“Callum’s leg’s digging into me!”
As an only child who didn’t even grow up around cousins, I’ve no sense of how siblings interact, or what level of acrimony is normal. Theo doesn’t seem concerned. Then again, he is buried under suitcases.
In an attempt to lift the mood, I point out a field of sunflowers. “Look at that, kids! Isn’t it beautiful?”
“We grew sunflowers at school,” snipes Mabel. “Primaryschool.”
“How do you saysunflowersin Italian?” asks Archie.
“How do you sayannoying little brotherin Italian?” grumbles Callum.
“Come on, gang,” says Theo, “let’s try and make an effort.”
I decide to zone out and concentrate on my driving. The view soon becomes dull, with nothing to see other than motorway, drab residential developments and nondescript farmland.
Wait a minute. …
“Theo,” I say, under my breath, “I don’t recognize this.”
“Are we lost?” shrieks Mabel.
Shit!
At the first turning, I exit the motorway and pull over in a dusty layby. By now the kids aren’t just yelling at one another but exchanging physical blows. While Theo excavates himself from under cases to intervene, I consult the satnav. I discover we’ve driven south rather than north.
Fuck!
I must have accidentally clicked on the wrong branch of the same supermarket. I prise myself out of the car and explain my mistake to Theo. He gives my shoulder a supportive bump. “It’s OK, Ads. Don’t worry.”
He lowers his head into the back of the car. “Sorry, gang. We’ve made a mistake.”
The three of them groan.
“Dad, canyoudrive?” asks Mabel.
“Adam doesn’t know what he’s doing,” says Callum.
There it is again: that sting of humiliation.
“Cal, Adamdoesknow what he’s doing,” Theo argues. “We just made a mistake. It happens to everyone.”
Even in the face of fierce animosity, I appreciate Theo’swe.
“Sorry, kids!” I say, brightly. “I’ll correct it in no time.”
Theo and I slide back into the car and I turn it around. But by the time we’re passing the airport again, the sun’s setting. I’m gutted as I was looking forward to watching the sunset from the house. Now we won’t get there till it’s dark. I wonder if the shops will still be open but decide not to bring this up and hope for the best.
At least the route soon looks familiar.
“Are we nearly there yet?” asks Archie.
“My leg’s gone dead,” moans Mabel.
“Not long now,” Theo reassures them. He reaches over and gives my knee a squeeze.
I try to interest the kids in the mountains up ahead, the ancient trees running along the side of the road, the dried-up river that flashes in and out of view behind them. “It looks like it hasn’t rained in ages,” I comment.
But they’re not interested—and soon the light’s faded completely.
