‘No, but he did say something pretty weird.’ I tell him what Mike said about Darcy kicking him out, and not the other way around.
‘That’s odd,’ he says. ‘Why would Mike lie about something like that?’
‘That’s if heislying,’ I say. ‘Maybe she’s the one who lied.’
‘But Darcy was so upset when he left,’ Jared says. ‘You saw her. No one can fake that kind of hurt.’
‘Mike was shocked when I suggested he’d left Darcy. You didn’t see him. And when I said Darcy was devastated when he left, he looked so hopeful, like he really wanted to get back with her.’
‘So, maybe it was all some massive misunderstanding,’ Jared says. ‘Look, Lou, sorry, but I can’t talk about this now. I’m about to go into a meeting.’
‘Sure, okay, I’ve got to get Joe anyway. I just wanted to let you know tha—’
‘I’ve really got to go. We’ll talk later, okay? Love you.’
‘Okay, love you, too.’ I end the call with an uneasy feeling. This whole situation is weird. Why would Darcy lie about Mike leaving her? It makes no sense.
School is only a ten-minute drive from the beach, but there are absolutely no parking spaces anywhere in the vicinity of the gates, so I drive round and around the block, my hands clenching the steering wheel, my breaths coming short and fast. Reproaching myself for not getting here sooner. By the time I eventually find a space, it takes me five attempts to parallel park, and I’m sure the workmen across the road are sniggering at my poor attempts to shoehorn myself into the tiny space. Finally, with sweat gathering at my neck and my heart pumping, I exit the car and race the two and a half blocks to school, my knee groaning in agony.
Turns out I needn’t have worried – Mrs Landry and several of the other teachers are late out today, and the playground is still crowded with parents. I stand at the edge getting my breath back, trying not to catch anyone’s eye. I don’t feel like talking. But luck isn’t on my side.
‘Hey.’
It’s Darcy. I manage a limp smile.
‘Your face is really red,’ she says. ‘You okay?’
‘I thought I was late for pick up. I had to run.’
‘No, they’ll be a while yet. Wasn’t it lovely. Joe was so funny.’
I’m not sure what she’s talking about. ‘Sorry? What?’
‘The Year 3 assembly this afternoon. Just now. Oh, but you just got here so you mustn’t have watched it.’
‘The assembly was today?’ My heart sinks. ‘I thought it was next week.’
‘Oh,’ she sticks out her bottom lip. ‘Did you get the wrong date? Personally, I can’t live without a wall planner. If I don’t write it on there, it doesn’t happen. You should really get one.’
I grit my teeth, gutted that I missed Joe’s assembly. With everything going on, I totally forgot. And yet, I still had time for a walk on the beach. I feel like a totally shit mother. At least there’s one thing I can do to help Joe.
‘Actually, Darcy, while you’re here, I wanted a quick word with you about Joe and Tyler.’
She raises an eyebrow.
‘It’s a bit awkward, but Joe says Tyler’s been pinching him, and also getting him into trouble with the teacher. Would you mind having a little chat with him? And of course, if Joe’s done anything to—’
‘Actually,’ she says, her eyes narrowing, ‘I wasn’t going to mention it, but Tyler has been saying the exact same thing about Joe. So maybe you might want to have a little word withhim.’
I’m taken aback by her sudden and barely concealed rage. ‘Oh, sorry, I didn’t realise. Of course—’
‘It’s okay,’ she says, smoothing away her anger, ‘boys will be boys. I would certainly appreciate you speaking to Joe about it. Tyler’s not usually one to tell tales, so this must really have upset him.’
I don’t believe for a minute that Joe’s been hurting Tyler. It’s just not in his nature, but I’ll pretend to take her concerns seriously if it means she’ll also have a word with her son.
‘Great,’ I say. ‘So if we both have a word with them, hopefully, they can go back to being friends again.’
Darcy gives me a perfunctory smile, which makes me doubt she’s going to mention anything to Tyler. Fine. If he hurts Joe again, I’ll just have to go direct to his teacher.
