Page 38 of Infinity

I remember him coming to our house with Chris when he was around fifteen with a cut lip and a black eye. He told my parents he’d got into a fight with a bigger lad, Mum cleaned him up and tried to get him to tell her, but we knew his Dad had done it.

He would never admit it with our Dad being a copper. I still don’t know the whole story; Chris does but they were inseparable at that age - still are. I never needed a best friend at school, I had my twin.

“What’s up with you? That’s twice I’ve caught you lost in your own head! Is everything okay?” Todd asks nudging me.

“Yeah, just thinking that’s all.”

“What’s happened with Darcy, is she alright?” a concerned Todd asks.

“Yeah she’s good!”

“Ad man, this is me! I know how you think. I also heard you on the phone last night, I know something’s up.

“Ahh, I just don’t know how to help her. All this business with her Dad is cutting her up inside. She doesn’t think about herself at all, then there’s the garage not doing well it’s just causing more stress.” I tell him agitated.

“Why don’t you take her away or something just for a couple of nights, spoil her. If she needs a break that’s probably the way to go. Think about it, take her somewhere she can relax maybe the seaside or something.”

Todd’s right, if I can persuade her to go that is…

“Oi what are you two girls whispering about over there?”

“Fuck you!” I say giving him the middle finger, joking around.

“Who’s for another pint? I think it’s your turn, Ad,” Chris says pointing at me.

“Fuck off, it’s about time you bought one. Get to the bar, tight-arse!” Chris heads towards the bar as I shake my head at my older brother trying to get another free pint.

I turn back to Ryan, “So Ryan, boy or a girl?” I ask him with a smirk.

“I’d love a boy but a girl will be loved just as much and she’ll be my little princess. God help the boys though, I’d kill the little fuckers if one hurt her.” Ryan says laughing.

“I can’t believe I’m going to be a Dad at all but he or she will have a better life then I had.” Ryan stares at nothing reminiscing on his own life.

“Course he/she will. Him or her will have you and Ash as parents, you’ll be the best.” I say, tapping his shoulder as I stand, “I gotta piss.

DARCY

“Taylor, are we done? I think my feet are gonna fall off.” whines Ash.

“I’m knackered too.” I stand next to Ash, pouting. If we make a stand we can go home. “Seriously, I’m all shopped out!”

“Come then you lightweights.” She sighs dramatically.

“Um, hello. Lady with a baby,” shouts Ash.

“Don’t be so dramatic.” Taylor tells Ash as we pile all our bags into the boot of the car. Ash makes a beeline for the back door and gets in. As I open the door at the front, I see her with her legs across the seat and her feet up. Laughing at her I get in and we make our way home.

We reach The Lions Head, where the boys are. Parking up the car we head inside and see them sitting around a table, talking.

“Look at you old women gossiping.” Taylor says as she sits on Chris’s lap. Adam gets up to greet me, “Hey babe,” he says smiling widely.

“Hi.”

“Here, sit down.” I take Adam’s seat next to Todd as Adam introduces me to Ryan. I watch as he pulls a chair over for Ash and she sits down.

“Pleased to meet you, Darcy. How did you manage to tame him?”

I smile wide, I’ve heard this off them all. “Good to meet you, Ryan.” Smiling, I shake his hand and Todd gets up to go to the bar.

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