Chapter 7
Chapter
Seven
Joel
“ U ncle Fitz!” Teddy shrieks, dropping his toy dinosaurs to the ground and running across the room as I walk in with Milo. I can’t tell you when the name Fitz came about. I have had the nickname for years, Edith being the one that gave me it the first time, and it’s just kinda stuck. Teddy caught on and I’ve been Uncle Fitz ever since.
He leaps into my arms and wraps his little arms around my neck in a tight hug as I lock his body in my grip, Milo waiting tolerantly for his cuddle from my nephew.
I’d known coming down here today would be the right move. Working off my endless anxiety in my gym at home hadn’t shifted the feeling—my nightmare is still hanging over me and everywhere I turn, I still see Sophia, but within seconds of seeing Teddy, everything has changed.
“Hey, scamp. How are you doing?” I ask, surprised to see him here as he’s usually at our parents on Wednesdays for his mid-week visit.
He pulls back, looking at me with wide eyes and a toothy grin. “Are you here for a beer?”
“Hell no. I’m here to see you.”
“And drink beer?”
“Ssh, don’t tell.” I grin.
“Dad is going to make me bacon.”
“Ted, dude. I’m going to cook bacon. I’m not making it,” Daniel says, twisting and turning himself in every direction behind the bar as he works. I often wonder how he does all of this on his own.
“The bacon still goes in the pan, Dad,” Teddy deadpans, and I can’t help but chuckle.
“Your dad is looking a little stressed.”
“That’s because Mary rang in sick, and Mum brought Ted back early because her painting class was changed to tonight or something.”
“Ah. So, Daddy’s blood pressure is a little higher than it should be,” I joke.
It’s very rare that Mum and Dad can’t look after Teddy. At first, looking after a tiny person had been a big shock to them, but now, they adore him. When they are not looking after him or me and my brother, they are usually out driving the countryside or ‘making a day of it’ at the garden centre and finishing it off with dinner. The outdoors is their thing and they’ve have had the same routine for years. It’s like their youthful days of dating stopped when they married and had us boys, replacing their wild nights with garden centres, puzzle books and Yorkshire tea. They are not old in their ways, they just like the quieter side of life. I honestly don’t know what I would have done without them this past year or so.
“Yes. Meanwhile, the rug rat here is full of excitement. Can you watch him a second while I head to the kitchen to check on things?”
I nod, looking back at my nephew.
“Can’t get the staff.” Teddy shrugs.
Seriously, this kid.
Carrying him over to the bar, I sit myself down on one of the empty stools, placing him on my knee, his arms remaining around my neck. The bond I have with this boy is unreal. I never knew someone so small could have such a great personality and character.
“So how was it at Nanna and Grandpas?”
“Grandpa let me use his rake. I got up all the grass after he cut it.”
“Awesome. That sounds like fun.”
His eyes widen. “And then Nanna made us cookies to eat.”
“No way! I hope you left some for your Uncle Fitz?”
He shakes his head, grinning. “Nope. I eated them all myself.”
“What? Not one?”
“You wouldn’t like them anyway.”
“That’s it, you cheeky little scamp. Get him, Milo.” I lean him right back so he’s upside down and his deep, belly giggle roars to life as Milo licks his chin and neck. Begging for us both to stop, his little body tries to wriggle out of my grip.
“Edith. Help me!” he yells, reaching his arms out. I turn to find Daisy and Edith entering the bar, and I instantly lift Teddy back up allowing Edith to pull him out of my hold, her smile as bright as day.
“What are Uncle Fitz and Milo doing to you? ”
“I eated all Nanna’s cookies and didn’t save him any.”
“I wouldn’t have either,” she adds. “Now give me Teddy cuddles.”
He wraps his arms around her and she holds him tight before sitting him back on the barstool next to me.
“Thank you, Mr Ted. I needed this big hug today.”
“Nanna said my cuddles are the best.”
“Your nanna is right. Did you have fun there?” She taps her finger on his little button nose, and I find myself so engrossed in their conversation.
“Yep. And on the weekend, we are going to the park.”
Edith’s eyes widen as she gasps. “You are such a lucky boy. I bet when you go super high on the swings you will see the whole world.”
“And dinosaurs?”
“Especially dinosaurs.”
He grins, holding her gaze like she’s the only one in the room, and I can’t help but smile. She gives him so much time, and the love I see radiate between them brings warmth to my chest. Edith is the complete opposite of her sister. Sophia had been more materialistic. Wanting everything brand new and whatever that may have been, it’d had to be the best .
But with Edith, every day there is something to be grateful for. I like the way she isn’t afraid to let her hair down. I like the way that she gets down on the floor in her best clothes at family parties and plays dinosaurs with my nephew when I’d secretly wanted to see my wife do that. But Sophia never had. Despite being a beautician, Edie isn’t afraid to walk around with unwashed hair, answer the door with a full face mask on or show off her makeup-free face. She is natural. Pure. Absolutely fucking beautiful.
“Ted, mate. Come get your food,” Daniel says, re-entering the bar and placing a bright blue plate on the top of the bench table near the window with a sandwich cut into four triangles for him.
“Finally. I’m starving over here. Thanks, Dad.” Teddy skips over to the table and Milo follows, curling himself up next to him and looking at him optimistically with big golden eyes in the hopes of some scraps of food.
Daniel returns behind the bar, exhales long and hard and flips his bar towel over his shoulder. “Right. The kid has been fed. Who is next?”
“Wow. Someone looks like a hot mess,” Daisy says to Daniel as she leans against the bar. “Did you get her number?”
“Whose number? ”
“Whoever made you look like you’ve been dragged through a hedge for all the right reasons,” Edith adds, now sitting on the barstool next to me.
He rolls his eyes. “I didn’t get anyone’s number thank you very much, ladies.”
“Well, then you must have a powerful hand that kept you up most of the night then,” Daisy jokes and I burst out laughing.
“What do you want, Daze?” Daniel sighs, a small grin on his face.
“Two coffees and your finest chocolate cake. It’s a cake kinda day.”
“How’s work, Daisy?” I ask, now that she’s looking more refreshed than the other day. “You back on night shift?”
“Yeah, and it’s still crazy. I had two road traffic accidents and a stab wound to deal with on my last shift. That was before the arrival of two drunken idiots who’d thought it was fun to throw darts at one another.”
I laugh. “Where were the wounds?”
“The forehead and the nostril. That guy had his very own nose piercing thanks to his friend.”
“We never did stupid shit like that when we were kids,” my brother adds .
“Oh no, of course, you didn’t. You were such good boys,” Daisy deadpans, giving him the eye.
My eyes drift to Edith, who is now in a complete world of her own as she plays with one of the beer mats. Her dark hair is down today, just the way I like it, and a few strands have fallen around her face. She’s not wrapped up like it’s the middle of winter anymore as it’s now a little warmer out, although, she’s not ditched the jumpers just yet. Tonight, she’s wearing an off-the-shoulder jumper that shows her pure skin and the freckle that sits directly under her collarbone—one I used to circle my finger around many years ago but no longer can.
Reaching out, I gently shift the strand of her hair over her shoulder, gaining her attention and hoping she’s still not beating herself up over the other day. I’d known there was no harm meant. “Hey, daydreamer. You okay?”
Her big, crystal blue eyes hold mine and she hesitates for a moment. “I’m fine.”
I know she’s lying, and I get a sudden urge to know more.
I’ve never liked seeing her down, because her smile is like sunshine on a cloudy day, so I try to make sure her days aren’t full of sadness.
“You’re not fine. Talk to me. What’s up?”
She throws the beer mat down and exhales. “Dinner at the Kennedy’s.”
Shit.
I’d forgotten she’d had dinner at her dad’s at the weekend. I should have known: her mood always tumbles after Lorna’s fancy fucking dinners. Remorse grips my chest knowing I’ve let her go it alone once again.
“What did she say this time?”
“Oh, nothing much. Just passed comment on my style, my failed relationships and informed me that it is a requirement to find a plus one for Dad’s retirement party.”
I frown. “Why do you need a plus one?”
“Who fucking knows where that woman is concerned.” Her frustration is palpable. “Anyway, look out for your invite because you’ll get one soon enough, I’m sure.”
“Well, even if I do, I won’t be going.”
She smiles but it doesn’t reach her eyes.
Since Sophia died, the Craven has been my only venue for socialisation. It’s the place I’m most comfortable. The village is so small that everyone knows your business, so word had got around about her accident in no time.
At first, I’d found it hard knowing everyone had heard, but it soon became a relief because I hadn’t had to stop and explain the details to everyone who’d wanted to give their condolences. From that point on, I’d made sure I’d put my heart and soul into caring for those around me: do the right thing and look after my family; look after Edith in the way I know she needs.
But right now, as I look at her, I feel so torn.
Offering to be her plus one would also mean spending an evening with my mother-in-law, and I don’t think I’m ready for the level of conversation I know she’d want me to have, especially when she’ll be entertaining others. It may be Gerald’s night, but we all know it will be the Lorna show.
The last thing I want to do is let Edith down, so I say the only thing I know how, not missing the sadness in her eyes. “I’m sure you’ll find someone.”
“Find someone for what?” Daniel says, handing Edith her cake.
“My dad’s retirement party. Mummy Lorna has ordered me to find a date.” She sighs. “I may have to put out an advertisement. ‘Date wanted for one night. Must wear a tux and be prepared for interrogation,” she says sarcastically.
Daniel cuts me a look, but I shake my head discreetly, knowing what he’s thinking and what I should probably say in response to Edith’s situation .
“You best put in the terms and conditions that they are likely to be driven out by a family member with a pitchfork too,” Daisy says.
“I wouldn’t advise that,” I say. “We don’t want to scare anyone off before they’ve even got there.”
“Maybe I can hook you up with one of the guys from work. Jordan and Tom are both single,” Daisy chirps.
The thought of her doing that makes my chest squeeze.
“You could perhaps go out for a drink beforehand so it’s not so awkward on the night.”
“Edith is happy playing single,” Daniel cuts in, which has her responding with a middle finger.
“It wouldn’t matter anyway,” Edith replies. “Five minutes in Lorna’s presence and he’d head out running.”
“At least it would give you the excuse to leave,” I quip, stealing a piece of her cake.
“Well, I guess there is that.”
“You know what we all need?” Daisy adds. “A night out in Skipton.”
Edith and I simultaneously groan. Daisy’s nights out include shots of anything alcoholic, burgers and coming home in time to meet the paperboy on his morning rounds .
I’m young, don’t get me wrong, but I’m not twenty anymore.
“Don’t go all Kevin and Perry on me. I’m serious. We all need a night out. It’s been ages since we just let loose.”
“I’m up for that,” my brother replies.
“Can’t we just have a few drinks here? It’s our birthdays soon,” I protest, but know it’s no use. Both mine and Edith’s birthdays are within a few days of each other, so a double celebration has always been our thing.
“Here? Jesus, no. I see the four walls of my bloody pub every day. The last thing I want to do is get shitfaced in it, too. I want nightlife with people, women and sex.”
“You see, Danny Boy here knows what I’m talking about. What do you think, Edith? Please say yes. I want to dance and sing,” Daisy says, flinging her arms around as if she’s already on the dance floor.
“I mean… We haven’t all been out out in a long time. And I do miss dancing,” Edith adds, killing that little bit of hope I had that she’d want to stay closer to home. The last thing I want to do is go out and have fun.
“Excellent. That’s agreed then,” my brother says, tapping his hands on the wood of the bar .
“Wait. That doesn’t mean it was a yes,” Edith replies.
“Well, it does now. Skipton it is.” He gives Daisy a high five and something tells me they’ve been planning this before today. “Get your best shirt out, big bro. We have a night on the town.”
I roll my eyes, knowing I’m not going to get out of this one even if I try.
Turning to face me, Edith smiles. It’s a little anxious. She knows how I’m feeling about this already. Placing her hand on my arm, she holds my gaze, steady and accurate. “You don’t have to do this if you don’t want to. I can make some excuse and stay here with you. But… it might do us good.”
“Yeah, I know,” I sigh, almost at the point of laughing at myself about how fucking secluded I’ve become. “Maybe I just need to man up.”
She gives my arm another little squeeze. “Is that a yes?”
“I guess so.”
“Excellent.” She beams. I may not be in the mood to venture out—I may not be in the mood at all these days—but if anything, it’s her smile that tells me I’ve done the right thing.
“Besides, the extra eye candy will help with finding a date for Dad’s party as opposed to Daisy’ s mates.”
My stomach tightens at the thought. The very day I’d heard her yell at a boy to ‘fuck off’, I knew I needed Edith in my life. Her words of fire had had me grinning like an idiot as I watched her stand her ground. She’s strong in her own way, but the moment I’d seen Jacob Brookeshall push her to the ground, something inside of me had roared to life and I’d lost my fucking shit. At that moment, I’d made a vow to protect her forever.
And that need to protect had overwhelmed me even more after I kissed her.
It had been a kiss that was intended to help her, yet it had changed everything for me.
It was a kiss that hadn’t supposed to carry any meaning, yet it was one I’ve never forgotten.
Not able to help myself, I reach out and tuck the hair behind her ear and murmur. “I’m sure you’ll find someone to go with, Edie.”
She holds my gaze, but her smile is sorrowful. “I hope so.”
“Although, you may want to put a smile on this pretty face of yours. Any applicants from your advertisement will be scared off by you let alone Lorna.”
She rolls her eyes, breaking the moment we are both lost in. “Arsehole.”
“Oh, I know,” I grin, taking another piece of her cake .
“And stop stealing my bloody cake!” She pushes on my shoulder, forcing me back.
“But you’ve always said it’s good to share.”
“Not when it comes to my cake. Now back off before I stab you with my fork,” she threatens, causing me to laugh and hold my hands up in surrender, pleased her mood is now lighter and that the sparkle is back in her eyes—the one I always love to see.