Archie nodded. ‘Grand. I’ll pick you up at twenty to. We don’t want to be too early, eh? Although it sounds like you’ve no need to be going really.’ He winked.
Caitlin waved her hand. ‘Oh, take no notice. Kids gossiping at school, that’s all.’
‘Aye, right enough.’ His wry smile told her he wasn’t convinced. ‘Well, I’ll get back to my burgers. See you later.’ He raised a hand and waved as he left.
Caitlin watched him leave and sighed. ‘What have I got myself into this time?’ she asked aloud. ‘I just hope it’s not as bad as the last one.’
* * *
After dinner, Caitlin and Grace were watching reruns ofFriendson TV and eating their gelato as Cleo stared hopefully at them each in turn.
‘So… What exactly did Cora say that made you think Mr Budge likes me?’ It had been preying on her mind all evening and she had eventually given in to curiosity.
Grace turned in her seat to face her mum. ‘Oh… right, so Cora said that when we had gone the other day, he said that you made him laugh and that you were common.’
Caitlin gasped. ‘Excuse me?’
‘You know, you like the same kinds of things. You’re both common.’
Caitlin stifled a laugh. ‘I think you mean we have things in common.’
Grace pursed her lips. ‘Oh yeah, that might have been it.’
‘I certainly hope it was,’ Caitlin mumbled.
‘Her mum was a right crabbit wee woman you know,’ Grace informed her.
‘You probably shouldn’t say things like that about your best friend’s mum, Gracie.’
‘No, it’s okay. Cora says it too. That’s why she lives with her dad. Her mum was always talking about people getting fat, and she wouldn’t let Cora, or her dad, have cakes and stuff. They were banned from the house! Can you believe it? She was obsessed, I think.’
Caitlin agreed but didn’t want to voice that opinion. ‘Everyone’s different though, love. Each has their own priorities.’
‘Yeah, and Mrs Budge’s was to make her family miserable. Do you know what she used to buy Cora for Easter?’
‘Go on?’
‘You’ll not believe it,’ Grace said dramatically.
‘Is it that bad?’
‘Nuts and seeds! Like she’s a bird or something. I mean, if you bought me nuts and seeds for Easter, I’d be ringing Childline.’
Caitlin laughed. ‘That’s not really a reason to ring Childline.’
‘Well, the newspaper then! Who wants nuts and seeds for Easter?’
Caitlin smirked. ‘Fair point.’
‘So do you think you might get married?’ Grace’s question was, as always, out of left field.
‘I’d have to find someone to marry first, love.’
‘I meant to Mr Budge.’
Caitlin sighed. ‘I think you need to slow down, missy. He hasn’t… I mean, neither of us have asked the other out yet. And that might not even happen. And even if it did, marriage isn’t something you decide on after a few dates, you know? It takes a long time to get to know someone.’
Grace rolled her eyes. ‘Boring! Shall I make a cuppa?’
