Page 45 of Infinity

“What truck do you have?”

“Ford Ranger.”

“Ford, a good built motor. Nice to see you’ve stuck to a good old British model, not these bloody foreign motors that you can’t get parts for.”

“Yeah, I like it.

“I miss working on cars, it was my life before this happened.”

“Don’t you go to the garage much then.” He shakes his head but doesn’t speak or offer a reason as to why he doesn’t. Darcy holds my hand maybe for some comfort, I’m not sure.

“You should go. Darcy does a really good job in there, you should be proud of her.

Again, he doesn’t answer just narrows his eyes at me, searching for something but I don’t know what. “I am proud of her. Maybe I will one of these days.”

“I’d love that, Dad. Is Mum at work?” he nods again.

Darcy stands and pulls me with her. I lean against the table as I watch her move around the kitchen taking out potatoes, vegetables and some lamb chops from the fridge.

“I didn’t realise Mum was at work, otherwise I would have made sure I was home earlier. We don’t like leaving him on his own and with her being at work I need to cook the dinner. Mum doesn’t finish until six tonight…”

I listen to her rambling on and on, like she’s justifying what she’s doing and fuck would she have been home earlier. While I’ve been thinking my own thoughts, I realise she’s still talking. Standing to the side of her, I turn her by her shoulders and kiss her hard just to stop her talking.

“Mmm, nice. What was that for?”

“Just because. Stop justifying everything. Do you not ever think of yourself or put yourself first?”

She shrugs. “Sometimes.” She whispers.

“Never then? That’s what you’re really saying.” I kiss her again but softer this time. “I have to go, I have got some work to catch up on. I’ll call you later though.”

“Okay.”

Kissing her forehead, I turn and leave. I get in my truck and start the engine. As the engine rumbles through the truck I vow I’m going to show Darcy what having a life really is.

I know her parents mean well but they depend on her way too much.

DARCY

We’ve eaten our lunch, I’ve washed the dishes and cleaned the kitchen up, I go in the other room to Dad to see if he wants anything.

“Just a cup of tea please, petal.”

As I wait for the kettle I realise what Adam was saying earlier - I don’t do anything for myself and when I do I feel as guilty as hell, but why?

Why should I feel guilty for having a life?

One thing I know more than anything I want to change, I want a life with Adam. He makes me so happy. This weekend has been the best I’ve had in how long - forever maybe.

I take Dad’s cuppa into him and go upstairs. I take my stuff out of the bags and put it away. I take the sexy negligee out of the bag and lift it up in front of me - a wicked thought enters my mind but it will have to wait until later.

I flop on bed and pull up Leah’s number thinking it’s time I filled my best friend in on recent events.

“Hey D. How are you, honey? Not heard from you in a few weeks.”

“Yeah I know I’ve been busy. Sorry.”

“It’s fine. I’m sorry too, I’ve been the same. The shop is heaving, back to back appointments, I don’t have time to breathe.”

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