Jess and Chloë sat on the edge of the playing fields, watching Luke’s team’s training session.
‘That bruise really is massive. Donna must have whacked you in hockey. Cow.’
Jess looked down at the big bruise on her leg. ‘It looks worse than it is. I seem to bruise easily at the moment.’
‘Get a move on!’ the coach roared at the players.
Luke staggered forward with one of his teammates, a big burly guy, hanging onto his back.
‘OMG, Jess! That guy Luke’s carrying is huge. This isn’t training, it’s torture.’
‘Right, suitcase carries – move it!’ the coach bellowed.
There was a communal groan. Luke made his way over and lifted the handle of the ‘suitcase’ of huge weights.
‘Let’s go!’ the coach shouted.
Luke closed his eyes and forced himself on. Jess felt sorry for him. This was mad. The players all looked as if they were either going to pass out or vomit.
‘I’m so glad I’m not a boy. Imagine having to do this all the time!’ Chloë was incredulous. ‘Can we go now?’
‘In a minute.’ Jess knew that the coach was naming the team today and she wanted to see if Luke was picked. She’d told Mum she’d try to find out after school and that she’d text her as soon as she knew.
After the suitcase exercise half the team fell to the ground. Others bent over and tried to suck air into their lungs, while two threw up.
Luke moved away from those who were vomiting and lay on the grass, close to where Jess and Chloë were sitting. He didn’t notice them as he was too wrapped up in catching his breath.
‘I know Jenson wants to prove himself in his first year as head coach, but he’s going to kill us,’ Lorcan said, lying beside Luke and gasping for air.
‘I know. It’s insane.’
‘Did you hear he’s naming the team today?’
Luke nodded.
‘I reckon you’re safe, man.’
‘I dunno. Harry’s playing well.’
‘You’ve got the pace, though. You’re class in attack.’
The coach came over to them. ‘I’d like a word, Luke,’ he said.
Lorcan left them to it. Jess held her breath.
Mr Jenson put his hand on Luke’s shoulder. ‘I’ve seen how much work you’ve put in over the last few months, and I’m pleased with your progress. I want you to know that I’m starting you on Saturday. Play well and you’ll be number-one choice. But I’ve said it before, you need to be more aggressive in the tackle.’
Luke nodded. ‘Yes, Coach. I’ve been working on that. Thanks for the opportunity. I won’t let you down.’
‘Good, because if you do, Harry will get the place. Don’t mess it up.’
As the coach walked ahead of him, Luke punched the air with his fist. Yeeees!
Jess jumped up and whooped. Luke turned, surprised to see her. ‘What the hell?’
‘I was passing.’ She grinned.
‘Spying on me, more like.’ Luke picked her up and swung her around. ‘Come on. I told Granddad I’d help in the café and I’m late.’
*
Luke told George his good news as he and Jess helped him clean up. George clapped him on the back with a soapy hand. ‘I knew you’d do it. You deserve it after all those hours of training you put in over the summer. Good to see they’ve paid off. If the café’s not too busy, I’ll be out to see you. And I’ll make sure your mum’s free to go.’
Luke smiled. ‘Thanks, Granddad. I sent Dad a text, but I haven’t heard back yet.’
George fell silent. Jess had noticed that every time her dad’s name came up, he said very little.
As they put away the clean crockery, Bobby came in and kicked one of the kitchen chairs.
‘Hey, what’s up?’ Luke asked.
‘Stupid, stinky Tommy said I was a know-it-all in class and that I sound like an incyclopedian when I talk.’
George stifled a laugh.
Luke turned to his brother. ‘Tommy’s an idiot,’ he said.
‘He’s probably just jealous of all of your knowledge, Bobby,’ Jess said, keen to make Bobby feel better.
Bobby perked up. ‘Yeah, he probably is cos he’s not very clever. He actually thought that an okapi was something to do with going to the toilet, like an “okay pee”!’
George and Luke looked at each other and laughed.
‘Imagine that, a boy who doesn’t know what an okapi is.’ George winked at Luke.
‘What a dork.’ Luke grinned.
‘I know.’ Bobby giggled.
‘Remind me again of the details,’ George said. ‘My old mind keeps forgetting things. The okapi is the one with the –’
‘Stripy legs like a zebra but is related to the giraffe,’ Bobby said.
‘Yes, of course. I remember now.’ George patted Bobby’s head.
‘It lives in the Congo and is about four feet nine inches tall. It –’
‘I’d better check inside, but Luke and Jess would love to hear the details about the oki-thing.’ George disappeared into the café.
Bobby watched him go. ‘Luke?’
‘Yes?’
‘Sometimes I think Granddad’s mind is a bit old. He doesn’t seem to want to know a lot of new stuff. He forgets everything I tell him, and sometimes when I tell him things, he says his head hurts from too much information. Do you think your brain shrinks when you get old?’
Luke paused. ‘I think Granddad is just really busy with the café and the wine shop and looking after us. Maybe you should stick to telling me and Jess and Mum about your facts.’
‘Okay.’
Jess decided now was a good time to tell them about the dinner. They were both in a good mood. ‘Did you hear Dad’s coming to take us out for tea?’ she said.
‘What?’ Bobby said.
Luke’s head jerked up. ‘Tonight?’
‘He’s taking us to Arturo’s for a treat.’
‘I’m supposed to be seeing Piper later.’
‘Is stinky Jaden coming?’ Bobby asked.
‘Nope, just us. It’ll be great. We’ll have Dad to ourselves. Come on, guys, we haven’t been out just the four of us in months.’
Their mother came into the room. ‘Did Jess tell you about your dad?’
‘Yes. It would have been nice to get some notice. When did he call?’ Luke asked.
‘Only about two hours ago. He said he had a gap in his schedule and wanted to see you.’
‘I don’t want to go, Mummy.’ Bobby’s face reddened. ‘I don’t like Daddy.’
She crouched down. ‘Hey, now, he’s your dad and he loves you. Don’t say things like that. I know he’s been busy with Jenny and the baby and work, but he really misses you and he wants to see you.’
‘He either feels guilty for being a deadbeat dad or Jenny’s up the duff again,’ Luke said.
‘Luke!’ Kate snapped.
‘Does this dress look nice, Mum?’ Jess interrupted.
‘Gorgeous.’
The doorbell rang. Jess raced out. She flung open the door and Nick bent down and kissed her. ‘Hey, Jessie – wow, you look great! All the boys are going to be chasing you.’
Bobby stood in the doorway, peeping out. Luke grabbed his jacket and, taking Bobby’s hand, led him towards the front door.
‘Evening, you two,’ Nick said cheerfully.
His sons went by him silently, walking straight out to the car. Nick’s face dropped and Jess smiled as widely as she could at him, trying to make things okay.
Kate came to the door. ‘I know they might not seem it, but they’re glad to get time with you.’
Nick looked towards his car, where the boys were sitting side by side on the back seat. ‘They really don’t seem it.’
Kate found herself feeling sorry for him. ‘Honestly, they do want to spend time with you,’ she said. ‘Just give them time to come round.’
‘I’ll help,’ Jess said, slipping her hand into Nick’s. ‘We’ll get them talking about rugby and world records.’
Kate loved her daughter for trying so hard, even though at the same time she was sad that she had to shoulder all the responsibility. ‘Good luck,’ she murmured, as she watched Nick and Jess get into the car. ‘You’ll need it,’ she added, under her breath, as the car pulled away.
Bobby pushed aside his plate. ‘It’s yucky. I’m not eating it.’
Nick’s jaw set. ‘You said you wanted pepperoni pizza.’
‘Well, I don’t like this pepperoni. It’s too spicy.’
‘Here, take some of mine.’ Nick cut a slice and handed it to Bobby.
‘I don’t want your stinky pizza. It has peppers on it.’
Jess watched nervously as her father tried not to lose his temper.
‘You need to eat something, Bobby. How about some plain pasta? Shall I order that?’
Bobby shook his head.
‘Here, he can have some of my Margarita.’ Jess handed Bobby a slice, which he accepted.
‘How’s your chicken, Luke?’ Nick asked.
‘Fine.’
‘How’s school and rugby and all that?’
‘Fine.’
Luke wasn’t going to make it easy for him. Jess knew he was still furious about being stood up on his birthday.
‘He’s been picked for the senior cup team,’ Jess said, trying to smooth things over.
Nick was obviously impressed. ‘Well done! That’s great. You look very fit – I can see you’ve been working out.’
‘Daddy, do you know what an okapi is?’ Bobby asked.
‘What?’
‘An okapi.’
‘Uhm, no –’
His phone rang. Jess saw Jenny’s name come up on the screen. He ignored it.
‘Guess,’ Bobby said.
The phone rang again.
‘I dunno, what?’ Nick put the phone on silent.
‘What do you think it is?’ Bobby persisted.
‘I … uhm …’ The phone flashed. Nick cursed under his breath.
Jess touched her father’s sleeve. ‘Maybe you should answer it, Dad. Maybe Jaden’s sick.’
Nick rubbed his eyes. ‘There’s always some drama with Jenny.’
The phone flashed again. He sighed and answered it.
‘WHAT IS AN OKAPI?’ Bobby shouted.
‘Jesus, I don’t bloody know,’ Nick snapped. Pressing his phone to his ear, he hissed, ‘What is it? I’m with my kids.’
‘I TOLD YOU TO GUESS,’ Bobby roared.
‘Your kids!’ Jess heard Jenny screech down the phone. ‘What about Jaden? He’s your kid too and he’s got a temperature.’
‘Daddy, you have to guess.’ Bobby was not letting it go.
‘I’m here all by myself, Nick, and I’m freaking out because I think he needs to go to hospital.’
Jess could hear Jenny crying. She actually felt a bit sorry for her.
‘He’s fine, Jenny. You always overreact,’ Nick said gruffly.
‘GUESS!’ Bobby bellowed.
Nick glared at him. ‘Jesus Christ, Bobby, will you shut up?’
‘Don’t speak to him like that!’ Luke yelled.
‘Come home now or I’m calling an ambulance,’ Jenny sobbed down the phone.
‘Jenny, will you calm down?’
‘I’m frightened, Nick. Come home.’
His shoulders slumped.
‘Maybe you should just go. She sounds really upset,’ Jess said.
‘I’m on my way.’ Nick shut the phone.
They all looked down at their food. Jess could see Bobby’s hands clenched into little fists. His face was red, and she could see he was trying hard not to cry.
Luke was twisting his napkin around his hands tightly. He wanted to punch the wall, she thought … or probably Dad.
Nick asked for the bill. ‘I’m really sorry, guys, but I have to go. I had hoped I’d get a couple of hours with you without Jenny calling every five seconds, but apparently I was wrong.’
‘What if Jaden’s really sick?’ Jess worried.
Nick ran his hand over his face. ‘I don’t think he is. Jenny overreacts every time he gets a bit hot.’
‘I hope he is sick. I hope he’s really sick and he dies,’ Bobby blurted out.
‘What the hell?’ Nick glared at Bobby.
‘He’s upset! Give him a break,’ Luke said tersely.
‘Look, guys, I really wanted tonight to be good. I wanted to spend some time with you on my own, uninterrupted. I’m sorry. I really am. It’s just … not easy at the moment. I’ll make it up to you, I promise.’ Nick paid the bill.
Jess and Luke held Bobby’s hot hands in theirs. As they walked out, Jess’s leg began to throb.