Page 57 of The Last Train Home
Tom
I’m out of work on time, for once. I’m dreading going to Abbie’s party. I don’t want to say goodbye. I don’t want to see her go. I’m worried I’ll say all the wrong things. I also won’t know anyone else there, other than her dad – who I’ve only met once, very fleetingly – and Sean, but I don’t fancy getting embroiled in any kind of chat with him.
My phone rings and I reach into my inside jacket pocket. The number for Teddy’s nursery flashes up on the screen.
‘Hello?’ I ask, warily. The nursery staff never call.
‘Mr Archer, it’s Lizzie from Little Faces nursery. You didn’t request a late pick-up and tea for Teddy tonight and I’m afraid we don’t have the staffing numbers planned to accommodate him.’
I’m not quite sure what they’re asking me. ‘Has Samantha not arrived yet to collect him?’
‘I’m afraid not. We’ve tried calling Teddy’s mother and have had no reply.’
What’s happened to Samantha? ‘OK. OK, leave it with me. I’ll try her and I’ll call you back.’ I put my bag down on the courtyard pavement and ring Samantha.
No answer.
I try again. And then again.
She picks up finally. ‘Yes?’
‘Where are you? Nursery’s been on the phone. You didn’t sign Teddy up for a late pick-up and you’ve not arrived.’
‘I’m not there.’
‘Where are you?’
‘I told you I was going away again. It’s our team-building weekend,’ she says.
‘What? When did you tell me this?’
‘It’s been on the calendar on the wall for ages. If you bothered to look at it, you’d know.’
‘So you didn’t tell me.’
‘I did tell you. Weeks ago.’
‘But you didn’t remind me this morning before you went to work. You got up and left before I was even awake.’
‘But I told you weeks ago, and it’s on the calendar. I can’t bloody do it for you, Tom. You have to think for yourself every now and again.’
I can’t believe what I’m hearing. ‘Idothink for myself! I just need you to tell me this kind of stuff. I need a reminder.’
‘You had a reminder. I told you, and it’s on the calendar. How many more reminders do you need?’
I run my hand through my hair. ‘Samantha, I’m at a leaving party.’
‘Then you need to leave it and go and pick up Teddy, or else we’ll get some kind of super-bill as punishment for an evening and dinner session we didn’t request.’
That nursery already robs me blind. I’m going to have to sell a kidney soon to fund Teddy’s place. ‘They can’t keephim there anyway. They don’t have the staffing ratio or some bullshit.’
‘Problem solved, then. Leave the party and go and get him.’
‘I haven’t even made it to the party!’
‘Even better,’ she says. ‘Get on the train and collect our son.’
‘When are you back?’ I ask. I can’t fight any more.
