotes, and when I called up some of their clients, I found out this company did a terrible job refurbishing a care home. The manager tried to reach them, but they went AWOL. The old people are suffering, too.” God, it really is a good story. And wait until Kirsty hears Julia’s