Chapter 7
Joe called Mike as soon as he could find a suitable place to pull in on his way home, but it was Lynette who picked up the phone.
‘Still out, I’m afraid.’ She gave a small sigh. ‘Did I tell you he’s having to do some private tuition? We’re finding it a bit tough at the moment.’
Immediately, Joe felt bad. Money had never been a problem when he’d been in the City and even now, he was comfortable. But that was because he didn’t have anyone else to look after. Once, after one of his bonuses, he’d offered to help them out – after all, Mike and Lynette were his best friends – but they’d clearly been offended and the subject hadn’t been raised again.
‘How was your first day?’ Her voice was so soothing and inviting that Joe found himself telling Lynette all about biting Gemma’s head off in the supermarket car park and then finding she was the playgroup leader.
‘No!’ Lynette’s voice had a disbelieving thrill in it. ‘You’ll have to take her out to dinner to apologise!’
‘But she was the one at fault,’ he protested. ‘In fact, they all are. Everyone’s so disorganised.’
‘Is that so?’ Lynette’s voice took on a slightly different edge. ‘Or is that just Joe Balls, Mr Perfectionist speaking? Don’t take this the wrong way, will you? But it sounds as though Corrytown is a very different kettle of fish from your London school. If I were you, I’d go easy. You don’t want to get off to a wrong start, do you?’
Joe began to feel rather uncomfortable. He’d always been able to talk to Lynette, ever since they’d all met at university back in the nineties. In fact, if Mike hadn’t beaten him to it, he might have asked her out. Instead, she’d become his best female friend and her advice was usually sound. ‘Wrong start?’ he repeated ruefully. ‘I’ve got a feeling that it might be a bit late.’
‘Nonsense.’
‘No. I mean it.’ Joe felt his voice become uncertain. ‘What if Mike was wrong when he suggested I should go into teaching? Sometimes I don’t think I’ve got the patience.’
‘You have!’ He could almost see her now, sitting at the foot of the staircase, talking to him and flicking back her shoulder-length auburn hair in the way she did without thinking. Sometimes he thought that if he didn’t have Mike and Lynette, he wouldn’t know where to turn.
‘You’ve got workplace skills, Joe, and that’s what schools need nowadays. Look how amazing you were in that London school. I still remember coming along to that maths quiz you put on.’
‘And what about that boy who threatened you with a knife in class? You dealt with him brilliantly, just as you’ll be able to deal with all these new problems. Just take it slowly, Joe. And don’t be too quick to judge others. Try to show that softer side that lurks underneath.’
Maybe she was right.
‘Changing the subject,’ she was adding in that soft voice of hers, ‘have you heard from Ed? I hope you don’t mind me asking, but Mike and I couldn’t help wondering.’
‘No. Have you?’
He could almost hear her shake her head. ‘Not a word. Mind you, I do think that …’
Whatever Lynette thought was suddenly drowned out by the sound of fierce arguing in the background. His godsons! Nothing could have made him prouder than when Mike and Lynette had asked him to do the honours not just once but twice.
‘Boys, don’t do that!’ Lynette’s voice was rising. ‘No, Charlie, that’s NOT your battery and do be quiet, I’m trying to speak to your godfather on the phone. Sorry, Joe. I’ve got to go. But you are coming down in a couple of weeks for Fraser’s birthday, aren’t you? Great. See you then. Bye!’