Players, Bumps and Cocktail Sausages (Silence #3)(15)

“I’m sure she just needs time, especially if her career is going well.”

I knew I couldn’t be pissed at Abby for that; she deserved to do what she wanted, and I was happy for her, but she had no consideration for the plan we had already made and what I wanted. I hated that she could just change everything on her own without even talking it through with me first. She was all for making decisions together when it suited her.

I nodded. “Yeah. Not much I can do anyway. It’s not even the fact that she’s needs more time – I get that – it’s that she didn’t tell me for ages.”

“I’m sorry,” she said and offered me one of the chocolate biscuits she had in a packet on the desk. I took one and smiled. “You know, it’s really nice to meet a guy that wants to start a family so much, it’s usually the other way around.”

“Well I’ve done the being young and sleeping around thing. Before Everleigh, I wasn’t sure I wanted kids, but she won me over.”

Holly smiled. “She is adorable.”

“She is,” I agreed. “I keep worrying that Abby’s one year will turn to two, then three, and I’ll end up childless with a wife that’s always working. Most of my teachers were old; I know they don’t give it up until they’re Zimmer-frame bound.”

“I don’t think she wants to wait until she’s retired, Jasper. Perhaps promotion opportunities are coming up, and she wants to go for those before she takes a year out to have a baby?”

She did say she wanted to concentrate on her career, so that’s what I took that to mean. When she’s moved up a bit more, she’ll want to have a kid. At least that was what I was telling myself. “Yeah I know. I just hate that we were always on the same page. We made all these plans, and now I feel like she’s going down a completely different road.”

“No,” Holly said, “she’s just taken a detour.”

“You’re a wise one,” I said, patting her head and making her let out a shy laugh. Physical contact with men always made her blush; she even did it when the deliveryman touched her hand as he passed her a pen. It was the reason me and Ben made sure to nudge her or innocently touch her arm whenever we could – it was just funny.

“You’re out tonight, right?” I asked.

Holly nodded. “Oakley’s making me.”

“Cool.”

It’d been ages since we’d all been out together. Mum was having Everleigh overnight so Oakley and Cole could both go, and I was planning on getting my sister drunk. I’d only seen her pissed a few times, but it was hilarious.

“Anyway, I better go see what Oakley’s left me to do today,” I said as I walked into the office behind reception.

I flicked open the daybook and groaned as I saw what Oakley had written:



Jasper, Helen has an appointment so won’t be in until 12, please clean the equipment after the Over 50’s Fit Club – I know how much you love doing that!

Vending machine mechanic’s coming at some point to service it – mention the dodgy C2 button – I won’t be happy if I don’t get my Munchies!



She was hilarious! The thought of cleaning off sweaty dumbbells made my stomach turn. Why did the cleaner, Helen have to make her appointment for today? I bet it was done on purpose. Some women in the Over 50’s Club were like dogs on heat, and they had no issue with the fact that they were old enough to be my mum!

I walked back out. Holly was printing some summer classes flyers for the teenage boy that thinks he’s the dog’s bollocks to hand out tomorrow.

“You done something different with your hair? It suits you,” I said, giving my award-winning smile.

She turned, blushing shyly, and then her eyes narrowed. “No, I’m not cleaning the Over’s room for you.”

“Damn it! Did you read the daybook?”

“No, I just learn. As if I’m going to fall for that again.”

“Think I could pay that kid to clean too? His number written anywhere?” He was handing out hundreds of flyers for cash, so I had no doubt that I could sling him twenty quid and he’d clean. He was desperate to get tinted windows on that tin can he called a car.

Holly grinned, suddenly very amused. She picked up a package from the desk.

“These came today. I was going to put them in the cleaner’s cupboard when you came in. Good thing I waited.”

She handed me a pair of yellow rubber gloves.

“You’re so funny,” I muttered. “If I’m not back in twenty minutes come and find me, you know how they are.”

She laughed, taking too much pleasure at the thought of my impending pain.



“Hello, Jean,” I said, taking a subtle step back. She was the worst. Jean was about a stone overweight, wore clothes about a size too small and had straw-like mousy hair, cut into a bob. She also had a heart of gold. But she really needed to watch where she put her hands.

“Jasper, dear, when are you taking me to dinner? I’ve been waiting two years now.”

I laughed. “Jean, that’s George’s job.”

She waved her hand. “Oh that silly old fool’ll never take me. Don’t like the way other people cook, apparently. Doesn’t help that he smoked like a chimney for near thirty years. His taste buds are shot to bits.”