‘I’d love one, but I have to drive home.’
‘Couldn’t you take her back in her pushchair and leave the pickup here?’
He looks thoughtful. ‘I suppose I could. She’s good at transferring, actually, so if she falls asleep... Yeah, all right, then.’
I come back a little while later with two more bottles.
‘That issucha good idea,’ I enthuse, jerking my head back at the horsebox. ‘It reminds me of Morris’s cream-tea business, actually.’
InThe Secret Life of Us,Morris starts up a business delivering cream teas by bicycle to campsites and village greens.
Charlie laughs. ‘That was my idea.’
‘What?’
‘Nicki stole it. Adam and I were going to do it.’
‘No way! But it’s such a good idea! Why don’t you?’
‘I can’t now, I’d look like a right div.’
‘Rubbish! You should!’
‘Nah. Anyway, I don’t have the time. Adam could if he wanted to.’ He shrugs and takes another swig from his bottle. ‘This is going down really well,’ he says.
‘It’s almost six thirty.’ I grab my purse. ‘I’ll go.’
I wait in the queue to collect, counting up the amount of money I’ll need, only to find that Charlie has already paid for them. He refuses my cash when I try to hand it over.
‘That’s not fair,’ I say. ‘I should give you petrol money for today, too.’
He gives me a dirty look. ‘Don’t be ridiculous.’
‘Seriously, if you’re driving me to Heligan on Saturday, then I’m paying for the petrol.’
‘Bridget, Iwantto go to Heligan. Can you chill out, please?’
‘Then I’m paying the entry fee for us all.’
‘Whatever. You can if you really want to.’
‘I really want to.’
We move into the van and Charlie balances April on his knee while he’s cutting up her pizza. It must be tricky for him to eat with her in his arms, but somehow he manages it without spilling cheese all down his T-shirt. She fares less well. Her face is covered in tomato sauce within minutes of tucking in. A couple of weeks ago I would be worried about her getting food on the bench seat, but it doesn’t really bother me now.
I know the power of Johnson & Johnson baby wipes.
‘Is it her birthday soon?’ I ask Charlie from my captain’s chair position. I’m in the passenger seat, having not bothered to turn the driver’s seat around since I drove back from Bristol airport.
‘Two weeks, this Sunday.’
‘Are you doing anything for it?’
His voice is loaded when he replies. ‘Yeah. My parents railroaded me into throwing a party. I haven’t felt much like celebrating.’
‘It’s a big milestone,’ I say.
‘Yeah. I know.’ His eyes dart up to look at me. ‘Will you come?’
