publisher to see what they say. I’m not going to hold my breath, but at least I’m trying new things. We’ll have our time together, and believe me, I’m looking forward to it more than anything.”
CHAPTER 15
“Really? It’s sold already?” It had only taken just over a week before two couples had put in offers for the flat, setting off a bidding war between them.
“Both couples loved it, so they both offered the full price. You could probably have pushed for even more.” Sally passed him a coffee and sat opposite him at the kitchen table.
“I know, but each of them put up an extra ten thousand and the young couple bid first, so I wanted to play fair.” He stared at the table for a few moments and then looked up at Sally. “Wow! Over a quarter of a million pounds! I can’t believe I’m saying that out loud, and they want to move in quickly.”
“You could put your stuff in storage then look around for somewhere that suits you. It depends on what you want to do now. I know you and Ceri have talked, so have you reached any decisions?”
“We’ve talked a bit about the future. We spent a while walking around the lake and feeding the ducks. You were right, and it was a lovely morning. It felt right being with him; to be honest, it’s always felt right, from the beginning. Neither of us has to stay in Cheltenham, and I don’t think I want to, but I’m not sure where else to go. This town is all I’ve ever known. Other than going to Cardiff with Ceri, and a visit to the seaside when I was small, I’ve never been anywhere else in Britain. I do need to know what Ceri wants to do.” He saw her pull a face. “Yeah, I know it’s my decision, but it’s not that simple, is it? Ceri’s in my life now, and I want him to stay there. I know he really wants to go to university now he’s worked out he’s never going to be a professional skateboarder. I think visiting his sister confirmed that for him, and he’s talked a bit about it. But he’s got to apply and get accepted. His ‘A’ levels are good enough to get in, and I think he’d like to go to Leeds. He misses his sister. We were talking about it last night.”
“And?” Sally asked.
He and Ceri had decided to date and get to know each other more. The added benefit being that it helped him to go out among other people and even eat in public. Mick still found it difficult in a formal setting. Last night, they’d been to the cinema; it had taken a while to decide what to watch, but not so long to decide to enjoy The Hobbit’s adventures from the back row.
Ceri had dropped him off at work in the early evening after the film. They’d even kissed before Ceri had set off again, in front of Ruby and Mary, who’d whistled at him as he went past. Warmth had spread through his insides as he watched Ceri leave.
Sally continued. “So you’re waiting to see if he gets in. You know, having so much money will give you some choices, Mick. D’you think you’re ready to move in together? You’ve only known him a few months, remember. Shit. I said I wasn’t going to do that, but now I sound like your mother.”
“No, believe me, you sound nothing like my mother. For a start, you haven’t used the word faggot or queer, or told me I’ll get AIDS, and anyway, how long does it take to know when it’s right? I knew straightaway with Alfie.” He saw her look. “I know, but it’s different with Ceri, and now I can go anywhere, if my writing takes off, and even if it doesn’t, the company does security all over the place, so I’m sure I could get something.”
“Oh,” Sally said suddenly.
“What is it?” Mick asked.
“Probably nothing, they told me to expect a few twinges. I’ll get us a salad together, all right?” She got up suddenly and cried out, clutching her stomach. Liquid pooled around her feet. “Oh God, my waters have broken. I’m early. First babies are supposed to be late, aren’t they? Aarrghh!”
Mick got up and helped her
CHAPTER 15
“Really? It’s sold already?” It had only taken just over a week before two couples had put in offers for the flat, setting off a bidding war between them.
“Both couples loved it, so they both offered the full price. You could probably have pushed for even more.” Sally passed him a coffee and sat opposite him at the kitchen table.
“I know, but each of them put up an extra ten thousand and the young couple bid first, so I wanted to play fair.” He stared at the table for a few moments and then looked up at Sally. “Wow! Over a quarter of a million pounds! I can’t believe I’m saying that out loud, and they want to move in quickly.”
“You could put your stuff in storage then look around for somewhere that suits you. It depends on what you want to do now. I know you and Ceri have talked, so have you reached any decisions?”
“We’ve talked a bit about the future. We spent a while walking around the lake and feeding the ducks. You were right, and it was a lovely morning. It felt right being with him; to be honest, it’s always felt right, from the beginning. Neither of us has to stay in Cheltenham, and I don’t think I want to, but I’m not sure where else to go. This town is all I’ve ever known. Other than going to Cardiff with Ceri, and a visit to the seaside when I was small, I’ve never been anywhere else in Britain. I do need to know what Ceri wants to do.” He saw her pull a face. “Yeah, I know it’s my decision, but it’s not that simple, is it? Ceri’s in my life now, and I want him to stay there. I know he really wants to go to university now he’s worked out he’s never going to be a professional skateboarder. I think visiting his sister confirmed that for him, and he’s talked a bit about it. But he’s got to apply and get accepted. His ‘A’ levels are good enough to get in, and I think he’d like to go to Leeds. He misses his sister. We were talking about it last night.”
“And?” Sally asked.
He and Ceri had decided to date and get to know each other more. The added benefit being that it helped him to go out among other people and even eat in public. Mick still found it difficult in a formal setting. Last night, they’d been to the cinema; it had taken a while to decide what to watch, but not so long to decide to enjoy The Hobbit’s adventures from the back row.
Ceri had dropped him off at work in the early evening after the film. They’d even kissed before Ceri had set off again, in front of Ruby and Mary, who’d whistled at him as he went past. Warmth had spread through his insides as he watched Ceri leave.
Sally continued. “So you’re waiting to see if he gets in. You know, having so much money will give you some choices, Mick. D’you think you’re ready to move in together? You’ve only known him a few months, remember. Shit. I said I wasn’t going to do that, but now I sound like your mother.”
“No, believe me, you sound nothing like my mother. For a start, you haven’t used the word faggot or queer, or told me I’ll get AIDS, and anyway, how long does it take to know when it’s right? I knew straightaway with Alfie.” He saw her look. “I know, but it’s different with Ceri, and now I can go anywhere, if my writing takes off, and even if it doesn’t, the company does security all over the place, so I’m sure I could get something.”
“Oh,” Sally said suddenly.
“What is it?” Mick asked.
“Probably nothing, they told me to expect a few twinges. I’ll get us a salad together, all right?” She got up suddenly and cried out, clutching her stomach. Liquid pooled around her feet. “Oh God, my waters have broken. I’m early. First babies are supposed to be late, aren’t they? Aarrghh!”
Mick got up and helped her
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