Page 54 of Rider Forbidden
“OK, then we’ll see you at five.”
*****
I know I shouldn't be excited that Jack is coming over but I am. He makes me feel different. Like I was living my life through some steamed-up glasses and someone has wiped them clear for me, well, Jack did. Even if it's just for a limited time that he’s in my life, he’s made me realise that I'm just surviving like this. I don't want to work for dad. As happy as I am that I ended up at the racetrack, that was just luck. He could have sent me to any of his enterprises. Do I want my controlling dad to be in charge of me for the rest of my life? No, I don't. Teaching is what I’ve always wanted to do - maybe I should do something about it. I have so much money from the trust fund. I’ve already put some away for Eli, more than enough to see him through Uni debt free and set him up afterwards. Maybe I should bite the bullet and dive into it. I mean, if I'm happy then that filters down to Eli. I always wanted to be a teacher. I aced my school exams and A-levels, I was only twelve months off finishing my degree where I could teach. Maybe I could volunteer in Eli's school - get some experience - and go back to college part-time to get the rest of my teaching degree?
I feel a little lighter in my step as I make my way into the house with Elijah, knowing that I'm going to look into it. Take the next step for me and my son.
Nothing special planned for dinner I set about doing the chicken pasta bake that’s one of Eli’s favourites. I hope Jack likes basic simple food, that’s all I do. Eli watches some TV with some snacks once he’s got changed while I prep tea - once in the oven I ask him if he wants to make some apple pie with me. Stupid question - he loves to bake, loves to leave me with a mess to clean up. But I figure that Jack will like some dessert if he comes over. I have some baking apples that I’d planned to bake with anyway, so I chop them and bake them off and get set doing the pastry with Eli. I keep quiet about Jack coming for tea - just in case he doesn't show. I wouldn't want him to get all excited then him be a no show.
We put it in the oven with the pasta bake - I check the time, quarter to five - shit, he'll be here in a little while, I look down at myself, still in my work clothes, covered in flour - I look a mess.
“Eli, I'm just going upstairs to get changed OK I'm full of flour, don't go near the oven sweetie until I come back down.”
“I know mum, I promise.” I can't see him, but I know he’s rolling his eyes - way too much attitude for a four-year-old.
I run into my bedroom, strip off and then jump in the shower. The quickest shower of my life. I wash, rinse, and jump out. I just get dried when I hear a knock at the door.
Bugger - he’s five minutes early - when is Jack ever five minutes early!
“Mummy, there’s someone at the door.” Eli shouts up.
“Coming sweetie.”
I trot downstairs in just my towel - this does not look good - but he’s seen me naked already anyway.
I open the door out of breath. “Jack . . . you're early.”
He looks up from his phone and his eyes widen when he sees me.”
“Yeah and if this is the welcome I get when I'm early I should try it more often.”
I roll my eyes when Eli comes running up behind me. He sees its Jack at the door. “Jack, Jack! Have you come to visit us?”
Jack crouches down. “Hey, little man. I have. Your mummy said I could have dinner with you guys.”
Eli jumps up and down. “Yey, you're staying for dinner! Me and mummy have just made apple pie.”
Jack looks up at me from his crouched down position. “Aw, you been baking me pie?”
I shake my head and smile. “Not me - Eli. The food will be pretty much ready - let me go and get dressed, I just needed a quick shower I was full of flour.”
“No need to get changed on my account.” He winks at me as he stands up - my belly flips.Damn you body for your betrayal.
“I’ll be back. Eli, you'll look after Jack, won't you? Take him in the living room.”
I run through to my bedroom and quickly throw on some black yoga pants and a black vest top, I run a brush through my hair and leave it down - no makeup - I don't want it to look as though I’ve made an effort.
I go back into the living room and my breath catches at the scene. Jack has taken his trainers off and he’s sat on the floor playing with Eli and all his Pokémon figures. He has Eli enthralled, he clearly thinks the sun rises and sets with him. He’s good with him though. He doesn't talk to him like a little kid, he talks to him like his buddy. I like it. It hurts to see them playing together but in a good way. Is that possible? It’s a bittersweet feeling. It would be nice for Elijah to have a permanent man in his life - besides my dad. I know that Jack wouldn't be permanent - but maybe his dad could be . . . we’ll see.
“You want a drink?” I ask Jack
He looks up and smiles “Thanks Danish, yeah please, anything will do.”
“You want a beer?”
He nods “I can have one - why not?”
Thank goodness for that because I'm going to have a gin and I didn't want it to look bad that I was drinking on my own. I need a gin to settle me down. Normally I save having a drink or two until the weekend for a treat - but I’ll make an exception tonight.
