Page 17 of The Best Friend
Things really are serious if even the thought of food won’t bring him round. ‘Want to tell me what happened today?’
Another shrug.
‘Let’s take your wet coat off.’ I peel off his rucksack and coat and dump them on the hall floor. Then, I take his damp hand and lead him into the kitchen, turning on the light. ‘Okay, Mr Joe Bo, I’m going to prepare my special hot chocolate with mini marshmallows. Do you know anyone who might be interested?’
He murmurs something unintelligible.
‘Hm? You say something? Know anyone who might enjoy some delicious hot chocolate?’
‘Me,’ he says in such a sad voice it breaks my heart.
‘Okay, so sit yourself down and I’ll start making it, okay?’
He nods.
‘But first, let’s have another hug.’
He walks into my arms and I press his little body to mine, inhaling his damp brown curls.
‘I love you, okay,’ I murmur. ‘And whatever’s upset you, we’ll fix it.’
He squeezes me tighter and then lets me go. ‘Can I have some hot chocolate now?’
‘Of course.’ I walk over to the fridge and take out the milk. ‘So, how was school today?’
‘Bad.’
‘You want the Batman mug or SpongeBob?’
‘SpongeBob.’
‘Why was it bad?’ I pour the milk into his mug and place it into the microwave, setting the timer.
Joe slides off the chair and runs into the hall.
‘Joe!’ I call. ‘Where are you going?’
He returns seconds later with his rucksack, swings it up onto the table with a bang, unzips it and starts ferreting around inside. I pull up a chair and sit down next to him just as he pulls out a square piece of card. It’s a party invitation –theparty invitation.
I take it out of his hand and stare at it. Tyler’s name is emblazoned across the top. Joe’s name is nowhere to be seen.
This is getting more and more ridiculous. Did I somehow misunderstand Darcy? Were we supposed to organise our own invitations? I don’t think so.
‘Are you sad because your name isn’t on the invitation?’ I ask.
Joe nods. ‘Isn’t it my party, too?’
‘Yes, sweetie. It is your party, too. Don’t worry, I’ll sort it out for you.’ I realise I’m shaking. I don’t know how a straightforward kid’s party has descended into such a major hassle. I’m going to have to ring Darcy but I really don’t feel like it. What am I going to say? It’s all going to sound so petty. The microwave pings. I stick the invitation back into Joe’s bag and take Joe’s drink out of the microwave, testing the temperature with my finger.
‘Tell you what,’ I say to my son, ‘why don’t you curl up in the lounge and watch a movie. Take your hot chocolate with you, okay?’
He nods and I bend down to kiss the top of his head, just as the doorbell rings.
‘Daddy!’ Joe runs out of the kitchen towards the front door, his sadness momentarily forgotten.
I glance up at the kitchen clock. It’s too early for Jared to be home, and why would he be ringing the doorbell? Maybe it’s Beth again. I follow Joe into the hall where he’s now crouched down, peering through the letterbox.
‘Who is it?’ I ask.
