Chapter 16
‘Aw, c’mon, Enzo,’ says his friend Nina. ‘Just the one. We all need a drink after that.’
Parents’ evening is over at last. The final trickle of mums and dads have mooched off into the drizzle – either reassured that their child is doing as well as they’ve been claiming, or amazed that some positivity has emerged from their discussions tonight.
(You can always tell those ones, Enzo believes.
They virtually bound out of school ) . The trend these days is for the pupil to sit in on teacher meetings, which Enzo is fine with, although of course it means being extra-diplomatic.
But even if the child isn’t present, Enzo still tries to highlight the positive, however challenging the child might be.
‘She’s full of life and contributes so much to the class…
’ By insisting on doing her friends’ hair while I’m trying to convey the basics of the past perfect tense…
‘He’s so interested in the world around him—’ i.e.
, his mates messing around ‘—and I’d love to see him focus a little more.
’ Because really, what is language about?
Communication – and he never stops bloody talking.
‘But he’s definitely making progress this term. ’
‘Oh, that’s good.’ The kid’s mother smiled. ‘Because he likes your lessons, Mr Fontaine.’ Funnily enough, I heard him call me a wanker yesterday.
Now Enzo is looking forward to picking up Mathilde from her friend Mo’s and settling in for a quiet evening.
He pictures poor Spike, hidden away at the back of his wardrobe until he decides what to do with him.
At least Mathilde hasn’t cottoned on to the subterfuge (replacement Spike is standing proud) and so all seems happy at home.
However Nina, a chemistry teacher, is insisting that they head to the pub, as is her partner, Deputy Head Hayley and their other friend Zain, who teaches maths.
‘Just the one, Enzo,’ Hayley urges him.
‘What, on a Monday night?’
‘Yeah, why not? We’ve got an old friend staying and she’s coming out to meet us. I’m sure you two would get along.’
Enzo looks at her in surprise and then chuckles. Now he gets it: a plan has been hatched and Nina and Hayley are keen to set him up. ‘I really have to go,’ he explains. ‘Laura’s away for work at the moment and Mathilde’s staying with me.’
‘Just come for ten minutes,’ Nina says. ‘Just to say hi!’
‘Nina, no one goes to the pub for ten minutes,’ Zain remarks with a smirk.
‘Honestly, I can’t come out tonight,’ Enzo insists as they all leave the building together and make their way across the stark concrete playground towards the car park.
Theirs is a big urban school, built in the seventies and now distinctly ragged around the edges, which is precisely how Enzo feels right now.
However, its results are consistently good.
‘Punches above its weight,’ is the consensus in the neighbourhood, and Enzo is proud of that.
They might not be able to offer trips to China, a wide array of sporting activities and intensive tutoring in the run-up to exams, but they do their best and, for the most part, it’s a happy school and the kids are brilliant.
That is, brilliant in terms of spirit and character, if not always willing to apply themselves and sit on their arses for more than five minutes. However, Enzo does understand that the classroom setting doesn’t suit everyone. Mathilde far prefers music, dancing and art to maths and science.
He’s about to head to his car when Nina stops him. ‘How about Friday night, then? We’re doing a bit of dinner at our place. Can you come along to that?’
‘Laura’s away,’ he reminds her, and Nina grins.
‘So when’s she back? And aren’t there such things as babysitters any more?’
He believes there are, but Enzo hasn’t had cause to book one for years. ‘Uh, she’s back on Wednesday,’ he admits.
‘So you are free on Friday night?’
Free for ‘a bit of dinner’? He’s aware that, at her and Hayley’s place, Nina has assumed the role of home cook – her unshakeable confidence far outweighing any culinary abilities.
Last time they invited a bunch of them over, she proudly served up a prawn linguine so enthusiastically speckled with tiny dried red chillis that Zain’s eyes streamed and Enzo lost the power of speech.
‘You lot just aren’t used to punchy flavours,’ she retorted, as Zain’s girlfriend Marianne gulped tap water from a pint glass.
‘I’ll need to check with Laura,’ Enzo says, although he knows already that Mathilde will be at her mum’s on Friday night.
Of course, it’s not Nina’s cooking that’s causing his hesitation but the prospect of meeting this friend of theirs.
Because what if it’s awkward? That Brown Owl scenario has left him wary of being set up, even in a relaxed group scenario which Nina insists is all they’re planning.
‘Just a nice casual night at our place,’ she says with a smile. ‘Say you’ll come, Enzo. Seven-thirty?’
Would this be worse – or better – than Saska’s litter pick singles? Is the entire world intent on setting him up? ‘I’m not sure,’ he starts and Hayley laughs.
‘’Course he’s coming,’ she announces. Then to Enzo, ‘Her name’s Kim, by the way. And you’re going to love her, I promise.’