Page 105 of Loving Netta Wilde

‘Yeah, my old man too. Did he get you on the sites? I tell you, every summer holiday my mates were playing football in the park and me and my brothers were hauling bricks.’

‘Only once. It didn’t work out well. My half-brothers did though. They followed him into the business.’

‘When did your parents divorce?’ asked Colin.

‘They didn’t. He was married to someone else. He never left his other family.’

‘It happens,’ said Chris.

‘My dad used to take me into work with him,’ said Colin. ‘He was an accountant. Had a team of them. Told me that’s what I was going to be. So I was. And I hated every minute of it. First chance I got, I ditched it to become an artist. Don’t know whatI’m going to be next. But I do know I’ve got people to help me work it out. That’s new.’

Doogie bumped his can against Colin’s. ‘Take your time getting there though. Make it count.’

‘Good advice. I will.’

Frank took a sip of beer. He’d never in a million years have imagined this scenario. He often spent time with Neil and Chris, they were friends, but chewing the cud with Colin Grey and Doogie Chambers was way beyond the boundaries of his imagination. Yet here he was. Somehow, they’d become friends. Family even.

His thoughts went back to 2018. Colin had told him he measured his life before and after the second coming, which was his way of describing Netta’s affair with Doogie. If Frank had to measure his recent life, it would be before and after Netta’s coming in 2018. He’d been alone, somewhat set in his ways, and missing his daughter. Then one day a shy, almost broken woman came to view the house next door and that was it. Netta Wilde walked into his life and changed it forever. And he knew it would carry on changing, because things never stood still with Netta. It would always be filled with people like Doogie and Colin. Like Neil, and like Kelly too, that sweet mixed-up kid with a whiplash tongue who’d adopted Netta as her surrogate mum. Their family would keep on changing because people were drawn to Netta Wilde, and she had a heart big enough for all of them. Including him.

60

UNPACKING THE BOXES

‘Mum is so gonna wish she’d hung around for longer,’ said Merrie. ‘She’s gonna be really pissed off at missing you being all-action hero.’

They were sitting in the waiting area of New Street Station. It was a vast open space with lots of people, benches and, curiously, a thirty-foot metal bull. Doogie pulled his attention back from the bull to the conversation. ‘I doubt that very much. And talking about being pissed off, I’m still racked off with you for not listening to me about waiting for Arthur and Geraldine.’

‘Ooh listen to you coming on so dad-like. Anyway, they were right behind me.’

‘Only because they had to scramble out the car after you when you shot past them like a racehorse, according to Arthur.’

‘Well I was scared for you when I saw Byron coming back.’

‘You don’t need to be scared for me. I can look after myself.’

‘Well obviously I know that now, Mr Hardcore. Hey, can you teach me some boxing moves next time I see you?’

‘Boxing moves? It’s not like dancing, you know. Yes. All right. If that’s what you want. I don’t know what Claire will say though.’

Merrie crossed her long legs. ‘Dad, I know you like, missed a few years, but I am twenty now. Mum is not the boss of me.’

Doogie laughed. ‘Have you broken that to her yet?’

‘Hell no. Oh, my train’s here. I’d better go.’

He walked her to the barrier. ‘Let me know when you’re back home.’

‘It’s only Brighton.’

‘I know but I worry.’

She took her bag off him. ‘Huh. Where were you when I fell off my bike and broke my arm?’

She meant it as a joke, but he felt it all the same.

She kissed him. ‘So you’ll let me know how it goes with you and Grace?’

‘Yes.’

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