Chapter 2
805 Words
2
The toast pops just as another text comes through. This is now the seventh I’ve received in less than ten minutes. And all from the same impatient i***t: Stuart Rees. My boss.
I mean what’s the rush? The delivery isn’t exactly going anywhere.
“Hi, Hun,” I say, as Anna enters the kitchen, holding Sammy in her arms. She sits him down in his chair, stroking his arm as she walks away.
“Hi, handsome,” I tell Sammy, kissing the top of his velvet forehead. “Did you sleep all right?”
“Yes, Daddy,” he replies, his voice chirpy despite it being so early.
“Did Mammy read you a nice story last night?”
Sammy just nods, beaming.
“Which one was it?”
“Nelson the Teddy Bear.”
“Oh, really? That’s my favourite one. Maybe I can read you one tonight. And when I get back from work we’ll have another look for Susie. I’m sure she’s just found a really good hiding place and she’s just waiting for us to find her.”
“Okay, Daddy.”
I kiss him again and then ruffle his blond hair.
“How are you feeling this morning?” I ask Anna. “Still feel sick?
Anna walks over to Sammy and places down a small bowl of cornflakes on the table. “Yeah. And drained.”
“I’m not surprised. Are you gonna be okay looking after Sammy this morning?”
“Yeah, of course,” she replies, yawning loudly. “But I thought you were off ‘til one?”
I pull out the two slices of toast and start to butter them. “Had a text this morning to come in early. There’s been another problem in Swindon.”
“Another? Jesus. Isn’t that like the third this year? I thought they’d sorted it.”
I shrug. “Obviously not. And now I’ve got to go in because Rich is still off with stress. I mean seriously. Stress. Everyone’s off with stress these days. It’s like the new get-out-of-jail-free-card. When my dad worked down the mine, they’d have laughed right in your face if someone were off because of stress. Absolutely pathetic.”
“Well, that’s what you get for working in a place like Romkirk.”
“Yeah, well, if we all stopped work because of a little stress, the country would come to a standstill. It’s not fair to everyone else.”
I take a big bite of toast, leave the other one on the worktop, and grab my jacket from the back of the chair. “Right, I better get going. You take it easy today. Nothing strenuous now.”
“Yes, yes,” Anna replies, as she pours herself a coffee. “And make sure you get something to eat today. Put your foot down. Otherwise there’ll be nothing left of you to love.”
“All right,” I reply, grinning tightly. “I promise. I’ll get a sandwich from the vending machine.”
“Make sure you do. Can’t have you looking too slim for Vegas. Not with all those loose women on the prowl.”
I kiss her on the lips, and then playfully squeeze her a*s. “You know you’re the only loose woman for me. Plus, you still owe me S. E. X.”
She smiles. “Don't worry, I haven’t forgotten. Now get going or you’ll hit traffic.”
I walk over to Sammy, slipping my jacket on at the same time. “I’ll be home later to read you a story. All right, handsome?”
“Okay, Daddy. See you later.”
“Love you both,” I say as I leave the house.
Outside, the sun is beaming but there’s still a chill in the air. I shelter my eyes with my hand as I reach the car. Winter. Typical. The one day when it’s not raining, and I have to work.
I climb into my car and drive off down the street, eyes scanning for the b****y dog.
Stupid mutt. I don't even like them. I never have. But no, he wanted a dog. Not a budgie, or a fish; not even a b****y hamster. No, it had to be a great big Alsatian.
A pug would have been something.
Just a few metres before Rose Avenue, I see one of my neighbours, the soaring six-foot-three Janet Webber, standing on the pavement, getting ready to cross the road. Every time I clap eyes on the woman, I feel inadequate about my meagre five-foot-nine stature. Wouldn’t fancy being married to that one. Way too tall. And at least forty-five. She seems to be in a trance, wearing just a white dressing-gown and blue slippers. Lazy cow. How hard is it to throw on a pair of jeans and a jacket?
For Christ’s sake. What’s the world coming to?
Maybe she’s seen the dog.
All of a sudden she starts to cross right in front of me.
I slam on the brakes, missing her by mere inches.
“s**t!” I shout in fright. The noise of tyres scraping against the tar snaps her out of her daze. She holds a trembling hand over her chest as she stares at me through the windscreen.
I push the button on the door to open the window. “You all right, Janet?” I ask her. “You nearly got yourself killed.”
She doesn’t answer.
“You all right, Janet?” I ask again. “Do you need some help?”
She then gives a smile and says, “I’m fine thanks, Rob. Just half asleep. I’ll be all right.” She gives a quick wave and continues crossing the road to her house.
Frowning in confusion, I return a wave and then close the window.
“Weird woman,” I say under my breath as I drive off.
Whole street’s full of ‘em.
- Writer
