Further down the table, Bailey was saying something about birthday parties and it reminded me Jack’s birthday was coming up at the end of April. Hannah had already mentioned having a party but we hadn’t gotten any further than that. I needed to start thinking about it, though, or we’d end up doing nothing.
Although if he was only turning three, did it need to be a huge, elaborate affair? Was I wrong for even thinking that? Would I be totally failing as a dad if I didn’t make all his birthday wishes come true?
I was saved, briefly, from further spiralling by messages from Harper, although they didn’t exactly cheer me up.
Harper
I know jam sandwiches aren’t the most nutritional however it was what Jack wanted and any food is better than no food. His temperature is thirty-eight. No, he hasn’t been sick and he hasn’t got a rash. Yes, I know all the symptoms of various illnesses and no, I am not currently concerned for Jack’s health.
Harper
I will send updates when things change and when he has more Calpol. You are free to check the cameras if you wish.
He’d answered my questions but the chill emanating from my phone was enough to make me shiver. My asks weren’t unreasonable, though, so why was he upset?
Maybe it would be easier to call him and check in.
“Be back in a minute,” I said vaguely to the other people at the table as I stood, grabbing my empty plate to deposit it on the rack near the kitchen. The noodles on their own weren’t really enough but if I had time, I’d get something else before we went back to training. There were always yoghurt bowls and fruit available if I didn’t want more hot food.
Ducking out through the doors of the canteen, I pulled up Harper’s number and hit the call button as I wandered towards the front door of the training centre. Everyone else was still at lunch, so hopefully nobody would be listening.
“Hey,” Harper said. He sounded confused and in the background, I could hear the distant strains ofRobin Hood. I tried not to think about how much I’d fancied that fox as a kid. “Everything okay? Did my messages not come through?”
“Yeah, they did. But I wanted to get some more details.”
“Okay… such as?”
“What thermometer are you using for his temperature? Only I think the one in the kitchen first aid kit is a bit dodgy, and I’m not convinced the one I had for Jack as a baby is any good either.”
“I have my own. It’s part of the first aid kit I carry, which I check every six months to make sure is fully stocked and nothing is out of date,” Harper said calmly.
“Oh good,” I said, trying not to sound thrown. But what did he keep in his first aid kit that went out of date? Did plasters have an expiration? I’d have to check the kit in the kitchen when I got home.
“And the Calpol is from a brand-new bottle, which I bought today, and a brand-new spoon, so there’s no risk of cross contamination.”
“When did you get it?”
“When I picked Jack up from nursery,” he said. “We made a quick pit stop at Boots.”
“Was that necessary?”
“Yes,” he said, a note of irritation hardening his normally soft tone. “I couldn’t find anything for Jack to take in the main bathroom or kitchen, and I wasn’t about to go rifling through your bedroom.”
I scowled because he was in the right but I still didn’t like it. I knew where the open bottle of Calpol was too—sitting on the shelves next to the sink in my en-suite because I hadn’t thought to take it back downstairs. It hadn’t crossed my mind that anyone else would need it.
“That… makes sense,” I said through a clenched jaw as irritation bubbled in my chest.
“Thank you. Anything else? Would you like me to put you on speaker?”
“No, I don’t want to upset Jack since I’m not coming home. Unless you need me to? Would it be better if I came home?”
“We’re absolutely fine,” Harper said, the smile reappearing in his voice. I heard Jack say something and Harper hummed in acknowledgement. “Of course, let me ask him… Jack wants to say hello.”
I didn’t really get a moment to think about it because a second later there was a loud sniff and then Jack said, “Daddy.”
“Hey, buddy, how’re you? Harper said you’re feeling poorly.”
“No, I have a banana.”
