‘Bearing in mind it wasn’t happening until about five seconds ago, err, no, I’ve not had too many ideas yet.’
‘Not to worry. We can just call it Charlie Richmond Photography for now.’
He nodded and made a gesture with his hands, acquiescing. Despite our relatively short acquaintance, it hadn’t taken Charlie long to get the idea that once I thought of something I was kind of off and running.
‘OK.’
I started typing. As I finished the second word, my phone rang and a picture of my brother in ‘mad surgeon mode’ complete with mask, scrubs and scalpel appeared on my screen. We all thought this picture was hilariously funny but then I wasn’t a patient of his, and I could see how ‘deeply terrifying’ could also be an accurate description, depending on your perspective.
‘Hi, Matt.’
‘Hi, Libs. Are you busy? I need a huge favour.’
‘Err, sort of, but ask me anyway.’
‘Is there any chance of you taking the boys for a few hours? Maria’s at work and the hospital just called and asked if I could come in. Bit of a crisis.’
I didn’t need time to think.
‘Of course. I can come and get them to save you time dropping them off, if that helps.’
‘You’re a lifesaver, Libs. Quite possibly, literally.’
‘Yeah, right. I think we both know who has the genius for that in this family. Now get off the phone and get them ready and I’ll be there shortly.’
‘You sure? You said you were busy.’
‘It’s fine. I can carry on with it when they’re here.’
‘Great. Thanks, sis. See you in a bit.’
I ended the call and turned to Charlie. ‘My brother’s been called in to the hospital. I need to go and pick up my nephews for a few hours. But I can work on this later and give you a call.’
Charlie nodded, and shrugged. ‘Or I could come with you.’
‘Oh! Of course! I didn’t mean to exclude you; I just didn’t think you’d want to get roped into babysitting.’
‘It’s fine. I don’t really have anything much planned. Especially now the weather looks on the turn.’
We both glanced out of the balcony door to see storm clouds building on the horizon. To the east, swathes of dark, ominous streaks reached down from them, linking the sea to the sky.
I smiled.
‘Great. We kind of need to go now, though.’
‘Ready when you are.’
I grabbed my keys, and we hustled out of the door, down towards the car park.
‘I’ll drive,’ Charlie said.
‘Are you sure?’
‘Absolutely.’
And then I remembered.
‘No. No way. Absolutely not.’
