‘Wow!’ I reply, ushering them in. ‘Thank you! It’s perfect timing, I’ve just this second run out of giant inflatables.’
Alfie heads straight for the PlayStation as Sarah hands me the wine, yelling at him to take off his shoes.
‘Every time,’ she mumbles under her breath as she removes her coat. ‘I don’t know why he thinks the shoes rule doesn’t apply here.’
‘Probably because Matt doesn’t take his off either,’ I reply, putting the bottle into the fridge. ‘But he’s emotionally younger than Alfie, so he has an excuse.’
Sarah pulls out her usual seat at the table. ‘So,Mr I’ve Just Been Hired,you must be feeling very pleased with yourself! I was saving that champagne for Valentine’s Day, by the way, but this is a far worthier occasion.’
I laugh. ‘I’m more relieved than pleased to be honest. It’s been touch-and-go, but Greta finally came through for me. I mean, it’s temporary to cover maternity leave, but it’s better than nothing.’
Relieved is an understatement. When Greta called this morning to say I’d be offered the position at Portman Brown LLP, I’d shoutedfuckover and over for about a solid five minutes and punched the air repeatedly.
‘However,’ I continue, ‘I’d like to state for the record that I don’t regret the eight months of humiliating rejection it took me to get here.’
She grins. ‘It’s character-building, right?’
‘Something like that.’
I bring Alfie some apple juice as Matt arrives home, carrying a bag full of ingredients which will soon be used to create my celebratory meal. He says hi to Alfie before kissing Sarah hello.
‘Glad you could make it,’ he says, placing the bag on the kitchen worktop. ‘Bit of wine and risotto to celebrate our boy’s good news!’
‘Yep,’ she replies. ‘You’ll be happy to finally have him back in that posh-boy, wanky lawyers club, I’m sure, sweetheart. You can all get together and talk about cricket and totty again.’
She sticks her tongue out at me as I fake a gasp of offence.
‘Only place he belongs,’ Matt replies, laughing. ‘He’s much happier when he has private health insurance and a superiority complex.’
‘You both see me standing here, right?’ I ask while they continue talking about me.
Sarah moves from the table and stands beside Matt to help chop the onions. ‘Actually, I could see Nick doing something far more noble. Humanitarian work, saving old ladies from burning buildings, performing risky surgeries to remove brain tumours or. . . a teacher, perhaps? He’s so good with Alfie, I could totally see him shaping young minds.’
Matt turns to look at me. ‘Weirdly, I see where you’re coming from, Sarah,’ he remarks, squinting at me. ‘Fancy swapping boardrooms for classrooms, buddy?’
‘I appreciate the career advice, but I’ll pass,’ I reply. ‘I have zero interest in anyone else’s kids. Alfie is the exception.’
Matt’s chicken risotto is a big hit, and everyone properly toasts my new position – even Alfie, who holds his tumbler high. Eventually he gets bored of the adult chat and Sarah lets him take his dessert to the living room to watch a movie, making him promise not to spill. I whisper that he’s only allowed to spill over the stains I’ve already made, and he chuckles before vanishing with a bowl full of warm apple pie and ice cream.
‘I’m too full for apple pie,’ Sarah insists as she starts to clear away the dinner plates. ‘Shall I make some coffee?’
Matt takes the plates from her and frowns. ‘You clear tables and make coffee all day. Besides, you’re the guest here.’
‘True, but you make coffee at my house.’
‘I know. You’re a terrible host.’
As they playfully bicker over beverage duties, I slip off to the living room and check on Alfie, who has wolfed down his dessert, his eyes glued to the movie channel.
‘What’re you watching, bud?’
‘Aladdin,’ he replies. ‘It’s my favourite!’
‘Nice! I’m just going to sort a few things—’
‘I have it on DVD. My mum knows the songs, but she doesn’t have time to watch it with me that much. Will you watch it with me?’
Ugh, the emotional pull is strong with this one. How can I say no? Even though I have a million things to do, I tell Alfie to scooch up, and join him on the couch. He snuggles in and begins telling me the plot, while I nod along, pretending this is new information.
