“Probably will be on track to get back the week before Christmas though, if that’s all good?”
“Of course.Please don’t stress.”
“What have you been up to these holidays?”
I fill him in on Koby’s current situation and that he’ll be here over Christmas and most likely Aria, too.
“I can stay elsewhere if you need the room?”He offers.
“No, don’t be silly.I want you in the house.”
“Did you want my room for Aunty Jill and Uncle Teddy then?”
“It’s fine.Teddy will stay in the spare room with Dec, and Jill will be with me.Marla and Aria can share a room.She was going to stay at Koby’s over Christmas, but she might stay with Courtney.”
“Well, I can always stay with friends who live close and owe me a favour if you need another bed in the house for anyone.”
“Thank you, honey.I appreciate the offer.”
“So you and Koby hanging out must be like old times?”
“Yeah.Just like old times.”I grimace.Like old times, when I was a horny teenager and could not stop lusting after him.
“I’m glad to hear.I liked hearing you both were reconnecting more through the last few years.This will just help you guys get back to where you used to be.”
“We’ve always been friends, though.Life just gets in between things.”
“Of course.”He pauses.“Oh!Brax will let you know when he comes to see you, but both Jack and Adrian will be taking parental leave next year.”
“Aww, that’s wonderful to hear.I remember they have been trying for a while.How are their wives going?Are they both around the same time?”
“Yeah, they are due May or June.”
“Anyone ready to step up into those roles, or will we need to figure out some recruitment?”
“There could be one person ready for the responsibility, if they want to take it.But we definitely will need to recruit for Adrian’s role.Might be a good opportunity to get a different perspective on the team.”
“That’s a great point.I’ll have a think about who on my team might be ready for a challenge before Brax gets here.I could also ask Koby if he has anyone from enduro or our racing side he thinks would make a good fix.”
“Yeah.That’ll be great.Thanks.”
“I’m sure he’ll update me when he is here, but how is his mum doing?”
“It doesn’t sound good, to be honest.I’m sure he will discuss everything with you, but she is getting worse quicker than they predicted.He's still been on the ball this season, but…” He pauses, unable to find the right words.
“He doesn’t need work stress adding to his problems,” I finish for him.It’s what I have been worried about for him too.
“Exactly.”
“I’ll work on some options for when he gets here.Thanks for the heads up.”
“Sounds good.I’m going to duck off now.Just arrived at the hotel, and I need to get in and have a shower.”
“Okay, have a lovely night.Chat soon, honey.”
“Thanks, Mum.Chat soon.”
Pulling up my note-taking app, I start writing up some names, ready for when Brax arrives.He has had a trying year himself.He’s had to take time off over the season to organise care for his mum, whose dementia has been getting worse rapidly.Being an only child and his dad not in the picture anymore, he has been the only person to organise her going into care.I worry about what news he will meet me with in three days.
