Page 32 of His Best Friend's Baby

Seth wasn’t of a mind to elaborate on how closely he’d been involved in this event.

‘And here Ruth and I were, getting excited, thinking you and Polly were an item.’

‘Nah—we’re just old friends from schooldays.’ Nick and Ruth wouldn’t have known this history, having only moved to Wirralong about five years earlier. Nick was a builder, actually, and he’d been one of Seth’s main backups on his house project.

Now, to make the situation totally clear, Seth added, ‘Polly’s gone back to Melbourne.’ He hoped his voice sounded calm as he said this.

‘Already? Oh, well, there you go. Ruth was so sure you two were a thing.’ After a slight pause, Nick gave a chuckle. ‘I guess that means you’re still The Last Man Standing?’

‘I guess.’

This was a title dubbed on Seth by his mates, pretty much all of whom had wives and kids these days. They seemed to get a kick out of rubbishing him over the fact that he’d managed to dodge marriage or a committed relationship. And they loved to throw helpful advice his way that ranged fromStay as you are, matetoYou don’t know what you’re missing.

‘Anyway, we need to catch up,’ Nick said next.

‘Sure, that’d be great.’ Together, they tossed around possible dates and locations and then finished the conversation, but as Seth disconnected, he found himself thinking about his future.

He needed to get back in the social scene. He’d been a bit too reclusive recently, spending most of his spare time on the house.

But, realistically, what he probably needed now was to distract himself. Get stuck into another new project. Here at the house. Not just finishing the fiddly jobs like cupboard doors and light fittings, but something big, something blokesy. Something outdoors, like a barbecue deck and a fire pit. Maybe a pizza oven as well.

And when the job was done, he’d invite his mates and their families for a celebratory barbecue. Hell, yeah, that should do the trick.

Chapter Ten

To: Seth Ramsay

From: Polly Martin

Subject: Huge news

Hi Seth,

Believe me, you’re the first person (apart from her doting mother) to witness this mega event. Ta, da! Summer has rolled over!!

Isn’t she clever? And you’ll be able to see the second time she achieved this amazing milestone in the video I’ve attached to this email. I was so excited this morning when it happened. Here I was, working away designing this complicated database and Summer was lying on her back on a rug on the floor, kicking and cooing away to herself and playing with a rattle.

Then suddenly I heard the sound of a toy at the edge of the rug being knocked over. (Actually, it was that knitted giraffe filled with pebbles that you sent Summer last month.)

How could that happen you might ask, as did I. But as soon as I checked, I found Summer on her stomach instead of her back, and she was trying to reach for the giraffe.

Oh, the clever little girl.♥

She got a squealy hug from Mummy, but then I was a bit mean, as I wanted to actually catch her rolling. So I laid her back in the centre of the rug again and spread her favourite toys around the edges. And this time I had my phone camera ready and I waited.

I must admit I wasted about ten minutes when I should have been working, while Summer cooed and rocked and thought about rolling. And then it happened so suddenly, I almost missed it. But it’s there on film, Seth. Ten seconds of history never to be repeated. LOL.

Oh, and the other big news is that we’re moving next week. My business as a web developer is gaining traction, so I’m comfortable about getting a bigger apartment. We’ll have two bedrooms and a nice roomy living area and plenty of built-in cupboards. Yay! Summer and I won’t know ourselves with all that space, but I think it’s important seeing she might be crawling in a few short months.

And you could even come and stay if you wanted to. Anyway, I’m sure your new bbq deck is coming along nicely and the fire pit will be very welcome now the nights are so much cooler.

Best wishes and enjoy the vid,

Polly x

To: Polly Martin

From: Seth Ramsay

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