Page 27 of Ex in the City

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‘Dylan,’ Archie exclaims excitedly.

‘Hey, dude,’ Dylan greets him. ‘Good day?’

‘It was okay,’ Archie replies.

‘Make any more music?’ Dylan asks him.

‘No, our music teacher has bluemonia,’ Archie replies.

‘Do you mean pneumonia?’ I correct him.

Archie shrugs in indifference.

‘That’s what Bolt’s mum says,’ he informs us.

‘Bolt,’ Dylan says to himself, obviously having never heard of a child with that name before. Honestly, after a few years here, I don’t think there is a single name that could surprise me any more.

‘Yeah, well, Bolt’s mum diagnosed me as “melancholic” when I had a bit of a limp from twisting my ankle,’ I say. ‘So I’d take what she says with a pinch of salt.’

‘Or sugar,’ Dylan adds, referring to the sugar incident at dinner last night.

‘Or sugar,’ I confirm with a smile.

‘Maybe I can give you some music lessons,’ Dylan suggests to Archie.

‘Really?’ Archie squeaks, excitement surging inside him. ‘I want to be a drummer.’

‘Really,’ Dylan replies, then he turns his attention to Ned. ‘What about you, little dude?’

‘Yeah,’ Ned says, agreeable as ever, joining in the excitement.

As we reach the car, I stop suddenly in my tracks.

‘No car seats!’ I exclaim. ‘They have to be in car seats.’

‘Then we’ll walk,’ Dylan says simply.

He takes Ned and lifts him onto his shoulders.

‘Which way, little dude?’ he asks him.

‘That way.’ Ned points confidently.

I smile.

‘Come on then, Archie.’ I offer my hand. ‘I guess we’re walking.’

‘Okay,’ Archie says. ‘Can Dylan come for dinner again?’

‘We’ll see,’ I reply. I’m not sure how into the idea Rowan would be.

‘I really like having him around,’ Archie confides in me.

‘So do I,’ I confess, knowing my revelation won’t go any further.

I do, though. I really do. In fact, I love it.

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