Instead of bristling, Stu looks up at his wife adoringly, saying, ‘Maybe you’re right, darling.’
Because, for all of Stu’s faults, Alfie can’t deny how besotted he is with Tash. Which is why he doesn’t let himself react to the line of questioning that he has heard many times before, other than to say, ‘Business is fine, thanks, Stu.’ Which might be a lie, but Stu is the last person Alfie is going to talk to about his problems.
His sister turns back to arranging candles on a purple birthday cake shaped like a unicorn, as a loud squeal erupts upstairs.
‘But I’m just saying,’ says Stu, ‘the offer is still there if youever want to come and work for me at Office World. You’d be selling office supplies not books – but retail is retail, isn’t it?’
Alfie tries not to wince. For him, selling books couldn’t be further from selling staples and printer ink cartridges.
‘Thanks for the offer.’
‘You’d have to buy a suit, though,’ Stu adds, glancing at Alfie’s faded jeans and moth-eaten jumper.
‘Stu, Alfie doesn’t need a job,’ Tash says as she carries plates over to the table, Alfie leaping up to take them from her arms.
She gives him a warm smile. She has his same dark hair, but hers is curly and worn pushed back behind a floral headband. As his eyes meet hers it’s like looking at his dad, and he has to glance away as Tash says, ‘He’s amazing at the job he already has. People love Book Lane. They always have and they always will.’
Alfie forces himself to smile back, grateful for his sister’s confidence in him – even if it is undoubtedly misplaced.
‘Girls! It’s time to do the cake!’ Tash calls.
There’s a shriek and then the sound of thumping footsteps so loud that Alfie half expects to see a pair of trolls appearing in the doorway. Instead his nieces charge into the room, Mia dressed in her birthday outfit of a tutu over combat trousers, and Mabel following in a Pikachu costume. There’s much chattering as they gather at the table, Alfie having to brush something out of his eye as he watches Mia’s eyes widen at the sight of the unicorn cake, her sweet face glowing in the light of the seven candles.
He still remembers meeting her for the first time, back when she was a bright pink bundle who looked a lot like a potato – but a potato he fell instantly in love with, nonetheless.
Tash was glowing and proud, but the moment was tinged with the sorrow of absence.
‘Your dad should be here,’ their mum said, the first to voice what they were all thinking.
‘I know.’
‘He’d be so proud of you, Tash,’ Alfie said, somehow managing to hold the baby with one arm while wrapping his other arm around his sister and letting his mother lean her head heavily against his shoulder.
It was only when he left that he let himself break down.
They all tuck into the cake, and then it’s time for presents. Alfie hands over a flat parcel wrapped in unicorn paper.
Mia lets out a sigh far older than her seven years. ‘Uncle Alfiealwaysgets us books.’
Across the table Stu stifles a laugh. ‘Got to keep the business going somehow, eh?’
As Tash elbows her husband, Alfie reaches for another, larger box.
‘I almost forgot, I’ve got another one here for you too.’
‘Glitter!’ Mia shouts as she unwraps the parcel and pulls out a pair of sparkly trainers. ‘And theylight up! THANK YOU, UNCLE ALFIE!’ She throws herself into his arms and then pulls the shoes on and races off, Mabel following at her heels.
‘Well, I tried,’ he says, looking at the abandoned copy ofThe Adventures of Pippi Longstocking.
‘She’ll love it,’ says Tash, picking up the book with a fond smile. ‘I remember Dad reading it to me when I was little. It was one of my favourites.’
‘I remember that too.’
Later, as Alfie does the washing-up, Tash stands beside him drying, watching Stu chasing the girls around the garden, all of them roaring with laughter. An ache spreads through Alfie’s stomach. Too much cake.
‘I’m sorry he gives you such a hard time,’ says Tash as Alfie passes her one of the ceramic plates that are too delicate to go in the dishwasher. ‘We just worry about you sometimes. Youwork so hard and yet you’re still living in that tiny flat. But I’m really proud of you, Alf. The way you’ve kept the shop going all these years … Dad would be really proud too.’
One of the plates slips out of Alfie’s hands and smashes on the slate floor.
