Ashton’s shift seemed to last forever. It was the longest shift he’d worked in his life, each minute feeling more like an hour, and he found himself hurrying through his round as though getting back to the depot earlier meant he could knock off earlier. It didn’t, unfortunately.
He’d not had any post for the farm today and he couldn’t decide whether he was disappointed, before coming down on the side of relief. He had a feeling that seeing Carla whilst he was at work might prove awkward.
But when he thought about their date later, his pulse quickened and there was a flutter in his chest, which was concerning. He was on a hiding to nothing, and he warned himself not to get carried away. Carla was gorgeous and he liked her immensely, but she would be out of his life soon, so he should enjoy this for what it was.
Unfortunately, he didn’t knowwhatit was. A confidence boost maybe? A reassurance that not every woman found him as boring as Lacey did. That he still had it, whateveritwas. Actually, scrap that – he’d never been particularly popular with the girls. Too much of a nerd, he guessed. Not athletic, or edgy.
There was one thing you could say about him – his nan, bless her heart, often told him what a nice boy he was, but he suspected that was because he smuggled bottles of stout into the care home for her. His mum would have a fit if she knew.
He wondered whether he would have time to pay Nan a quick visit this morning, since he’d managed to get ahead withhis round. She lived in Honeymead Care Home on the outskirts of Picklewick, which was on his round, and he tried to call in wherever he could.
Deciding he did, he popped into the off-licence in Picklewick’s high street and bought her a couple of bottles and a multi-pack of spicy Nik Naks. That should see her right for a couple of days.
When he arrived at the care home, he was buzzed inside immediately and handed the stack of post to Rose on the reception desk.
‘How’s my grandmother today?’ he asked.
‘As chirpy as always. She’s in the day room, waiting to have her hair done.’
Perfect. The day room took him past her bedroom, which meant he could smuggle in the bottles of stout and hide them at the back of her wardrobe behind her shoes.
He was in and out in a flash and striding into the day room with no one any the wiser.
His nan spotted him immediately, and her face lit up in a big smile. ‘Ashton, my lovely boy. Come give your nana a kiss.’ When he bent down to kiss her cheek, she hissed in his ear, ‘Did you bring me any stout?’
‘It’s in the usual place.’
‘You’re a good boy.’
‘I haven’t got long,’ he warned, sitting in the chair next to her.
‘I guessed as much.’ She fingered the sleeve of his Royal Mail tee shirt. ‘How are you?’
‘I’m good.’ Her eyes narrowed, and she gave him a beady stare before her expression softened. ‘You look better than the last time I saw you. Not as sad.’ She pulled a face. ‘I never did like Lacey. She didn’t have any taste.’
‘Because she turned me down?’ He gave his grandmother a rueful smile.
‘Partly. And because she thought her poop didn’t smell.’
‘Nan! That’s not nice.’
‘It’s true,’ his grandmother said. ‘She thought she was too good for you.’ A fierce light shone in her eyes. ‘No one is good enough for my grandson.’
‘You’re biased.’
‘I’m right. Now, what’s your news?’
‘I haven’t got any.’
‘Liar. I can see it in your face.’
Thankfully Ashton was saved from further questioning when his nan’s attention was caught by one of the carers gesturing to her.
‘It’s my turn.’ His nan patted her hair. ‘I was thinking of having it coloured pink.’
‘Go for it, Nan.’
‘That’s what I love about you,’ she said, pinching his cheek as he helped her get to her feet and find her walking stick. ‘Nothing ever rattles you. Not even that Lacey business. Right, I’m off for my pampering session. I was only joking about the colour, by the way.’
