As I lift Byron out, Alfie gives a little cheer, just as Matt pushes his way past a crowd of amused onlookers.
‘What is going on?’ he asks, watching me hold up Byron. ‘What did I miss?’
‘I’ll explain later,’ Sarah replies as I hand the rat to a very relieved Dean. ‘Jesus, that woman is filming, can we just get out of here? I’m mortified!’
Dean mumbles another apology as we leave, obviously as equally traumatised as Sarah, while Alfie immediately recounts the story to Matt.
‘That was AMAZING!’ Alfie says, skipping alongside his mum as we hastily leave the petting tent.
‘Amazing, huh?’ she replies, brushing down her dress. ‘I’m not so sure, honey.’
Matt laughs. ‘I have to agree. Nick lifted that little rat up like he was lifting Simba inThe Lion King.’
Alfie gives a little jump. ‘BEST BIRTHDAY EVER!’
Sarah smiles in delight and kisses his cheek. ‘Well, that’s all that matters! Shall we go and see the ponies? I think I can just about handle some ponies.’
By 3pm, we’ve visited alpacas, cows, ponies, sheep, had a ride on a tractor train around the farm and fed some particularly cute goats. My trainers look like they’ll have to be binned but, so far, it’s been a very successful day. With the exception of the rat ordeal, Sarah and I have managed to avoid each other for most of it, with Matt and Alfie proving to be ideal buffers.
We head to the café where Sarah has arranged for a birthday cake to be kept behind the counter. We let Alfie play in the kids’ area first, while we all grab some much-needed caffeine.
‘Anyone want any food?’ Matt asks, glancing over at the menu board. ‘I think they have sandwiches.’
Sarah shakes her head. ‘I’m good, just a latte, thanks.’
‘Can I have a Coke, mate?’ I ask. ‘I’m too warm for coffee. I might combust.’
Matt goes to get our drinks, leaving Sarah and I alone for the first time today. You could cut the tension with a knife.
‘So. . .’ I say, trying to break the silence. ‘Those rats, eh? Quick little blighters.’
‘Ugh,’ she replies, ‘I can still feel it on me.’ She shudders. ‘But at least it made Alfie smile. I appreciate you stepping up.’ She glances at me briefly before her eyes shift back towards the table.
‘Don’t mention it. Yeah, I think Alfie’s having a blast,’ I reply, grateful we’re talking, however awkwardly. ‘Can’t believe how much he’s grown since I saw him last. . . and everything else? Work good?’
‘Great,’ she replies, smiling weakly. ‘Really great, couldn’t be better.’
‘Excellent. . .’
She smooths out her skirt as a hush creeps over us again. I don’t think we’ve ever been together and spoken so little. As she peers over my shoulder to check on Alfie, I notice her face is ever so slightly sun-kissed, a faint dusting of freckles sweeping across her nose, and hard as I try, I can’t help but let my gaze linger a little too long. She catches me looking at her and frowns.
‘Nick. . . please don’t.’
‘I’m not. . . I mean, I wasn’t. . .’
‘It’s not fair. We’re past all that now.’
‘Honestly, I didn’t mean. . . look, I just miss you, OK?’
She sighs – it’s clearly not OK – and she rises to her feet. ‘I’m going to help Matt with the drinks and check what’s happening with the cake. Can you keep an eye on Alfie?’
I nod as she walks over to Matt who’s nearing the front of the queue. Turning towards Alfie, I quietly chastise myself for being an idiot. She didn’t need to know that I miss her; I suppose I lost the right to say that sort of thing to her after the party. Fuck, I feel even worse now.
After a few minutes, I see Matt coming back with the drinks while Sarah brings across a huge birthday cake, complete with five candles. She looks stressed. This is meant to be Alfie’s day and I feel like I’m ruining it. I offer to venture into the soft play area and retrieve him, while they light the candles.
‘Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you! Happy birthday, dear Alfie. Happy birthday to you!’
Alfie cannot hide his delight as the entire café joins in to wish him a happy birthday, cheering when he manages to blow out his candles in one fell swoop. Sarah cuts the cake and hands him a piece first before serving the rest of us. My appetite is now at zero, but I take the cake and pick at it while I drink my Coke, reassuring myself that the farm will be closing in an hour and we can all go our separate ways. I’m ready for this to be over.
