Page 10 of Fierce Family

“Now that’s been cleared up, tell us, Josh, are you married, children or are you—” I’m saved from Peter’s question by the nurse who calls for Kieran.

Sheila and Nicholas both go with him, which leaves me and Peter alone in the waiting area.

“Still waiting on my answer, you know,” Peter chuckles after a while.

“Single, no children.” My reply is short because I’m not sure I want to tell my life story to a person I only met ten minutes ago.

“Never married?” Peter probes and I give him a look. “Sorry I’m just nosy. Would you prefer me to ask about your fire hose instead?” he laughs, making me grin too.

“One not so nice ex-wife who I prefer not to talk about.” I take a sip from my tea hoping the interrogation is over.

“Oh goody. So… you’re not married, have a decent job,… are hot,” he fans himself and throws me a knowing smile. We fall silent. I’m not the best at small talk, especially in a weird situation like this. What do you say to the partner of the ex-husband of the woman you fancy? Come to think of it, I’m not even sure he is the partner, I’m just making assumptions.

“Sooo are you and Nicholas…?” I break the silence.

Peter nods, “Yeah, Nico and I have been together for… oh, nine years now. Are you and Sheila…?”

“No!” I exclaim way too harshly. I almost make it sound like I wouldn’t want to be.

“No? To be honest I’m not surprised. I think she’s still worried about opening up—” He stops himself from divulging more information. I wonder if I should let it go but I want to know more.

“Why’s that?” I probe.

“She hides behind her job and the boys but really I think Nico leaving did hit her hard,” he looks guilty. “Plus she’d have said.” He doesn’t elaborate but I assume that means she has a good relationship with her ex and with Peter.

“How did you meet? I mean, given that you’re still here waiting makes me think you didn’t just meet today.”

“My fire crew has been called out to Greenview Manor a few times.”

“Aha. And you are interested in her?” he asks bluntly.

“I…,” I feel my ears turn hot, “well—”

"Say no more," he chuckles before turning serious. "Let me give you some advice though: If you're genuinely interested in her, take it slow and don't give up. But if you're just looking to fuck her, let me warn you that both me and Nicholas will make your life hell."

All the light-heartedness and cheek disappear from Peter's expression as he shows me his genuine concern for Sheila. It's clear she has a good friend in him, and I take his warning to heart.

“Apparently I have been mooning over her for the last eight months.” I think his honesty deserves some in return.

“Eight months, huh? Josh, I think it’s time you make a move otherwise I’ll have to help you along,” he laughs. “Nico and I have the boys this weekend so… Sheila will be free.”

“Thanks for the tip. But you know nothing about me, you’re very trusting.”Does he always shove her towards the next best single guy?

He sighs. “I’m a good judge of character. And men who are up to no good don’t hang around in a hospital for hours.”

He’s right in my case but I’m not sure I share his faith in people.

Chapter 6

Sheila

This whole afternoon hasbeen a write-off. It took another two hours for Kieran to have x-rays confirming the break, to have a cast fitted and to be issued crutches and a follow up appointment. Enough time for Peter to call Gregory, make him pack the boys’ bags and come to Keswick on the bus. They don’t need much when they stay with Nico and him because they each have a room in their house with games and computers. But I still don’t understand why we couldn’t have just driven back to Fellside together and collected Gregory from there. Instead they made Josh hang around to give me a lift.

Now they’ve all piled in Nico’s car: Peter in the back with Kieran’s leg on his lap and Gregory in the passenger seat in the front.

“Take it easy and let me know if it gets too much,” I plead again and I see that all four of them are ready to roll their eyes at me. I can’t help it though. He is my baby boy.

“Ready?” Josh asks from behind me.

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