‘No problem, the offer is there if you need it. I’ll let you get back to work; I should probably head home anyway. Thanks for the cake!’
‘Pleasure,’ she replies, with a smile. ‘Have a good night, Nick.’
I wish her the same and begin my walk home, hoping that she doesn’t see me as some creepy bastard whose main purpose in life is to hang around kids. Sarah has every right to decide who looks after her son, butJesus, lady, I’m trying to fulfil your child’s Christmas wish here. Give me a chance!
Chapter Ten
‘Coffee and tea in the cupboard above the cooker. Help yourself to whatever you can find.’
‘No problem,’ I answer, while I finish setting up my PS4. ‘Just go and have fun. Everything’s under control here.’
Sarah asks Alfie to run and get his slippers from his room, while Matt hovers around with his hands in his pockets. I can tell he’s both excited and still a little nervous. The only time Matt ever gets nervous is when he’s invested in something going well.
‘Bedtime is eight at the latest and he needs supervision with his teeth, or he’ll just wet the toothbrush and pretend he’s done them,’ she says, pulling on her coat. She’s wearing a black dress with cut-out bits on the shoulders. I have no idea what you’d call it, other than hot. I’m almost relieved she’s put her coat on.
‘Matt does the same, don’t worry.’
‘And my neighbour Mrs Grainger is in the flat above. Number seventy-six. She’s old, but sharp as a tack, so if you run into any emergencies. . .’
‘Gotcha.’
She smiles before looking up the hall to make sure Alfie is out of earshot.
‘If he’s not happy for whatever reason, call me and I’ll come right home. Doesn’t matter what it is. I mean, he should be fine, but—’
Alfie runs back in wearing his Spiderman slippers and bounces on to the couch.
‘Don’t worry,’ I reply, softly. ‘I’ll take good care of him. I promise.’
‘OK. Great,’ she replies, exhaling. ‘I really am grateful you’re doing this. Give Mum a kiss, Alfie, and be good for Nick!’
‘I will, Mum,’ he assures her. ‘We’re going to play Just Dance! Nick downloaded it for me!’
She kisses him on the head and with one last hesitant glance around the flat, she leaves for dinner with Matt.
‘You ready to show me your best dance moves?’ I ask.
‘Ready, steady, goooooo!’ he replies, leaping off the couch. I press play and the first dance battle begins.
By 8pm I’m fucking exhausted, and Alfie has been crowned Dance Champion of the Entire World. His words, not mine. I sit on the side of the bath and watch him brush his teeth while he stands on a little stool so he can see the mirror. Sarah’s bathroom is colourful and cosy, with baby blue walls and boat-shaped bath stencils. It’s far more fun than our bathroom at home. You can tell she’s decorated her house with Alfie in mind and it makes me smile. I also noticed a picture in the living room of her and her husband, holding baby Alfie. She looked unbelievably happy. I can see why Alfie would want that back.
‘Time for bed, mate,’ I say, as he dries his mouth.
‘Do I have to?’
I nod. ‘I’m afraid so. Besides, you wouldn’t want your mum to get angry at me, would you? She’ll never let me babysit you again! And I need a chance to steal back the dance trophy from you.’
He chuckles. ‘OK. . . but can I have a story?’
‘You bet,’ I reply. ‘That’s the most important part of bedtime.’
I follow Alfie to his room, which is exactly how I imagined it. Compact and comfortable, with matching Marvel curtains and bedspread. Scattered around are various Pokémon cards, toys and a giant stuffed dog perched at the end of his bed.
‘Wow, who is this?’ I ask, picking it up. ‘I’ve never seen such a big dog.’
‘Max,’ he replies, climbing into bed. ‘Mum says that one day we can get a real dog, but we’re not allowed pets here.’
‘Sounds like a plan,’ I reply. ‘So. . . which book are we reading tonight?’
