Chapter 14
Arthur barely slept, so when Gretchen started moving around in her bedroom, he got up and made breakfast. Part of the reason for his lack of sleep was his damned leg. He’d debated taking off the prosthesis like he normally did when he slept, but he wasn’t sure how quickly Kurt would act on his threat. He wouldn’t have time to go through the process of putting on his leg if something happened in the middle of the night. The extra weight and discomfort made sleeping difficult.
Then there was the added fact that he was on edge. Every new sound had him alert and ready; cats fighting, leaves brushing against the roof, dogs barking, cars driving past.
What he wouldn’t give for a strong coffee right now, but there were no signs of a coffee machine on Gretchen’s bench. Instead, he filled the kettle and got out the makings for tea.
Jordan needed lunch for school, but he didn’t know what the boy normally took.
Gretchen came out, already dressed in her work uniform of a polo shirt and shorts. He handed her a mug of tea.
She took the mug, her eyes wide. “Thank you.”
“Is something wrong?” He’d made it the same as she’d had it the night before.
She shook her head. “Sorry, I’m not used to having someone in my kitchen.” She smiled. “It’s nice.”
“I would have made you breakfast, but I wasn’t sure what you ate.”
“You don’t need to,” Gretchen said. “It’s enough that you’re staying here.” She pressed a kiss to his cheek.
“I want to. I like to be useful.”
She kissed him on the lips then, long and slow. “Thank you.”
If that was his reward, he’d make dinner as well. “What does Jordan usually do for lunch?”
“He makes his own sandwiches and takes fruit for a snack.” She screwed up her face. “He never eats what I make him.”
Arthur couldn’t imagine not eating something his mother had made him. His father wouldn’t have stood for it.
“He loves porridge for breakfast,” she said. “I throw some dates in for sweetness.”
Arthur smiled. “I can make it.” He took the oats she handed him and started cooking. “What does Jordan do before school?” Gretchen was at the boat by seven thirty.
She grimaced. “I drop him at school and he helps the teachers. They have a school garden, so he does the weeding, or he’ll help collate workbooks and such. He doesn’t like it, but I rely on Holly enough as it is. She’s got three kids to get ready in the morning and she doesn’t need Jordan added to the mix.”
He’d never considered how hard it was for a single parent, especially one who didn’t have a support network around her. But he imagined Jordan would hate being the first one at school. “I can take him to school later,” he said. “What time does he start?”
“You don’t have to.”
“I want to,” he reiterated. “Jordan’s fun to hang out with.”
She sighed. “He starts at eight twenty.”
“Great. I’ll make sure he’s there on time.”
“I’ll tell Miss Simpson he won’t be there early today.” She made the phone call then she went to wake Jordan while Arthur finished cooking breakfast.
The boy came out, his blond hair sticking up in different directions and wearing pyjamas with superheroes on them. “Morning,” he grunted and slouched into a chair at the table.
Not a morning person.
Arthur dished up the porridge and Gretchen poured Jordan an orange juice. As she placed it on the table, she said, “Arthur’s going to walk you to school today, so you don’t need to go in so early.”
Jordan perked up. “Really? Can I watch cartoons this morning?”
“Not until you’re ready to go. That means lunch is made, bag is packed and you’re dressed with teeth and hair brushed and shoes on.”
