Pizzas ordered, I turn on the PS4 for Alfie and load up Sonic, much to his delight. Matt and Sarah are now back in the kitchen, pouring wine. They make a handsome couple. Matt is right, I need to move on from Ange now that our break seems to have become a break-up. It’s only been a couple of weeks since she ‘needed some space’, but my texts have gone unanswered and her Instagram story would suggest that she is really enjoying her second date with Pete fromLove Island.
When dinner arrives, we all crowd around the small kitchen table, fighting over garlic bread and wishing we’d ordered more dips. The only weird aspect of this situation is how normal it all feels. It’s all so easy. It feels like Sarah and Alfie have been a part of our lives for years instead of weeks.
‘Alfie, why don’t you take those cookies into the living room and beat Nick on the PS4 while me and your mum wash up?’
I see Sarah’s eyes darting towards Alfie and then to me, as if she’s waiting for approval. I wink and then grab the cookies.
‘Last one to the couch is a hairy banana!’
Alfie giggles and propels himself from the table, quickly followed by me, while Sarah and Matt start clearing up.
Our open-plan living area makes it easy to see the kitchen from where I’m perched on the couch and, hard as I try, I can’t help glancing every now and again to see what’s transpiring. Alfie isn’t oblivious to them either.
‘They’re going to kiss, aren’t they?’
I nod and shoot at his car, which is way ahead of mine. ‘Probably. Disgusting, right?’
He laughs and fires back while from the corner of my eye, I see Matt leaning in and Sarah rising on to her tiptoes. I turn away and continue letting Alfie kick my ass at Sonic racing.
An hour later, Alfie is yawning his head off while Matt retrieves their coats from his bedroom.
‘Fun night!’ Sarah proclaims. ‘You certainly have a way with Alfie, Nick. Thanks for keeping him entertained.’
‘Don’t mention it,’ I respond. ‘Helps that he’s such an awesome kid. Matt hates the PlayStation; it’s been nice to have someone around to beat me in such a humiliating fashion.’
‘Can I come back and play Sonic again, Mum?’ Alfie asks, sleepily. ‘Pleeaassee??’
Sarah smiles. ‘Sweetheart, I think Nick probably has—’
‘Absolutely nothing better to do,’ I interject. ‘Listen, seriously. You need a sitter again, I’m here.’ I lean in and whisper, ‘It’ll only cost you an Americano. Unless you still think I’m a serial killer?’
‘He heard me, huh?’
‘Yup. And now we have no secrets.’
Matt strolls back in as we laugh. ‘What did I miss?’ he asks, helping Sarah with her coat.
‘Nick offered to babysit Alfie,’ she responds. ‘I might just take him up on that before he changes his mind.’ She smiles at me before crouching down to Alfie’s level. ‘Come and get your coat on, love, our taxi is here.’
‘See you soon,’ I say as Alfie hugs me goodbye. ‘Next time you can teach me Fortnite.’
‘Bye, Alfie,’ Matt says, leaning in to clumsily hug him. He is a sweet guy, but it is awkward as fuck. ‘Thanks for coming.’
‘Thanks for the pizza,’ he replies politely and hugs him back, before pausing for a moment.
‘You smell like Santa.’
‘Do I?’
Sarah laughs and takes him by the hand while Matt and I look puzzled, until it clicks that he’s wearing my aftershave.
‘Babysitting, huh?’ Matt says, closing the door behind Sarah. ‘What on earth were you thinking?’
‘Just helping you out, bro,’ I reply. ‘Taking one for the team. It means you can see her more often if she doesn’t have to worry about childcare.’
He slaps me on the back and laughs. ‘I appreciate the gesture, though I’m not sure what you’ve just let yourself in for.’
By the time I get to bed, I find myself thinking about Matt and Sarah. I’m almost envious. I’m not a jealous person but it makes me miss being in a relationship. I like being with someone, even if that someone just dumped me for dressing like a mythical Christmas character. I reach down and pick up my phone.
