Page 32 of The Three of Us
‘Same. Mum’s convinced it’s a boy though. One of her feelings!’
‘Yeah, like when she was totally sure the village kids’ football team were going to win that cup, remember? And what happened? They lost five–nil, and young Donny scored an own goal, the poor lad. No, I don’t think we should rely too much on her little prophecies and go too heavily on buying blue. Which reminds me, we still have to tell my parents too, don’t we? About the baby, I mean. Before the village rumour mill does it for us. You do know we won’t get a moment’s peace once they know? Once everybody knows?’
‘We’ll do it tomorrow.’ She lifts his other hand, the one not looped through her hair, and lays it on her belly. ‘Tonight, let’s just go to sleep. Together. And enjoy it being just the three of us.’
Chapter 19
Carly
‘You’re doing great.’
Syd and I are sitting at traffic lights and I have one eye on the red light in front of me and the other on the rear-view mirror, aware of the car behind, the sound system blaring out, the driver with one elbow half out of the window, fingers tapping impatiently on the steering wheel, and revving his engine as if he can’t wait to overtake.
‘Am I? It still worries me when there’s some idiot like that on the road. How am I meant to know what he’s going to do next?’
Syd touches my arm. ‘Just chill, Carly. You can’t do anything about other drivers or how they behave. Just concentrate on what you’re doing. You can try to anticipate any problems but that’s it. Just because someone else is speeding or getting angry or driving up your rear end, don’t rise to it. What’s the speed limit here?’
I look at the road, for signs and cameras, and note the rows of street lights. ‘Thirty?’
‘Spot on. So, drive at thirty. If the bloke behind you doesn’t like it, that’s his problem, not yours.’
I like Syd. I like his hint-of-an-accent and that laid-back attitude all Aussies seem to have. I feel comfortable with him, and safe. I have picked a time for my lesson, straight after work, when, even though there’s more traffic about, at least I know there’ll still be daylight. I know I’m going to have to face it sooner or later but for now I feel a bit wary of being out on the roads once it starts to get dark.
The lights change and the car behind swerves out and roars past. We both laugh, five minutes later, when we pass the driver at the side of the road, out of his car and talking to two police officers.
‘See?’ Syd says. ‘You didn’t have to do anything. He did that all by himself. Arrogant, impatient, thinks he’s king of the road. Look where that got him. I call that karma, don’t you?’
When we get back to my place, I ask him in for a coffee.
‘I shouldn’t really. You were my last lesson for today and I promised I’d get back to help with the kids. Rosie fancied a night out but we couldn’t get a babysitter, so the least I can do is get home and cook something, so she can put her feet up. Give her a break.’
‘I don’t have any plans.’ I’ve said it before I’ve had time to think what I’m doing.
‘Well, I know Rosie would probably love to see you, but I was thinking more of dinner for two, if you know what I mean. Date nights are few and far between these days.’
I laugh. ‘I didn’t mean me turning up and being a gooseberry. I meant me turning up and being your babysitter. If you still want to go out.’
‘You mean it?’
‘Of course I do. You’d have to give me a bit of a crash course in what to do, but you’re a good teacher. The driving has shown me that.’
‘Not so much of the crash talk when it comes to driving though, eh?’ Syd laughs at his own joke. ‘But, honest, Carly, that would be great, if you’re up for it. There’s not a lot to nappy changing and bottles once you give it a go. I couldn’t have been more of a novice myself when they were first born, and we wouldn’t be asking you to do anything much except just be there. They’ll be in bed asleep most of the time. I hope!’
‘Right, you’re on. What time do you want me?’
‘Come now if you like. I can drive you, save messing about on public transport later. And it’s already half past six. I’m happy to pay for a pizza delivery for your tea, or you can raid our fridge. There’s cider and lager, and plenty of biscuits if you fancy a snack later. We won’t stay out too late, I promise. Ten thirty? Eleven? We never make it awake until midnight these days. Too scared of turning back into Cinderella! And the little buggers get us up so early in the mornings.’
‘Okay, why not? Pop up for quarter of an hour while I get changed and grab a book or something?’
We get out of the car and head up the stairs to the flat. Fran is sitting cross-legged on the carpet in the living room, surrounded by a tumbling pile of old socks and rolled-up tights. She looks up and grins. ‘Just having a sort-out,’ she says. ‘Knicker drawer next, so you’re lucky you came in when you did. Not a sight for male eyes!’
‘Oh, I don’t know,’ Syd says. ‘I like a pair of big old Bridget Jones bloomers. They’re great for washing the wheels of the car, and for wiping the windscreen when it snows. Better than the cloths you can buy for the job. And bigger. Let me have any you’re going to chuck.’
I can see from Fran’s face that she isn’t sure if he’s joking or not. He winks at me and follows me into the kitchen. ‘You go and get sorted. I can make my own coffee,’ he says, reaching for the kettle. ‘Shall I do one for Fran too?’
‘She’s never been one to say no. Especially if you throw in a chocolate biscuit.’
When we walk into Syd and Rosie’s, she is nowhere to be seen.