My two beautiful boys, on the verge of becoming gangly teens, wandered in. I was sure I got a whiff of cologne. That was a new thing.
“Did okay,” Nathan said and handed me a Toblerone. My favorite chocolate bar. “Got ninety percent.”
“Thanks, and that’s great, buddy,” I said. “Better than I would have done. Maths was never my strong point, but your mum is really good at it.” I glanced at the door. “You must get it from her.”
Sarah had gone.
“And Henry, did you get any goals at that match on Wednesday?”
“Two.” He beamed. “Man of the match.”
“I am so proud of you.” I gave him a high five and hid a wince when he put muscle behind the whack.
“I’ll leave you to it,” Amy said, turning. She blew out a breath and smiled. “Anyone need anything from the canteen?”
“Hello again, Amy,” Harry said and sat.
“Harry. Well done on the goals.”
“Thanks.”
“And you on the maths test, Nathan.”
He shrugged. “What job do you do?”
“Oh I…I work in marketing.”
“What’s that?” Harry tipped his head and studied her.
“I do sports marketing, so when there is a big match, or a big game, I help organize the posters and the t-shirts and the scarves, that kind of thing.”
“Like when the rugby is on and we get an England scarf at each match, and it shows who they are playing?” Nathan’s eyes widened. “Like that?”
“Yes.” Amy smiled. “Exactly like that.”
“England are playing Ireland in the first match of the Six Nations, Dad,” Nathan said.
“Maybe we’ll go.” I smiled.
“If you’re better.” Harry frowned.
“I will be by then, no problem.”
“And I’ll see if I can get you a scarf each,” Amy said. “Pre-match, so you can wear it on the way to the stadium.”
“Oh, that would be cool.” Harry grinned. “Thanks.”
“Are you coming with us?” Nathan asked. “If you’re Dad’s girlfriend now.”
Her mouth parted, but no words came out.
“Not all girls like rugby,” I said, giving her a get-out-of-jail-free card.
She didn’t take it. “I love rugby, and it would be fun. Perhaps pizza first, yeah?”
She’d hit their sweet spot. Clever girl.
“Pizza and rugby. That will be an awesome day.” Nathan clapped. “I can’t wait.”
