Page 24 of Teacakes & Tangos
‘And two of those cheese and bacon pastries for you.’ I smiled. ‘I could never understand how you didn’t fall asleep at your desk in the afternoon after gorging both of them down at lunchtime.’
He pretended to be offended. ‘Hey, watch what you’re saying. I need the calories. I’m a growing lad, you know.’
‘I do hope not. You’re already six foot two and a half. You don’t want to get any taller.’
‘You remembered the half.’ He looked at me in surprise.
‘Of course I remember. You’d never let us forget that extra half inch.’
‘Well, contrary to popular opinion, size does actually matter.’
‘Does it?’ I glanced at him a little warily.
‘Yes, of course. Absolutely no one wants a small pizza.’
Laughing, I stirred the froth on my coffee then took a sip, enjoying the way we’d just slipped back into the old banter as if we’d seen each other only the day before in the works canteen and it hadn’t been a four-month gap.
‘Toasted teacake with butter, no jam?’ announced café-owner Ellie, arriving at our table with a plate and a smile.
‘Yes, please.’ Xander took the plate, nodding approvingly. ‘Perfect. Just the right amount of crispy, almost-burnt edges.’ He grinned up at Ellie. ‘Thank you.’
She chuckled. ‘You’re obviously a toasted teacake expert, then?’
‘Favourite food of all time.’ He leaned forward eagerly, crossing his arms on the table. ‘Toasted teacakes slathered with butter. No jam required.’
I exchanged a grin with Ellie, and she said, ‘Well, enjoy!’ and went back behind the counter.
I studied Xander as he started buttering a teacake. I was smiling, just watching him. ‘I can’t believe you’ve got me laughing at your mildly funny jokes. I don’t think I’ve laughed at all since Dad had his accident.’
He frowned and did a speedy chew. ‘I’m sorry, what?Mildlyfunny jokes?’
I shook my head in fake exasperation.
Xander reached over and gave my hand a squeeze. ‘Hey, I’m just glad I’ve cheered you up a bit. It can’t be easy... with your dad in hospital...’ His dark eyes were serious now. ‘You know I’m here if you ever need to talk, okay?’
I swallowed on the painful lump in my throat. ‘Thanks, Xander. That means a lot. But please stop it now.’ If he wasn’t careful, he’d be witnessing a tsunami of tears...
He stopped chewing and frowned. ‘Stop what?’
‘Being nice.’ I shrugged. ‘It makes me want to cry.’
‘Noted.’
‘I haven’t actually cried buckets like this since the week Loathsome Les dumped me.’ I indicated my eyes, which were welling up. ‘Those buckets were pretty full for a while.’
‘I can imagine.’
‘Stop it!’
‘What?’
‘Your eyes. Too much sympathy.’
‘Sorry.’
‘It’s okay.’
‘So what shall we talk about, then? Not Loathsome Les, that’s for sure.’
