by Beth Abbott
“That’s great.” Robbie smiled. “I was looking to spend about thirty, so that works well.”
“Young man… I said two hundred pounds.” The manager repeated impatiently.
“I know.” Robbie nodded. “And I said thirty. Thousand. Pounds. So, shall we start with the games consoles? Do you have a pen and paper? I have a list of most of the stuff I want, but you’re going to need to write some of this down.”
It took the manager a minute to recover himself, but he didn’t take long to catch on, and soon Robbie was barking out a list of toys, making it sound like he’d been doing it all his life.
When he’d finally run out of things to order, Robbie and Evan followed the man back to a cash register where they started to ring up the purchases, checking stock levels as they went.
“Ok, altogether that will be…” The manager nervously glanced at the cashier who nodded her head. “Thirty-four thousand, one hundred and sixteen pounds and forty-seven pence.”
“Excellent.” Robbie beamed, pulling his wallet out. He slid out his credit card and what looked like a loyalty card. “I think I’ve got enough points on there for a discount.”
The manager took the loyalty card from him as though it was going to explode, handing it to the cashier who swiped it through the machine.
“You qualify for the ten percent discount.” The man confirmed. “And your points from this year will get you twelve percent off next year. That’s our highest discount.”
“Fantastic.” Robbie beamed at Evan. “See, it always pays to be loyal to the same retailer.”
“That will be thirty thousand, seven hundred and four pounds and eighty-two pence.” The manager held out his hand for the credit card.
Robbie watched the man ring in the amount.
“And I’d like to take advantage of your free gift-wrapping service.” Robbie smiled as he entered his PIN into the card-reader. “I want all the gifts labelled with the corresponding number on the list, so I know what’s inside and can give them to the right kids.”
The manager glanced at the list Robbie handed him and then at the cashier who shrugged back at him.
“Where and when would you like everything delivered?” The manager asked, obviously praying Robbie wasn’t going to ask for same day delivery.
“I’d like them delivered here, tomorrow at twelve-thirty on the dot.” Robbie handed the man another piece of paper with an address on it. “I’ll be waiting outside with a few of my friends, and we’ll help your driver unload the van.”
The manager nodded, still looking at the address.
Robbie removed his credit card from the card reader.
“Oh, and just so we’re clear… I wasn’t here, you didn’t see me, and this transaction never happened.” Robbie smiled. “I really hope we are clear, because I’d hate to have to send everything back and get a refund, just because someone in your store spoiled the surprise. Like I said, I choose to be a loyal customer of yours. Let’s keep it that way, hmm?”
The manager and cashier both nodded their heads vigorously, as Robbie turned away and headed through the door.
“I give it thirty seconds before one of them is on their phone, Googling my name.” Robbie turned and grinned at Evan as they climbed into the car.
Evan glanced up to see both of the shop employees already with their phones out.
“Less than twenty seconds.” Evan chuckled, starting the car. “So, tell me… where are you having all those toys delivered?”
“The children’s hospital where my sister works.” Robbie grinned.
“Your sister works in a hospital?” Evan snorted. “Somehow I can’t see Cerys in the role of Florence Nightingale.”
“Fuck me, that’s the funniest thing I’ve heard all year!” Robbie burst out laughing. “Not Cerys, you idiot! My other sister, the oldest one. She’s been working up in Birmingham for about eight years. That’s why I chose a Midlands club, to be closer to her, rather than the London clubs that wanted me. We’re really tight, even though we never lived together growing up.”
“I didn’t realise you had two sisters.” Evan frowned. “Maybe I should’ve known?”
“Not really. We don’t broadcast it because she likes to live a quiet life.” Robbie smiled. “She’s quite reclusive these days. Like a cat lady who’s allergic to cats.”
Evan glanced sideways and frowned.
“You mean she lives on her own?” He guessed.
“Yep.” Robbie nodded. “Not even Cerys the Sponger has her address. That’s the way she likes it.”
“Cerys the Sponger?” Evan smiled. “You know, that really does fit her. So, if you know Cerys is sponging off you, why do you let her get away with it? Having watched your performance in the toy-shop, you’re no pushover, and definitely no fool.”
“How much do you know about my family?” Robbie turned to face him, leaving Evan at a disadvantage as he still needed to keep his eyes on the road.
“I know a little bit.” Evan admitted. “Your family is a bit mixed up.”
Robbie snorted a genuine laugh.
“That’s the understatement of the year.” He rolled his eyes. “My mum was married twice before she met and married my dad. She had my oldest sister with her first husband, and Cerys with her second husband. She walked away from both marriages leaving the kids behind.”
Nice woman, Evan thought to himself.
“She had me and my little brother with my dad when we still lived in Splott.” Robbie continued. “My brother developed meningitis when he was just two-years-old. He didn’t survive. Neither did marriage number three. She walked out on my dad after the funeral, and we never saw her again. I think I heard someone say that she died about nine or ten years ago, but I’ve never been told directly, so I’m not sure if that’s true or not. I don’t really care that much either.”
Evan stared out of the front windscreen.
“So, how did you end up living in Lisvane, and how did Cerys come to be living with your family?” Evan frowned. “You don’t share the same dad.”
“My dad was working as a manager for a haulage company when my mum walked out.” Robbie shrugged. “He ended up marrying the widow who owned the company. She’s a few years older than him, but not that much. Joan took me in without hesitation, and she’s been like a proper mum to me. When Cerys’ dad died of a drug overdose about twelve years ago, my mum was nowhere to be found, so social services contacted my dad because they were aware that we were half-siblings. He and Joan agreed to take her in. She’s been something of a drain on them, shall we say, but they’ve stuck by her.”
“And now she’s a drain on you.” Evan grinned at Robbie, trying to lighten the mood.
“Yeah, to the tune of five grand a month.” He laughed. “That’s her pocket money, and I refuse to give her any more than that. It’s not like she does fuck all to earn it, anyway. She doesn’t even wash a dish in my house, and the whereabouts of my Dyson are a mystery. I think it’s buried under a pile of clothes in her bedroom, where I left it in the hope that she’d actually use it on the carpet one day. She thought it was a coat-rack, I think.”
Evan couldn’t help but grin to himself.
He’d thought Robbie Jones such a quiet, shy young kid, but the guy was mature beyond his years, and hell, he was funny! Who knew?
“Have you got anything on this afternoon?” He turned to Robbie with a grin.
“Nothing, if you don’t include avoiding Cerys.” Robbie shrugged. “What did you have in mind?”
“There’s a snooker hall not far from where I live, and it’s usually dead quiet in the afternoons.” Evan smiled. “The guy who runs it is an old army buddy, so he’ll make sure we’re not disturbed. Fancy a few games?”
“As long as we’re not playing for big money, you’re on.” Robbie grinned.
“No worries.” Evan shrugged. “How about we play best of five, and the loser buys dinner, curry or Chinese, maximum outlay twenty-five quid?”
; “Sounds good.” Robbie nodded. “I hope you’ve got your wallet on you, old man. I’m about to wipe the floor with you.”
“Yeah, right!” Evan grinned. “Bring it kiddo! Mine’s a Madras with extra coriander.”
Chapter 6 – Matt
Matt sat at the kitchen counter sipping his coffee, waiting for Suzy to get back from the school run.
He typed out a message to Lacey letting her know that he wouldn’t need a lift to pick up his car, and that he’d see her at the office later, switching off his phone before she could reply.
None of this was Lacey’s fault, but the last thing he wanted was her turning up at the house before he’d sorted everything out with Suzy.
Matt rolled his aching shoulders, already regretting spending the night on the sofa in his home office. He’d broken his own rule about sleeping in their marital bed, so he probably deserved the pain he was in.
He watched out of the kitchen window as Suzy pulled into the driveway and parked the car.
She was still every bit as gorgeous as the day he’d met her, and hardly seemed to have aged a day. Ok, having three kids had made them both grow up a lot, and they weren’t as carefree as they’d once been, but that was life, right? He could hardly blame her for that.
Suzy opened the back door of her Mercedes and lifted Rory out of his car-seat. She smiled so brightly at their son, making him giggle, that Matt’s heart literally contracted in his chest.
She was a wonderful mum to their kids, and he was lucky to have her as his wife, so how the fuck had he let them get in this mess?
He had to try and make this right.
Only he had to make it right without having to sack Lacey. She was too good at her job to let go, so he needed to find some way to convince Suzy that Lacey wasn’t a threat to their relationship.
He didn’t see Lacey that way. Hell, she was only in her twenties, more than fifteen years younger than him.
He watched Suzy walk towards the house.
It suddenly occurred to him that Lacey was also almost fifteen years younger than Suzy, so maybe that’s where Suzy’s insecurity came from? Was she afraid he was going to dump her for a younger model?
That was never gonna happen, so he guessed it was up to him to convince his wife of that, or they were gonna have serious problems.
He waited patiently for Suzy to come back into the house, and when he heard her chatting to Rory as she walked into the kitchen, he smiled. She was obviously unaware that he was there, since she was talking to Rory about him.
“When daddy gets home tonight, we’re gonna kick his ass.” She was telling Rory in a sing-song voice. “Taylor and Charlie can hold him down, and you and I are gonna rub one of your shitty nappies all over him. What do you think about that?”
He could hear Rory giggling, obviously not having a clue what his mummy was saying but loving the way she was saying it.
As she walked into the kitchen, Suzy spotted him for the first time, and stopped in the doorway.
“If I get a say in it, can I vote against the shitty nappies?” Matt smiled at her. “I don’t mind you kicking my ass, but I draw the line at what this little fella produces. It’s disgusting!”
He stood up and walked towards her, taking Rory from her arms and giving his son a cuddle.
Suzy looked like a deer caught in the headlights, not sure if she wanted to stay or run a mile.
“I thought Lacey was picking you up to go and get your car.” She mumbled. “I expected you to be gone ages ago.”
Matt secured Rory in his high-chair before he turned back to her.
“I thought it would be a good idea if we talked about last night before I go anywhere.” He shrugged. “Without Charlie and Taylor around at least.”
Suzy narrowed her eyes, watching him for a sign of how this was going to go.
“I think it’s probably best if we get Rory his breakfast before we start, or he’ll be screaming the place down in two minutes.” She shrugged.
They worked in silence, Suzy preparing Rory’s breakfast, and Matt making some fresh coffee.
When the toddler was finally happy munching on his fruit and playing with his porridge, Matt sat at the kitchen table.
“Maybe you should start.” Suzy sat opposite him and picked up her cup. “I said enough last night for you to know where I stand.”
“Cards on the table?” Matt suggested.
He was surprised when he saw the colour drain from Suzy’s face.
What was she expecting? That he was going to leave her?
“Cards on the table.” She whispered, her eyes looking almost haunted.
Matt leaned across the table and took both of her hands in his much larger ones.
“The most important thing you need to know is that I love you, Suze.” Matt squeezed her hands. “I love you more today than I did yesterday, and I’ll love you more tomorrow than I love you today. Which is how it’s been since the day I married you, and I thought I loved you with my whole heart fifteen years ago. You’re my rock, and I’m never gonna let you go. You’re my world, Suzy, and nobody is gonna get in the way of that. Nobody.”
Suzy’s eyes widened at his admission.
“I know you’re pissed at me, Suze, and I know I’ve been letting you down lately, but I’m doing the best I can. The business is taking up so much of my time, that I’m spun around not knowing which way is up sometimes.” Matt shrugged. “I can see how it must seem like I’m prioritising work over family, but I can’t split myself and be in two places at the same time. We’ve just got the new football club contract, and I can’t let the Alpha family down by fucking it up.”
Suzy stared at him for a moment, looking like she didn’t know which part of his statement to pick apart first.
“I love you too, Matt, with every fibre of my being. You’re the only man I’ve ever loved, and I’d die before I let anything happen to you.” Suzy whispered. “But our kids are the beating of my heart. They’re my reason for breathing. So, while I can suffer you hurting me, I won’t stand by and let you hurt them. Rory is too young to know you missed his party yesterday, but Taylor and Charlie aren’t. And to them, if you didn’t care enough to show up for Rory, and you didn’t turn up for Taylor’s school nativity, then you can’t care that much about any of them. You called Charlie a mummy’s boy, but you were so wrong. He is so much like you it’s scary. He has your sense of family, your sense of justice, and a protective streak a mile wide. He’s just like you, or at least, how you used to be.”
Suzy sat back, pulling her hands from Matt’s.
“He sees you hurting us and it’s killing him.” Suzy sniffed. “He’s trying to be the man he remembers you being, standing up to you. He’s fifteen, Matt. He’s not acting out or being a mummy’s boy. He’s trying to parent you.”
Matt sat quietly, his heart racing.
Had he really been that neglectful lately, or was this just Suzy being overly dramatic.
Suzy turned and pulled a couple of squares of kitchen roll off, using them to blow her nose.
When she turned back to him, her eyes were red and tear-filled.
“Cards on the table?” She whispered, and his heart sank.
“Cards on the table.” He nodded.
“I think all this business with the football club contracts, and having a young PA running around fawning all over you… well, I think this is all about your ego.” Suzy sniffed, watching him warily to gauge his reaction. “You’ve done such a great job building up the Birmingham office, that you’re not prepared to admit that you’ve taken on too much work. JT, Luke and the guys are always singing your praises, talking about how well you’ve done up here, virtually single-handed. You don’t want to tell them you’re barely coping. So, just to keep up the pretence, you’re prepared to sacrifice your family to be seen to be successful.”
Matt opened his mouth to defend himself, but Suzy obviously wasn’t finished.
“I know you think I’m simply jealous of Lacey.” Su
zy sniffed again. “She’s young and pretty, and you’re obviously impressed with her. But that’s not it. She’s doing my job, Matt! I loved working with you and being part of Alpha Company, and you just pushed me out without even asking me what I wanted. And then you wonder why I get sick of hearing you come home spouting about ‘Lacey did this’, and ‘Lacey did that’, and ‘Lacey’s so great!’ Well, I don’t think she’s great when she’s wiping us from your calendar and blocking me when I’m trying to get hold of you! If you ask me, Lacey has got her eye on one position in that company, and that’s being your wife.”
Matt stared at Suzy, wondering where the hell she was getting all this shit about Lacey from. He hardly ever mentioned the woman!
“Let’s leave Lacey out of this conversation, shall we?” He tried to keep his voice quiet so as not to upset Rory. “It doesn’t matter what you think about Lacey. She’s doing a good job and I have no reason to change that. I also have no interest in her, so whatever you think she’s plotting, she’s not going to succeed. Understood?”
Suzy narrowed her eyes, and he knew she wasn’t happy with him brushing her complaints to one side. But he wasn’t lying. Lacey was good at her job, and right now was not the time to have to think about finding a replacement.
“As to you working, if that’s what you want to do, then that’s fine with me.” He nodded. “I didn’t realise working away from the kids meant so much to you, but now I know it does, I’m sure we can find a suitable role for you.”
“But not my old job.” Suzy stated simply.
“No, I don’t think that would work, do you?” Matt frowned. “Apart from the fact that Lacey is doing a great job, the business has moved on since you were last there. You wouldn’t be able to just walk back in and take up where you left off.”
“Why? Because I’m too stupid to learn what changes have taken place?” Suzy fumed. “Thanks for your vote of confidence in me.”
“I didn’t say that.” Matt scowled at her. “But Lacey does more of the contract stuff than you used to. She’s got a business law degree which has come in very handy.”