Chapter 38
‘What’s this in aid of?’ asked Luke, as Nick climbed into the van and placed two of Margot’s finest coffees on the dashboard.
‘What? Can’t I buy my mate a coffee from time to time? Consider it a thank you for all you’ve done for me.’
‘Ah, cheers, mate.’ Luke bumped his takeaway container against Nick’s.
‘And,’ said Nick, ‘I was hoping we could have a chat before work.’
Luke set his coffee back on the dashboard. ‘I guessed you were up to something. You’ve never bought me coffee before.’
‘I have,’ said Nick.
‘Name one time,’ said Luke.
Nick racked his brain for all of three seconds before giving up. ‘My parents are back,’ he said.
‘Ah.’ Understanding gleamed in Luke’s eyes. ‘The great David and Elaine Andrews have returned to Saffron Bay. So that’s why you’re out of the house so early, is it?’
Nick groaned. ‘Honestly, mate, they couldn’t have come at a worse time.
If they’d stuck to their original plan, by the time they got home from their cruise, Emily would have been with Carla and I could have found the right moment to tell them about her.
As it was, she had a nightmare and turned up in the living room, crying and upset, and that was their first introduction to their new granddaughter. ’
‘Shit.’
‘Exactly.’
‘I’m guessing they didn’t take the news well?’
Nick grinned at Luke. ‘What makes you think that? They were delighted to be grandparents. They said it was like all their Christmases had come at once.’
Luke’s sympathy turned to disbelief. ‘Wow, that’s a turn-up for the books. I wouldn’t have believed David and Elaine had it in them.’
Nick snorted. ‘I’m joking, of course.’
‘Ah.’ Luke nodded. ‘Makes more sense.’ He lifted his cooling coffee. ‘If you need any help talking to them, you know they love me.’
‘Yeah,’ said Nick. ‘You’re the son they wish they’d had.’
‘Do you need some time off today to speak to them?’
‘Nah,’ said Nick. ‘It’s best I’m out of the house. There’ll be plenty of time to speak to them tonight, over a very awkward dinner, no doubt. Anyway, that’s not the only thing that happened last night.’
‘There’s more?’ said Luke. ‘Bloody hell, what’s happened to you?
You go for years doing absolutely nothing, your life never changing, and then suddenly you’ve got kids appearing out of nowhere, you’re shocking your parents, you’ve got a job…
’ He tipped his head to the side. ‘What’s happened now?
Time travel? You’re a Russian spy? You’ve won the lottery? ’
‘I kissed Kitty.’ Nick decided there was no point beating around the bush.
‘Oh.’ Luke’s eyes widened. ‘And how was it?’
‘Amazing.’
‘Then why do you look so miserable?’
Nick took the lid off his coffee and blew on it to cool it. ‘Because she said it was a mistake. That it can’t happen again.’
‘Ah.’ Luke grinned. ‘So she can’t have enjoyed it as much as you did. Maybe you’re losing your touch?’
‘I didn’t get the chance to ask her if she was enjoying herself at the time. My parents walked in… in the middle of it.’
‘In the middle of what, exactly?’ Luke’s grin widened.
Nick buried his blush in his coffee cup. ‘At the precise moment they walked in, Kitty was on top of me, and I might have got this wrong, but I’m pretty sure she was about to take my clothes off. I’m completely sure I wanted her to.’
‘Bloody hell, mate.’ Luke laughed. ‘Your life’s a soap opera.’
‘The timing was awful.’ Nick scowled at Luke’s laughter. ‘I was mortified.’
‘What did Kitty do?’
‘Ran off. Who can blame her? She must think she needs her head examined for getting involved with someone like me.’
‘I’m sure that’s not the case,’ said Luke. His laughter had fled, and he gave Nick his full attention.
‘I’m not exactly a catch, am I?’ Nick found he wanted to hear what his friend thought.
‘You’ve got a lot going for you, mate. You shouldn’t talk yourself down.’
‘Yeah, thanks.’ He took a gulp of tepid coffee.
‘Anyway, I went to see her this morning to clear the air, and she said, plain as day, it can’t happen again.
So I guess that’s that.’ Nick stared through the windscreen at the muddy foundations of a sunroom waiting to be built.
‘She’s probably right. I’m sure it’s best for everyone.
We should keep things simple, especially as she’s Emily’s teacher.
If we got together and things went wrong, I’d never forgive myself for making Emily’s life harder than it already is. ’
‘You’re a good dad,’ said Luke.
The praise warmed Nick’s heart. All his trying must be paying off. ‘At least I’m getting the hang of something.’
‘And a good builder.’
‘Cheers, mate.’ More praise. A lump formed in his throat.
‘And I know you’re going to steal the show when you get up on that stage.’
‘Oh, the play. Why did I ever agree to do the play?’ said Nick, running a hand through his hair.
Luke had no answer to that. Neither did Nick.
‘Time to start work.’ Luke replaced the lid on his empty coffee cup and tossed it into the plastic waste bag he kept in the van.
‘It’ll be fine,’ he said, opening the door and sliding out.
‘And it was a good idea to clear the air with Kitty. The last thing you need is to be stuck in rehearsals with someone you’re not on speaking terms with. When’s your next rehearsal?’
‘Tomorrow night.’
Luke peered into the back of the van, assessing what they’d need today. ‘You need me there for moral support?’
Nick took a toolbox Luke handed him. ‘I’ll have Solly and Jack there. That’s probably as much help as I’ll need, isn’t it?’
‘Very true,’ said Luke. ‘Now, have you got any more bombshells to drop or can we get on with our work for the day?’
‘You’re a hard taskmaster,’ Nick muttered.
‘And you love me for it,’ said Luke. ‘Come on. Let’s go.’