AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Joe sounds like he’s about to protest. ‘I really don’t—’
‘Nonsense, come on!’
Whatever’s going on here, I know I can’t handle being in this school hall for much longer. And if I don’t eat something soon I might pass out. I remember that, according to Lila, we’re invited out for pizza with Joe and Sid. And though the thought of spending any more time with this premium douche weighs heavy on my mind, even a quick dinner with Joe seems preferable to heading home to an empty fridge with a hangry four-year-old.
‘We’re going for pizza, right?’ I remind Joe.
‘Oh sure, we’d love to.’ He beams, making it sound like I’m the one to extend the invite, which for some reason gets my hackles up even more.
Celeste eyes me up and down.
‘What, the four of you?’ She blurts this out before she can get the better of herself.
‘The four of us,’ Joe says. And his initial grin turns into a dazzlingly charming smile. ‘Bye, Celeste,’ he says and he waves his hand in front of us both. ‘Lead the way, Sophie.’
We step out into the biting February air, the kids bouncing up and down at the prospect of being set free. And even though I’ve lumbered myself with a night out with Joe, I feel pleased to be making some progress with the parents for Lila’s sake.
Chapter 5
A strange thing has happened to Joe. From the minute we step off school grounds he seems to visibly relax. Which is surprising, considering how much he clearly loves the attention. His face has softened and a broad, engaging smile comes often and easily. He’s adorable with Sid and he tells some truly terrible dad jokes to the kids. He’s already told three that have made the kids laugh and he’s now going for a fourth.
‘What does a ghost call his true love?’ he calls out as we walk.
Lila and Sid bob along by Joe’s side, giddy in anticipation.
‘His ghoul-friend.’ Joe beams to a cacophony of snorts.
‘Auntie Poppy wants Mummy to be someone’s ghoul-friend. She went on a date last night,’ Lila announces.
‘Lila! We don’t need to share that with the group,’ I say, mortified, as Joe catches my eye. ‘My sister sent me on a blind date. It was awful,’ I add as explanation.
‘Auntie Poppy thinks Mummy should find her great love,’ Lila ploughs on while my toes curl in embarrassment. Just how much has Poppy said to Lila? ‘But Mummy doesn’t want one.’
‘Auntie Poppy just hasn’t realised that my great love is Benedict Cumberbatch,’ I quip.
‘I consider myself quite the Cumberbitch, too,’ Joe replies, and I grin in spite of myself.
‘Please, I spotted him first.’
Joe’s left eyebrow hitches up. ‘Did you now?’
‘Big Sherlock fan.’
‘I actually saw him on stage way before he got into mainstream TV.’
‘Are you calling me mainstream, Joe?’ I ask, my lip curling the tiniest bit. ‘Because we can’t all gad about going to the theatre all the time. Some of us have jobs to do.’
‘It appears I’ve hit a nerve. Shall we agree that we’re both big fans of BC?’ Joe suggests.
‘Fine,’ I huff as he leads the way into an American-style diner I haven’t heard of, where staff deliver food on roller skates.
‘Nice find,’ I concede, ordering a glass of white wine because I’ve reached the why not stage of the evening. Our drinks arrive on wheels and the kids slurp giant juices.
‘It’s cool, isn’t it?’ Joe positively beams and, not for the first time, I wonder what happened to the brooding lothario at the school gates. ‘Sid’s a hungry monster so I’m constantly scouting out new places to eat with him. Places that are lively for kids and serve decent food for the adults are like gold dust.’
‘But Joe,’ I say, suddenly remembering, ‘what about the gluten?’
‘Are you mocking my intolerances, Sophie? Because that is quite rude, actually.’ When he laughs I find myself strangely pleased to have made it happen. ‘To answer your question, they do gluten-free pizzas.’
