42. Carly
Chapter 42
Carly
T he ambulance moves forward at last and manages to squeeze past whatever had been obstructing its path. I can see them now. Jack and Molly, outside the entrance, him down on his knees for some reason, as if he’s proposing. Or begging.
‘Well, that’s that then,’ Syd says, as the car moves past them and all I can do is peer over my shoulder as we drive away and they disappear from view. ‘Nothing else we can do, but hope he sorts things out.’
‘He will.’
‘And is that what you want, Carls? Jack playing happy families with his wife and child?’
I don’t have to think about my answer. ‘Yes. Whatever I felt for Jack, or thought I felt, it’s gone. Finished. And he’ll be a much better dad, and hopefully a better husband too, now he’s realised that’s what he wants.’
‘That’s good, because he was never good enough for you. Or available enough! So, tell me about you and that daft brother of mine. Things going well? He seems pretty smitten.’
‘Does he?’ I am ridiculously pleased to hear that, because I have to confess I’m pretty smitten too. ‘I like him, Syd. I don’t know him very well yet, but I really like what I’ve seen so far.’
‘Oh, don’t tell me what you’ve seen so far, Carls. Which bits my brother has had out on display. Not an image I want to have in my head before I eat my dinner!’
‘You know what I meant.’
‘When are you two getting together next, then?’
‘I don’t know. I have a funeral to go to, with Mum, next week. And Suze wants me to go shopping with her for bridesmaid dresses. And there’s work…’
‘Sounds like you’re making up reasons to be busy. Don’t you want to go out with my brother?’
‘Of course I do, but… well, he won’t be here for long, will he? I don’t want to get too attached and then have him leave.’
‘Like Jack did?’
‘Yeah, I suppose so.’
‘Daz isn’t Jack, Carls. And he’s not going back to Australia with Mum and Dad. He’s decided to stay. Didn’t he tell you? A few months at least, and if he can get a visa sorted and find a job, he’s thinking of staying on longer term.’
‘Is he?’
‘Yeah. Great news, eh?’ Syd stops the car in a layby and just looks at me.
‘What? Why are we stopping?’
‘This is meant to be your driving lesson, remember? We’ve wasted a good half of it chasing about sorting out Jack’s horribly messy love life, but there’s still time left for you. And I won’t charge you for the full hour, don’t worry.’
‘Maybe we should send Jack a bill.’ I laugh. ‘For the taxi fare?’
‘No, I think we can let him off this time. A mission of mercy. For a mate. Now, come on, swap over. You’re in the driving seat now, Carly.’
And, as I sit behind the wheel, take a look in the rear-view mirror, put my foot down and move cautiously ahead, I think maybe, finally, I am.
THE END