Page 19 of Just the Beginning

They all clinked and took a sip. ‘Oh, this is a nice one,’ his mum said, approvingly. ‘Lovely and fresh. Make a note of the label, Jago, and we can pick some more up next week.’

‘Yes, dear.’ His father pulled at his fringe like an old-fashioned servant tugging at their forelock.

His mum picked up her napkin and swiped at her husband’s head with it. ‘Cheeky so-and-so.’ But they were both smilingfondly as his dad picked up the bottle and took it over to the little blackboard they used to build a shopping list and made a note.

Resuming his seat, Jago swapped the bottle for his glass and raised it to Rick. ‘Cheers again, son, and thanks for dinner.’

‘You haven’t tasted it yet!’ Ed pointed out, earning a swat from their mother’s napkin.

‘Stop teasing your brother. Pay him no mind, Rick. I’m sure it’ll taste wonderful. Anya gave you the recipe, you said?’

He nodded. ‘Yes, when we had dinner I asked her for something foolproof.’

Ed whistled low through his teeth. ‘Blimey, you’re a fast worker.’

Rick shot him a shut-your-mouth glare. The last thing he needed was Ed stirring, especially when there was no cause for it. ‘We were going through a contract because Anya’s working for Uncle Davy over the summer. It was easier to do it at her place because she’s got Freya to think about,remember?’

‘Oh I remember lots of things,’ Ed said, foolishly choosing to ignore Rick’s warning look.

Time to change the subject fast, and Rick had the perfect distraction. You’d think after all these years Ed would’ve learned not to take him on because only one of them ever came out on top.

Rick rested his elbows on the table and made a point of leaning too close, as if studying Ed’s face. ‘You’re looking a bit tired. Late night, little brother?’

Ed’s eyes narrowed suspiciously. ‘Not especially, why do you ask?’

‘No reason.’ Rick leaned back in his seat letting a slow smile spread across his mouth. ‘I had a great sleep and woke up early. It was such a lovely morning that I went for a jogalong the sea front, must’ve been about five-thirty. The air at that time is so refreshing, don’t you think?’ Ed had looked anything but refreshed when Rick had seen him climbing out the passenger seat of a little red sports car Rick hadn’t recognised.

Ed’s face flamed about the same shade as the paintwork had been. ‘Bit early for me.’

‘Uh huh.’

Their mother cast a considering look between them, clearly sensing the undercurrent but deciding to ignore it when she asked, ‘So how is Anya getting on?’

Rick shrugged, taking a sip of his wine. ‘I haven’t seen her since she started the job. Thought it would be best to give her some space to find her feet.’

‘Probably better to ask how Davy’s getting on,’ his father said with a gruff laugh. ‘I’m still amazed you persuaded him to finally take on a bit of help.’

Rick stared into his glass, wishing he could just blurt out the truth. But he’d given Davy his word. ‘That bump to his head must’ve finally knocked some sense into him, I guess.’

His dad smiled. ‘Well, whatever it was, Pa’s grateful you found a way. Seems like it’s not only me and Ryan that have been worried about things. He said it’s a weight off his mind knowing Davy’s slowing down a bit. Mind you, he’s a fine one to talk! You know him and Ma have taken on looking after young Freya while Anya’s at work?’

Rick shook his head. ‘I had no idea.’ It hadn’t occurred to him to ask her about childcare, which honestly should’ve been the first thing he’d thought about. It just wasn’t something he was used to, because none of them had kids.

‘Helen’s doing a couple of afternoons a week. She offered to do more but Ma and Pa are loving having a little one around theplace.’ The slightly wistful tone in their mother’s voice had both Rick and Ed shifting in their seats.

‘Don’t be getting broody on our behalf, Mum,’ Ed warned her. ‘Besides, you’re too young to be a grandma.’

Rachel laughed. ‘That’s very flattering, darling, and I’m in no hurry. Not that I wouldn’t mind at least one of you showing some sign that you might settle down.’

‘Liam has a girlfriend,’ Ed pointed out. A heavy silence fell over the table and Rick wished he liked his elder brother’s choice of partner a bit better.

‘What about you, son?’ Jago asked Ed, in a not-so-subtle attempt to move the conversation on. ‘Met anyone new lately?’

There was that hint of a blush again, Rick noticed. What was Ed up to, and more importantly, who was he up to it with?

‘Who, me?’ Ed shook his head just a fraction too quickly. ‘Nothing to report, I’m afraid. Rick’s your best bet for that kind of thing. Especially now.’

Their mother perked right up. ‘Oh, have you got something to share with us?’ she asked Rick.

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