Chapter Six #2
Chris didn’t lie. Janine can really sing.
He also knew now who Chris got his matchmaking trait from.
Dave had introduced her before they’d gone onto the tiny stage.
She’d taken one look at Jeff, her eyes had lit up, and she’d grinned.
When her next words were “Tell me you’re gay and single,” he knew he was in trouble.
Right then she was singing ‘Scarborough Fair’, and her voice was perfect for the lilting melody.
“I’m sorry about Janine,” Dave muttered. Chris sat beside him, enraptured by the music.
Jeff chuckled. “I’m getting used to it.” The song came to an end, and there was a smattering of applause from inside the pub. Then Janine announced there was to be a break, and he locked gazes with Dave. “Here we go again.”
Sure enough, within minutes, Janine had joined them, a glass of cider in her hand. She squeezed onto the picnic bench next to Jeff. “God, it’s freezing out here. Well? Okay so far?”
Jeff nodded. “You’re very good.”
She beamed. “Thank you. So, Dave says you’re playing Sa—Ow!” She reached down and rubbed her leg, glaring at Dave. “What was that for?”
Dave glared back. “My foot slipped.” He mimed zipping his mouth shut.
Janine caught on fast. She smiled at Chris. “Well? Are we as good as last time?”
“Better.”
“Getting excited for Christmas?” She peered at Dave. “Am I invited to Christmas dinner?”
Dave snorted. “I can’t stop you from turning up, can I? Unless we move without telling you.”
“Funny man.” She tapped Chris’s hand. “How many more weeks until the end of term?”
“Just two. There’s going to be a party on the last day.” Chris tugged on Dave’s sleeve. “I meant to ask. Ethan says his mum says it’s okay if I sleep at his house one night. I’ve never done that.”
“We’ll see.” Dave frowned. “Not on a school night though.”
Chris pouted, and Janine laughed. “That won’t work on your dad. It never worked whenever I tried it when I was your age.”
“What’s the age difference between you?” Jeff asked.
“He’s the eldest.”
Dave rolled his eyes. “Ooh, by five minutes.”
Jeff gaped. “You’re twins?”
“Yup. The non-identical variety, as I’m sure you must have noticed.” She tossed back her long dark brown hair. “I’m the better-looking one, obviously.” That earned her another snort from Dave. “Do you have any brothers and sisters?”
Dave coughed. “If he does, it’s none of your business.”
Jeff laughed. “I have one sister, Amy. She’s older than me, by four years.”
“And does she aggravate you as much as Dave aggravates me?” Her eyes twinkled.
“Hey.” Dave glared again.
“I think I’m the annoying one,” Jeff confessed.
“Am I ever going to have a brother or sister?” Chris said suddenly.
Dave and Janine stared at him, then each other. Janine huffed. “Well, don’t look at me. Once was enough.”
Jeff tried hard not to laugh.
Dave put his arm around Chris’s shoulders. “Is that something you’ve been thinking about?”
Chris shrugged. “I just wondered. I wouldn’t mind a little brother. Or a sister.”
Janine grinned at Dave. “If you’re thinking about it, I’d get a move on if I were you. Because you’re not getting any younger.” She peered at Jeff. “Do you want children?”
Christ. Jeff was so glad he’d finished his beer by that point.
A guy poked his head around the door. “Janine?”
She sighed. “No rest for the wicked.” Janine stood. “Jeff, it was lovely to meet you. I’ll say that now in case you’re not around when we get finished.”
“It was a pleasure meeting you.” Jeff couldn’t help liking her.
She leaned over and kissed the top of Chris’s head. “See you in a bit, kiddo.” Then she gave Dave a bright smile. “Looks like you’ve got some thinking to do.” She was still chuckling as she went inside.
“Do you want to be a dad?” Chris asked, focusing on him with an inquiring gaze.
Jeff cleared his throat. “I… haven’t given it much thought,” he said truthfully. “Maybe?”
His response appeared to satisfy Chris, who nodded, then cocked his head toward the open door, through which came Janine’s voice as she launched into another song. “I like this one.”
Jeff didn’t recognize it. Besides, his head was still reeling.
Janine was about as subtle as a brick through a window.
“Listen, you don’t have to stay till the end,” Dave said in a low voice. “We’ve taken up most of your day already.”
Jeff wanted to stay, but he knew what awaited him at the flat. His laundry still needed doing, and he’d be working on Sunday. “I should go,” he said with reluctance. “I’ve got stuff to do.”
Dave nodded. “Thank you again for coming with us.”
Jeff smiled. “Anytime.” It was on the tip of his tongue to ask ‘Will I see you again?’ but he couldn’t bring himself to utter the words. It felt too much as though he was forcing the situation.
I want to see him again. I don’t want this to be the end. It had nothing to do with Chris’s request, and everything to do with Dave.
It was no use. He couldn’t leave without saying something. “Look, you’ve got my number, right?”
To his surprise, Dave’s face brightened. “I do. Thanks for reminding me.”
The knot in Jeff’s stomach unravelled a little at that. “Then this isn’t goodbye, is it?”
Dave’s eyes locked on his. “I hope not.”
That knot melted to nothing, like a dissolvable suture.