‘It’s not going, your little princess isn’t sleeping at all, and I’m knackered. Is there any chance you could get me a pack of first size nappies, Cain, and drop them off on your way home?’
‘Aw, she’s new to all of this, don’t be too hard on her.’
‘I’m not, I’m just exhausted. I didn’t realise night feeds meant all-night feeding. She thinks she’s at an all-you-can-eat buffet. I’m worried she might pop; she is so greedy.’
Cain snorted. ‘Sounds a bit like me. I’ll come for a couple of hours later and bring you some food. Then you can grab a shower and go to bed for a bit to try and catch up.’
‘Really, you don’t mind? What about Angela?’
‘Really, and she won’t mind at all; she’s always telling me to see if you need a hand. You know Angela would come help you whilst I’m at work. I bet she’d love the chance to fuss over Ava. Should I ask her? Probably not today though because she was meeting an old friend from her work for lunch.’
‘At this point in time I would probably let anyone look after her for a while. I never knew babies were this much hard work.’
‘You’re doing great, Amy; it’s a tough job. See you later. What do you want to eat?’
‘Anything, I’m starving.’
He laughed, and she hung up. Stan opened the door and dropped an assortment of sandwiches, crisps and chocolate bars on the passenger seat.
‘Any good?’
‘Yep, that will do it. Just got to nip in for a couple of bits.’
Cain got out and left Stan shaking his head behind him. He texted Angela to tell her he’d be late home. He knew she wouldn’t be bothered; he was so lucky that she was easy-going. He didn’t think a lot of women would be happy for their partner to spend time with his best friend, helping her with her newborn baby. Grabbing some nappies, wipes, chocolate and a bunch of reduced flowers out of the bargain bucket he paid for them and put them all in the boot of the car.
‘Don’t let me go home without that stuff, will you?’
‘Who are the flowers for, Angela or Amy?’
‘Amy, she sounded a bit down.’
Stan nodded. ‘That’s nice.’
Cain looked at him. ‘What?’
‘Nothing.’
‘Yes, there is. What’s with that tone of voice?’
Stan took a bite of the chicken and stuffing sandwich he’d opened and began to chew it. When he swallowed, he shrugged. ‘It’s a bit weird, that’s all.’
‘How is it weird? What are you talking about?’
‘The fact that you’re buying flowers for Amy and not your girlfriend. Won’t she get jealous?’
Cain rolled his eyes.
‘It was an impulse buy because she sounded so pissed off on the phone. It’s not a declaration of my undying love or anything.’
‘Never said it was, mate, but out of the mouths of babes and all that.’
Cain gripped the steering wheel as tight as he could, his knuckles going white to stop him from clenching them around Stan’s throat instead.
‘There is nothing going on between me and Amy, we’re friends. Her ex-boyfriend and father of her baby shit on her from a great height, then to add insult to injury, went and died before the baby was born. She’s grieving, on her own and doing her best to look after her baby with only me for help. Angela is not a jealous woman; she knows that our friendship is platonic and we’re just good friends. Christ, why am I explaining myself to you? It’s got nothing to do with you.’
Stan held up his hands. ‘Calm down, I was just saying. You’re right, it’s got bugger all to do with me. I just wish I had a partner who was that understanding. My ex would have took out a knife and stabbed me through the eye if she found me doing what you’re doing. So, I’m just saying in a long-winded way how nice it is for you all that you’re so close.’
Cain glared at him.
