“I was going to make spaghetti Bolognaise for dinner tonight, but I was thinking of doing a big cook and making shepherd’s pie too. Then I can save you a bit of time when we’ve gone by making tons extra and freezing individual portions so you’ve got some quick dinners in. How does that sound? Will that be okay?”
He could tell she was worried about overstepping.
Jonny chuckled. He had no issue with anyone helping by making him food. “Sounds great, Mandy. Make sure some of the portions are huge for me and Charlie. The boy eats as much as I do now. I swear he’s got hollow legs.”
“He’s grown a lot. Tall and wiry. Is that how you were?”
Jonny nodded. “Lanky as they come until I got to sixteen and woke up one morning with muscles. That’s how my mother tells it.”
“How are your parents? We haven’t seen them for so long.”
“They’re good. Helping my sister at the moment with her new baby.” He leaned back against the kitchen worktop.
Mandy opened the drawer. “Where do you keep your knives?”
“I have a sharps’ box in the top cupboard. The code for the lock is Grace’s birthday.”
She gave a nervous laugh. “You’re such a good dad. I suppose you have to think of everything.”
“Sadie and Harry know better than to touch the kitchen knives and Charlie’s at the age where he’s starting to cook in the kitchen so he knows how to be responsible with them.”
“He’s such a good boy. Last night he was just totally charming, telling us all about school and scouts. He talked about Rayah a lot too. Said she’s been staying over quite a bit in the guest room.”
Thiswas what she wanted to discuss with him.
“She has. She’s been helping out with the kids since Mrs Morris has been in hospital having a knee replacement. It’s easier for her to stay over if I’m working late.” And easier for them to fuck each other brains out afterwards. They’d been finding time to be alone together and it hadn’t been as difficult as he’d thought. He’d become addicted to her tight pussy and the mewls she made when she broke apart on his cock or his fingers or mouth. No one had raised an eyebrow yet about them spending so much time together because they’d been close friends since Sadie was a baby. He hadn’t worked out why they hadn’t tried this sooner or why it had taken him so long to see how fucking gorgeous and amazing she was.
“I may have used some of her body wash – it’s made my skin so soft! Please apologise to her and let her know I’ll replace it.”
He knew how soft that body wash made Rayah’s skin, his hands were more than familiar with applying it too. “She won’t mind. I’m pretty sure she has a stash of it.” He realised knowing that made him sound a tad too familiar.
“Charlie really likes her being around. You know, Jonny, we won’t judge you for having another partner. You’ve been on your own for so long. Grace wouldn’t want you to not have a relationship because she isn’t here. Is there something more with you and Rayah? Charlie talked about her almost non-stop.” Mandy looked like she was about to burst with delight, which didn’t surprise him. “And we know you’d never introduce someone to the children who wasn’t a good influence.”
He smiled. “Rayah’s easy to hang out with and she loves the kids.”
“But it’s nothing more?” She looked almost disappointed.
“We spend a lot of time together.” He was becoming a master at avoiding answering questions. Maybe it was time to consider a career in politics. “Are you sure you’re okay with looking after them tonight?” Mandy and Ian were staying for ten days or so, which meant he could take a bit of time to socialise and spend time with each of his children by themselves. What it did mean was that he didn’t have as easy access to Rayah, unless he went home with her at some point, which would probably happen.
“Absolutely. We have Saturday night television to watch and we’re going to teach Charlie and Harry some card games.”
“Sadie will probably join in. Be warned.” She hated being left out which her brothers knew well.
“Why don’t you make the most of it and go out early? Or go for a run or whatever it is you do?” She gave him a beaming smile again.
“That’s not a bad plan.”
Never turn down an offer of help. And he certainly wasn’t turning down this one.
The first sipof a freshly pulled pint was always the sweetest. Jonny sat back on one of the comfy couches that Scott had recently introduced into the bar, probably at the insistence of Keren. Most things Scott did nowadays were at the insistence of Keren. After a six mile run in under forty-five minutes, he’d showered, texted Rayah and made himself presentable for the evening.
It was the first time since Scott’s daughter had been born that he was playing a gig, singing with Marley, Severton’s resident quirky singer, and a solo set. The bar would end up being packed out so Jonny had wanted to get here early to bag these particular seats as they were close to bar and good for the acoustics.
“Shift up.” Scott appeared looking smartened up but as if he hadn’t slept for ten days, which with a new born was quite possible. “How the fuck did you do it?”
“Do what?” Jonny took a long drink of his beer. “Enlighten me. Are you talking about how smooth I am, or the quality of my beard?”
“Fuck off, Jonny. How did you manage on your own with a baby, a toddler and a kid? When did you actually sleep? Eden is the best thing that’s ever happened to me, apart from Keren finally realising that she can tolerate me, but shit, I’d like to sleep soon.”
