“Fuck sake, Dad!” Alfie’s voice cut through it all as he emerged from the back office.
Nathan let Freddie go, stepping back with a quick swipe of his mouth. “You…er, finished your homework?”
“Yeah. And when we move to the house, this shit’s gonna stop right?” He gestured a hand between Nathan and Freddie, then glanced up to Jude, noticing him before the others did. “Alright, sir. Did I do something wrong on the trip?”
Jude hovered closer. “Uh…no, Alfie. Perfect behaviour. Came to collect the car.”
Alfie nodded then wandered off back to the office part of the garage.
Nathan tossed the cloth onto the bench “I’ll go grab your keys and the paperwork then she’s yours. Parked her out there forya.” He nodded to the forecourt where his Alfa Romeo pointed towards the exit.
To freedom.
“Thanks.” Jude smiled as Nathan ran off to the back office, leaving him there with Freddie.
“So he was good, was he?” Freddie jerked his chin to where Alfie had retreated.
“Yeah.” Jude tucked his hands into his pockets. “One of the better behaved.”
“Kudos to you, mate. Taking thirty kids on a trip overnight deserves a medal.”
“It’s easy enough when you perfect the teacher voice.”
“Would rather chase after hardened crims than that.”
Jude snorted, though the remark stung.
Freddie waited a beat, then, “Met that new PE teacher the other day. Came in the gym.”
Jude glanced away, trying not to let Freddie see what was behind his gaze. “Yeah. Mr Bailey. Kids seem to like him. Guess it’s easier to like the teacher who helps you score goals rather than the one who makes you read more.”
Freddie chuckled. “S’pose. I certainly did.” He tilted his head to get in Jude’s line of sight. “You like him?”
Jude turned back to Freddie. “Alfie?”
“The PE teacher.”
Jude shrugged. “Seems okay so far.” He glanced over to his car. Desperate to get in it.
Freddie edged closer, as if sensing something. “You…okay?”
Jude blinked. “Hmm?”
“You’ve been quiet lately. We ain’t seen you out. We were at the pub quiz the other night and the teacher lot were there. They said you quit the team.”
“Oh, yeah. I…got a bit going on and…” Jude was cut off as Nathan came back handing him his car keys and an envelope.
“There you go. Paperwork for the part’s in there if you need it. She’ll be alright for a while but, to be honest with you, mate, it might be worth getting rid. Romeos are notorious for being temperamental. Electrical faults, oil leaks, timing belt failures…parts have to be ordered from Europe meaning these long garage stays.”
Jude took the keys. “Yeah. Thanks. I’ll… think about it. How much?”
“On the house, mate.” Nathan stood shoulder to shoulder with Freddie, an easy solidarity in the way they took up space together. “As long as you’re here, you’ll never pay for a car repair again. You got Alfie out, that’s worth more than a fan belt.”
Jude’s throat tightened. He looked at them. Two men who laughed without malice, teased without cruelty, who stood as though they’d always been on the same side. For a fleeting moment, he let himself feel it. How far he’d come in two years. That he had… people, of sorts. People who asked if he was alright. Who fixed his car for free. Who cared, even if they didn’t know the half of it. He thought about telling them. Explaining. Letting it pour out before he lost the nerve.
He thought about asking for help.
But he couldn’t.
