Page 141 of How We Began
“Mum, didn’t you only buy that six months ago?” I asked opening the window wide and lighting a cigarette.
“No. I do not think so, probably nearer to eight.”
“You just bought a new one so you could give us the old one, didn’t you?”
“Shh! Don’t tell your father. You can’t keep that one with the blue stain.”
“Thanks, Mum.”
“We will be up bright and early Saturday to help.”
“Pardon?”
“We’ll be there to help you. Assuming you need the help?”
“Uh, yeah. Thanks, Mum. We’ll see you there.”
I wasn’t expecting that conversation and I stared at Ben who was sitting next to me with his guitar.
“That was Mum,” I said, sounding a little shocked.
“Yep, I guessed that.”
“She’s coming to help.”
“Yep, I guessed that, too.”
“Strange, isn’t it?”
“Nope, not really. My mum’s coming to help, too.”
“What?”
“You heard.”
Oh, God.
PART NINE
May
1st May
“Ready. Get set. Go!” I shouted, starting the timer on my phone. I was perched on the kitchen counter as we conducted another toast test. This time the question was ‘How long does it take to make the perfect piece of toast?’
Answer: Two minutes and 33 seconds.
No studying.
2nd May
Another experiment.
Which lager is guaranteed to get you more drunk? Stella or Kronenberg? Ben is drinking the Stella. I’m downing the Kronenberg.
Trev has money running on the Kronenberg, but I think that’s because I am drinking it.
Seven pints a piece.
