‘About what?’ Nick felt a flutter of worry at the man’s
words, the word worry instantly causing worry. And what should he worry about? School? His mum?
Jack Bairstow took a deep breath and rubbed the
day-old stubble on his chin. ‘I guess what I’m trying to
say is that just because Eric’s family are’ – he scratched
his nose – ‘struggling a bit … because his mum has gone
to Derby and all that, I don’t want you to worry about
Mum and me or our family or what might happen to
you and Jen.’
‘I don’t.’ He didn’t.
‘Good. Good.’ His dad smiled and pulled the duvet
up to Nick’s shoulders before running his calloused palm
over his son’s forehead. It was rare touch and it felt lovely.
‘You need to know your mum and I are solid, we are
mates and that’s what you need to look for in the person
you end up with. Above all else, you need to be mates.
It’s important.’
Nick nodded, wondering how on earth it would be
possible to be mates with a girl, yuck!
‘And as I say, you don’t need to worry. I know Eric
doesn’t have the easiest of times, and I think things must
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be tough for him right now, but he’s lucky to have a good
friend like you.’
Nick pictured his friend in his cold house and missed
him sleeping on the floor. He glanced down at the space
where the bed-in-a-bag had lurked on and off during
the summer.
His dad rose and switched off the overhead light and
gripped the door handle.
‘You’re going to fly this year; I can feel it.’
‘I hope so.’
‘And you’ve had a good summer?’
‘The best, Dad.’
The summer of absolutely brilliant…
‘You got to build your bike.’
‘I did – I went down Cobb Lane at about fifty miles
an hour!’
‘Wow! That must have been scary.’
‘It was a bit.’ Nick shrugged. ‘Good, though!’
‘And you went in a Rolls Royce,’ his dad reminded
him.
‘I did. Have you ever been in a Rolls Royce, Dad?’
His dad gave a soft, mournful laugh. ‘No.’
‘Why don’t you ask Mr Siddley if he’ll take you out?’
‘Hmmm, I’m not sure. People who drive cars like
Rolls Royces and own companies like Siddley’s … they
are cut from a special cloth, not the likes of me.’
This made Nick a little sad. He wanted his dad to be
cut from the special cloth.
‘I’m lucky to have a boy like you, Nicky, lad. I’m
proud of you.’
His words danced like fireflies high above their heads,
pinging against the ceiling and circling the room, filling
the place with warmth and light.
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‘I think if I have a kid I want to be a dad just like you…’
‘To be honest, Nicky, you make it easy. You always
seem to know how to do the right thing, not like some
around here. I was talking to Kath Watson, a girl who’s
just started working in the canteen, and she’s already got
four kids. I’m trying not to judge but she’s saddled for
life – that’s it! Her whole life, mapped out. I want more
for you, son. I want you to aim high, work hard, get
qualified and make sure you have the very best life you
can, ’cos it’s the only one you’ve got.’
‘I will, Dad.’
‘And don’t forget that at the end of the day I’ve got
your back. It’s you and me against the world, the Bairstow
Boys!’
Nick smiled and sank down into the pillow. He liked
being one of the Bairstow Boys.
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‘Don’t worry about picking her up early tomorrow; you
might have a hangover, and I love having this little dog-
gie here!’ His mum kissed Treacle, who lay in her arms
like a baby.
‘Thanks, but I doubt I’ll have a hangover; I’m a bit
too past it for that kind of party. I’m out of practice.’
‘Not what I heard…’ His mum let this trail.
‘Oh, thanks for reminding me!’
‘Things seem a bit more settled, though, love, where
Olly is concerned?’
‘I’d say so. I mean, it still feels like walking on egg-
shells when he and Bev are in the same room, and I
understand, but…’
‘But you need to live your life.’
‘I do, Mum.’
‘He’ll come round.’
‘Hope so. Anyway, tonight it’s only Eric and a hand-
ful of us sharing a few beers and scoffing pie and chips
after the pub. What’s the worst thing that could happen?’
His mum sniffed up her tears as her sadness spilled.
‘I can’t believe that boy is going to the other side of the
world! I am going to miss him.’
Nick nodded and placed his hand on her arm. He
hated to see her cry.
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‘Mind you’ – she sniffed – ‘it’ll save me a fortune. I’ve
been feeding that lad since he was at junior school – he’s
eaten me out of house and home. I’ve never seen an ap-
petite like it, apart from our Jen.’ The two sighed. Eric
and Jen, to them it seemed obvious.
‘See you tomorrow.’
‘Yes, love, see you then.’
His mum closed the door and Nick thought about
how much Eric would be missed. In truth, he had been
so busy working on the business plan, pulling every-
thing together, that his friend’s departure had not been
at the very front of his mind. He had also concentrated
on tonight’s gathering, unable to remember the last time
the house had held a party, choosing not to linger on
the reason why. It was almost unthinkable that his mate
would no longer be within walking distance for the first
time ever. Nick briefly considered calling up Will and
asking if he fancied filling the friendship vacancy created
by Eric. Again.
He walked into the Blue Anchor and recalled the last
time he had done so on pub quiz night, when nerves filled
his gut and grief sat heavy on his shoulders. Tonight he
felt different, lighter and looking forward to the future,
whereas before he could only see a cold, dark loneliness
looming ahead. This newfound optimism was, he knew,
down to two things: Beverly, of course, who had relit
flames of happiness inside him, flames that he thought
were long extinguished, and the fact that as all the pieces
of the jigsaw came together it was looking increasingly
likely that he would, in the near future, sit in the big chair of a company very much like Siddley’s. Only it would
be better, because Nick knew not to spend his days sat
behind a desk, and that to get his hands dirty, doing any
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and every job he expected someone else to do, was the way
to get respect and to fully understand what was going on.
The price had been agreed on the stock and machinery,
and with his house as a guarantee on the loan all they
needed now was to find premises.
‘Mary!’ Eric yelled as Nick walked towards the table,
drawing one or two looks from locals who were amused
by the name. ‘What you having?’ Eric rose.
‘No, my shout.’ Nick worked his way around the
table. ‘Alex?’
‘Pint, please, mate.’
Ellie tutted as if her husband had inadvertently given
the wrong answer. Nick caught Bev’s eye and they smiled
knowingly at each other. Poor Alex…
‘Just a Coke for me.’ Ellie lifted her glass, as if doubt-
ing Nick could get her order right without this example
to follow.
‘Jen?’
‘Erm.’ He noted his sister’s body language, her hands
clasped in her lap, shoulders dropped. She looked like
she was trying to hide. Her voice too was quiet. ‘Glass
of white wine would be lovely, thanks.’
‘I already know what Eric’s having.’ His mate had drunk
cold bottled lager since they were teens. ‘And for you, Bev?’
‘I’m okay, thanks.’ She tapped her full glass of orange
juice.
‘Cheap round! Marvellous!’ Nick clapped as the door
opened and in walked Oliver with Tasha in tow; the table
broke into a cheer.
‘Hey! You made it!’
Nick had not expected him to come all this way, but
to see him again was wonderful. He pulled his son into
an embrace and held him fast.
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‘Good to see you, Olly. Welcome home, lad.’
Eric jumped up from the table and took the boy into
his arms. ‘Welcome home, son.’
‘I just wanted to come and say goodbye and good
luck.’ Oliver sounded so confident, so grown-up, it made
Nick’s heart swell.
‘I’ll miss you all.’ Eric swallowed. ‘But you’re all wel-
come to come and visit any time you like. Just give me a
bit of notice and I’ll get the barbie fired up!’
As the bell rang for last orders, the troupe made
their way along the street to Nick and Oliver’s house.
Beverly slipped her hand through his arm and Nick
immediately looked towards Oliver, noting with relief
that he and Tasha were deep in conversation peppered
with laughter.
‘When you’re the big boss’ – Alex slurred a little – ‘are
you going to get a spanking big navy-blue Roller like the
one old Siddley had? Do you remember that day?’
‘I bloody do!’ Eric shouted. ‘We were lost on the
moors – got chased by a big puma and I nearly starved
to death!’
‘Eric.’ Nick shook his head. ‘We didn’t actually see the
puma and you didn’t nearly starve to death. It must have
been only an hour between your last snack and your tea.’
‘Aye, but I were starving.’
‘You’re always starving,’ Jen joined in.
‘Well, hello, Kettle.’ Beverly laughed. ‘You, Jen, have
the biggest appetite I’ve ever known!’
‘Yes, but she can eat what she likes; she keeps beau-
tiful by running it off every day, chasing after all them
baddies, don’t you, Jen?’ Eric spoke over their heads and
Jen stopped walking.
‘You all right?’ Nick noted she looked a little pale.
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Jen ignored him. ‘Do you really think I’m beautiful,
Eric?’
‘I do.’ He smiled at her. ‘I always have.’
Jen took a step forward and reached up to kiss Eric on
the cheek. He grabbed her around the waist and without
hesitation kissed her full on the mouth. Jen reached up
and knotted her hands in his hair and there they stood,
locked together before breaking apart, breathless and
beaming. There was a moment of awkward silence while
the rest of the group looked from one to the other, no
one quite sure what the situation demanded. Luckily,
Alex, who was more than slightly inebriated, was there
to break the silence.
‘I never thought she was beautiful. I only thought she
was bloody scary! I still do.’
And even Ellie laughed.
‘It’s true!’ Alex yelled. ‘If it were a toss-up between
having to encounter Jen or go alone to the Old Dairy Shed
in the middle o’night, then I’d pick that old shed any day.
We were drawn to that place like moths – we loved it.’
Kerry’s words again came loud and clear to his head
and Nick saw an image so clear, so obvious it left him
feeling a little dizzy.
Everything can prosper with a bit of love…
‘Oh my God! Alex, you beauty, that’s it! You’ve found
the missing piece of the jigsaw!’
‘He has?’ Ellie snorted, back on form.
‘The Old Dairy Shed.’ Nick stared at Eric, who re-
quired no further explanation.
‘Yes! Mate, yes! The Old Dairy Shed!’ Eric shouted,
before releasing Jen and rushing over to lift his friend
clean off the floor in a bear hug.
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* * *
It had hardly been a party, more a gathering in the lounge
with all sitting on those darned cushions. Oliver and
Tasha had long since retired for the night and Alex and
Ellie had left.
Nick managed to extricate himself from Eric’s grip
after returning the protestations of love that came thick
and fast from his mate’s drunken mouth. He tried to close
the front door on Eric, who was walking Jen home; he
waved to his sister, who loitered at the bottom of the path,
calling, ‘Hurry up, you dweeb!’
Nick fastened the bolt. ‘I’d say that was a very good
night.’
‘It was.’ Beverly chewed her lip.
‘Are you okay? I noticed you were a bit quiet.’ Nick
led her into the kitchen and sat her at the table before
filling the kettle. Tea at this time of night was always a
good idea. ‘If you’re worried about Olly, I would say that
tonight was ground-breaking. He seemed happy, relaxed.
I’m certainly happy, relaxed. And Alex’s idea is the best
one! I can’t believe we didn’t think of it before, the Old
Dairy Shed. It’s perfect! On the other side of town, plenty
of space, been sitting empty for years, good access down
Cobb Lane. I used to cycle down it, get up some good
speeds with a tailwind and—’
‘Nick,’ she interrupted, speaking softly. She knitted
her hands on the tabletop. ‘Come and sit down.’
‘Sorry, I’m gabbling, I know, just excited.’ He bunched
his shoulders and grinned at her. His smile, however,
faded when he saw her expression.
‘Nick.’
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The way she said his name while sitting in such close
proximity told him this was a conversation that carried
the weight of formality. It reminded him of the chat he
had had with the doctor
at St Vincent’s.
So how long are we talking?
Days, weeks at most…
Spend time here, Nick, bring Oliver, say goodbye…
Nick swallowed the nerves that gathered in his throat.
He wondered what he had done wrong, figuring that her
upright posture and tone were the scaffolding to enable
her to end whatever this thing was between them. This
‘connection’. A wishy-washy term really, and nowhere
near as robust as boyfriend and girlfriend, partners, a
couple. He minded more than he thought he would. It
wasn’t only the prospect of not seeing her anymore, but
also the shock; he had thought they were going places.
He liked the time he spent with her, looked forward to
their budget nights in around the telly or on the sofa with
a bottle of cheap plonk and a big bag of crisps to share.
He would miss the distraction of her in his mundane
life, miss the chat that nearly always ended in laughter,
and he would miss the sex, a whole new adventure and
one that had been off limits to him for so very long. He
would miss lots of things. This was not how he had seen
this fabulous evening ending.
‘Nick,’ she repeated, and he swallowed, sitting back
against the chair and waiting for the words that he didn’t
want to hear, but he was clearly not in the driving seat.
This was her call.
‘This is not easy for me and so I need you to…’ She
paused, seemingly the words as hard for her to say as they
were for him to hear. ‘I need you to bear with me and
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not rush me and listen and then we can talk and think
about what comes next, okay?’ She licked her lips.
‘Okay.’ He nodded, but in truth he thought it was a lot
simpler than that. She would feed him something along
the lines of, It’s not you; it’s me … You’re not ready … I’m not ready … The timing is wrong … We can still be mates …
It’s been fun … and then he would hold her awkwardly, counting down the embarrassed seconds until he could
usher her from the front door and come back to this very
spot, where he would sink down and feel sorry for himself.
He realised in that second that he would miss her more
than he thought, a lot more.
‘Okay.’ She nodded her agreement and gave a small
smile of relief, seemingly delighted they had the semblance
of a plan. ‘I like you.’
‘I like you too,’ he levelled.
‘It’s been a wonderful time for me, but I still don’t
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