Page 25 of Falling Fast
‘Already?’ He does a double-take.
‘Yes.’ I clutch my hands together. ‘How do you feel about football?’
‘OK. Why?’
‘Well, I was thinking that we could hold a charity football match as a way to raise money. Hopefully Rask would sponsor the event, then you and Corey could be team captains and some of the older kids at the care home could be players. But we wouldn’t announce your participation until the actual day. That way tickets would go to people in the local community rather than just F1 fans.’
‘A charity football match?’ Leif repeats slowly.
‘Yes. What do you think?’ His underwhelmed expression makes me wonder if it’s really such a brainwave after all. On a scale of one to ten for excitement, he’s at one while I’m already at ten. Now nine and plummeting …
‘I think it’s brilliant.’
‘You do?’ I zip back up to ten. ‘That’s wonderful! I wasthinking we could set it up for the start of the summer break so it doesn’t interfere too much with your schedule. Although we’d need to get Corey’s agreement as well.’
‘No problem.’ He leans sideways, though he doesn’t take his eyes from mine. ‘Hey, Corey? You in for a charity football match?’
‘Just tell me when and where, mate!’
‘OK, then.’ I smile. For two such different people, their easy camaraderie is actually kind of sweet. ‘So … do you understand what else this means?’
‘I do.’ He inclines his head sombrely.
‘Great. In that case, I need a photo.’
‘Now?’ His brow knits as I remove my phone from the tripod.
‘Yes. I need to launch your Instagram with some kind of post. This way I can tell people you’re “cooking something up” and say to look out for the video later today.’ I narrow my eyes when he looks uncertain. ‘A deal’s a deal.’
‘Fine.’ He starts to unfasten his apron.
‘Leave it. All you have to do is look like you’re having fun.’ I hand him a whisk. ‘Here, hold this if a prop makes you feel more comfortable.’
‘I got this.’ Corey slides along the counter and drapes an arm around Leif’s shoulders. ‘Simone, get in here.’
‘That looks really good!’ I take a couple of shots with them together. ‘Now all we have to do is crown a waffle king.’
AN HOUR LATER, AFTER rolling out the dough, cutting it into balls, letting it rest again and then finally tackling a waffle iron, Simone declares Corey the winner.
‘Good job, man.’ Leif fist-bumps him while shaking his head over his own charred results. ‘I think I left mine in too long.’
‘That’s why I’m the Waffle King.’ Corey pulls on his T-shirt and points to the words emblazoned across his chest.
‘I’m sure you won’t let us forget.’ I laugh and end the recording. ‘Now if you want to leave me alone with the waffles, you’re free to go. The canteen staff are going to want the kitchen back soon.’
‘You should put some chocolate sauce on these.’ Corey pushes his plate of perfect-looking waffles towards me and kisses his fingers.
‘Non.’ Simone objects. ‘Sugar is the best topping.’
‘Buteverythingtastes better with chocolate sauce!’
‘You should probably throw these away.’ Leif gestures mournfully towards his waffles.
‘Not necessarily.’ I snap off a corner that looks a little less burnt than the rest and pop it into my mouth. ‘The flavour is still pretty good.’
‘Thanks.’ He watches as I chew.
‘She’s just being polite, mate.’ Corey slaps him on the back before heading for the door. ‘Come on, fun’s over. We need to get back to work.’
