Page 16 of Rider Forbidden
“Fine, I’m sorry - it shouldn’t have happened - I’d had a lot of beer and thought it was a good way to shut you up.”
She scowls at me. “Fine. You can go now.”
“I’m gonna sit here and annoy you I think.” I like winding her up.
Just as she’s about to say something, Harry pops his head around the door. “There you are. Come on we need you; we need to go through the results of the findings on the last race.”
I give Robyn a wide grin and wink at her as I walk towards Harry with my coffee. “OK boss, lead the way.”
*****
I check my phone . . . four already - I'm done here, I think.
I’ve sorted through things with Harry, had a little test drive - nothing major - just to see if the tweaks had been fixed. I’ve just gotten off my bike and taking my helmet off when a little boy comes running up to me, he looks around three or four.
“Wow, I like your bike.”
I look around to see who he’s with, but I don't see anyone with him.
I crouch down to talk to him “Who are you with little dude?”
He doesn't take his eyes off my bike. “I'm with my grandad, he picked me up, we've come to see mummy - she works here. She normally picks me up but she’s working later tonight. I’ve just started a new school, do you like my uniform?”
I laugh, he’s cute . . . chatty “Yeah I do, it's cool. I think we need to find your grandad though buddy, it's not safe here, bikes are going in and out all the time.”
He nods but doesn't really listen. “Do you go super-fast?”
I nod “I do . . . I go over a hundred and twenty miles an hour.”
His eyes widen. “Wow.”
“But you only do that on special bikes like this and in special places, like this track here. Come on buddy lets walk around and see if we can get you to your grandad or your mummy.”
I’ve never seen this kid before, I have no idea where to start, just as I'm about to round the corner to go to the main building Greg Brinley sprints around the corner, looking harassed. He looks relieved when he sees the kid. “There you are. Elijah, you mustn't go running off in a place like this, it's dangerous . . . OK?”
The kid looks guilty, he definitely knew he shouldn't do it, I feel bad for the little dude. “He probably saw my bike and couldn't resist. I was just telling him that bikes are coming in and out of here all the time and he needs to be careful. He won't do it again, will you little dude?”
He shakes his head. “I won't, I promise.”
Something dawns on me, is Greg his grandad? Wait, does that mean he’s here to see Robyn? Does Robyn have a kid? This kid? What the fuck? Why has she never said anything? I don't believe it . . . she’s a mother.
“Yes, well . . . thank you, Jack.” Greg says reluctantly. Why he decided to invest in me I’ll never know, he doesn't seem to like me that much.
“Can I sit on your bike?”
I'm just about to answer when Robyn comes rushing around the corner.
“Elijah, did you run off from grandad?”
“I did, I'm sorry, I’ve told this man I won't do it again. He’s going to let me have a go on his bike.”
She raises an eyebrow and looks at me. “Oh, he is, is he?”
Shit, he’s getting me in trouble here. “I . . . I never said that.”
I look down at his face, he looks so hopeful. I crouch down. “I’ll tell you what, if you promise to not run away from a grown-up again while your here or any time you're here, I will let you sit on my bike and wear my helmet. How’s that?”
Robyn looks at me “You don't have to do that.”
