Page 6 of Strictly Friends
‘Listen, buddy, I understand what it’s like to be different to everyone,’ she said gently. ‘When I was in primary school, I was the tallest person in my class. Some of the kids made fun of me all the time and called me names like “the giraffe”. So, believe me, I know what it’s like to be teased constantly and how awful it makes you feel inside.’
Jake put down his mug and looked at her solemnly. ‘That was really mean of them, Mum. It’s not your fault that you’re tall.’
Ruby nodded, surprised at how much the memory of those childish taunts still hurt. Towering over the rest of her class in junior school hadn’t helped endear her to the popular boys, and even in secondary school when the boys had shot up in height, she’d always felt like a lanky giant compared to the other girls.
‘I know, but sometimes good things come out of horrible situations. Do you know that me being tall was how Uncle Griffin and I became friends? We were in the same class at secondary school, and he was one of the very few boys who was taller than me. One day we had a supply teacher for one of our lessons, and when I put my hand up to answer a question, the teacher pointed at me said, “Yes, you. The big girl in the back.” So then, Uncle Griffin jumped up and said, “That’s reallyrude! And she’s tall, not big!” He got a detention for talking back, and I waited for him after school to thank him for sticking up for me. So then he walked me back home and we became best friends after that.’
Jake returned his attention to slurping the remains of his hot chocolate, and Ruby observed the tiny frown of concentration between his brows with a pang. Her son was turning into a miniature version of Kenny, and it broke her heart that his father couldn’t see how sweet and handsome his boy had grown to be.
Well, that’s why we’re doing this, Rubes.Get on with it.
Ruby took a deep breath and tried to keep her tone upbeat. ‘So, listen, buddy, remember I said I have a surprise for you?’
‘Mmm-hmm?’ Jake murmured, spooning the thick cream left in the mug into his mouth.
‘Soo... how would you feel about not going to school for a few weeks?’
His hand stilled and he looked across the table at her, his dark eyes huge in his chocolate-smudged face. ‘Why? Won’t they let me go to StMartin’s any more? I said sorry to Oliver for hitting him, Mum. Honest!’
‘No, sweetheart, it’s not that,’ Ruby said hastily. She should have realised Jake would go straight to the worst-case scenario, and the last thing she wanted was to ramp up his anxiety. ‘You’ve just been saying you don’t know anything about your dad, and I know that’s why you keep making up these stories... Jake, put your drink down and look at me.’
He thumped his mug on the table, his face set into a stubborn expression that was the spitting image of Kenny’s. Jake’s striking resemblance to his father was a constant reminder that it would never be possible to ignore Kenny’s existence, and Ruby pushed aside the unwelcome thought to focus on the task in hand.
‘Jake, I understand why you’ve been struggling lately, and Grandma Pearl and I have been trying to work out the best way to help. We’ve talked about it and we both think it’s time you met your father.’
Jake looked at her, puzzled. ‘But you said he lives a long way away.’
‘He does. After he – he, er, left here, he moved to an island in the Caribbean. It’s called Sorrel Island. So, we’ll be going there to find him. It’s a very long journey by plane, but it will be an amazing adventure for you – for both of us, actually. I’ve spoken to MrHinton about it, and he’s given me permission to take you out of school for a few weeks. Your teachers will put a learning plantogether and you’ll have to do schoolwork every day while we’re gone so you don’t fall behind.’
The last spoonful of cream in his mug was forgotten as Jake absorbed her words. In silence, he traced the handle of his teaspoon over the pattern of the wax table covering and after a few moments he asked hesitantly, ‘Will Uncle Griffin come with us?’
‘No, buddy, it’s just you and me.’
‘But Iwanthim to come!’ Jake pouted. ‘He makes everything fun.’
Yeah, cos he’s a big kid himself. Prudently keeping her thoughts to herself, Ruby picked up her napkin and reached across the table to wipe Jake’s face. ‘So, what do you think? You haven’t seen your father since you were a little boy. Are you excited about finally meeting him?’
He jerked his head away in protest at her attempt to clean him up and stared down at the table.
‘Jake?’ she urged, when the silence stretched out, unnerved by his lack of reaction to such momentous news.
‘But what if hestilldoesn’t like me, Mum? That’s why he left us, isn’t it?’ Jake said finally, his voice so quiet it was barely audible.
‘No!Absolutely not!’ Ruby stared at him, horrified. ‘Why would you even think that?’ It had never occurred to her that in the absence of any explanation for his father’s disappearance, Jake would blame himself.
Jake looked up and Ruby’s heart felt like it was shattering into tiny pieces at the naked pain in his eyes. Seeing her little boy look so wounded, she wouldn’t have been responsible for her actions if Kenny had been within arm’s reach.
Jake shrugged, as if no longer sure what to believe. He pushed his mug aside and planted his elbows on the table, his chocolate-stained face cupped between his hands. ‘But if it wasn’t my fault, Mum, why did he leave us?’
Ruby leaned forward to stroke his hair, and this time he didn’t pull away.
‘I don’t know, buddy.’ She sighed and blinked back the unexpected tears prickling her eyes. ‘That’s what we’re going to Sorrel Island to find out.’
5
‘You’re doingwhat?’ Fi’s aquamarine eyes were wide in horror, her heavy eyelashes fanned out against her porcelain complexion like thick black spiders.
If the visitor’s chair in Fi’s office had offered enough space, Ruby would have squirmed in her seat at her boss’s reaction to Ruby’s – admittedly abrupt – announcement. But Fi’s taste in office furnishings was much more suited to her own petite frame, forcing Ruby to face the fallout from her bombshell news head on.
