Page 106 of When We Are Old

“Of course it will. You’ll be a family.”

“We, Ronnie. We'll be a family.” Was it just me or did I need to press this point more? “Ronnie. Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I’m just tired. I could do with a hug, if I’m being honest.”

“Just a hug?” I let my words dangle.

“Maybe more.”

“Shall I come down tomorrow? Julie has the kids this weekend. I could slip away tomorrow afternoon once my meeting with the organic farm is done.”

“How are the building works coming along?”

“Amazing, actually.”

Another pause. “And you’re sure this is your dream, to own your dad’s shop?” she asked, tight as a string on a violin.

I nodded to myself despite the fact that she couldn’t see me. “Yes.”

“Perfect. So you’ll come tomorrow?” She sighed a little breath of relief and it made me feel like Superman.

“Try and keep me away.”

“What are you doing tonight?”

“Going out with Liam and Ryan.”

“Sounds messy.”

“No, just a few pints. I haven’t seen them properly for a while.”

“Okay. I’m so tired, Matthew, I need to sleep.”

“You sure you’re okay?”

“Yes, promise. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Are you still wearing my ring?”

“Yes.”

Have you got an answer yet?” I held my breath, but I could hear her smile in the pause that followed.

“See you tomorrow.”

“Love you, Ronnie Roo.”

“Love you, Matthew.”

I hung up the phone, her saying of my name ringing in my ears.

The next morning my head thudded as I unlocked the door to the shop. I frowned at the dust sheets over the floor, the stench of paint made my head spin. Ryan always had to take it two pints too far. One day I’d man up and back out of his stupid games… one day when hell had frozen over.

I’d extended the truth to Ronnie the night before, but I didn’t want to fail now. Or ever. Really. If I could just get this place up off the ground, get myself into something, then it would be better. I’d be my own man instead of McStandish’s son-in-law or Dad’s son.

Taking a sip of my takeaway coffee and making a mental note to find out where the place down the road got their beans from, I dropped my bag down onto the counter. The new fittings were in, brass and walnut just like I’d envisioned. They’d left a tree size hole in my savings too, but it didn’t matter.

Right, I just had time to paint the staff area before I went out to the supplier. I’d found an organic salad producer not too far from the city. I wanted to see what deal we could strike to bring their produce to a targeted market. Jesus. I almost sounded like I knew what I talked about.