Page 72 of Did My Love Life Shrink in the Wash?
‘You also came in the nick of time. We were close to giving this gig to another baby but I really am not fond of the family,’ Giles says, changing the subject.
‘How so?’
‘Have you ever met Harry? He was at the video shoot with his little girl.’
I nod, hoping my face doesn’t give too much away.
‘He’s a horrific pushy parent. Him and his wife love having their girl in the spotlight. They’re competitive and obnoxious, they weasel their way into jobs. He’s a washed-up has-been, trying to relive his youth. He was shagging Yasmin at one point, too.’
‘You know about that?’ I say, trying to act surprised.
‘You did?’
‘I saw them having a bit of a moment in a corridor at the video shoot.’
‘It’s what he does. I thought Yasmin had better sense than that.’
His phone suddenly rings. ‘Excuse me, while I take this…’
‘G? You on your way back? We need milk,’ a male voice pipes up.
‘Sure, about half an hour? How was Kai’s assembly? What was the certificate for?’
‘For flawless commitment to his maths and always setting himself challenges.’
‘That’s all me.’
The voice on the other end laughs and I hear a child shouting in the background.
‘See you in a bit.’
‘Sorry, that was Oliver, my husband. Kai’s other dad.’
I smile but feel strangely sad. Those were the phone calls I used to make to Will – those little fragments of conversation that used to piece the day together.
‘How old is Kai?’ I ask.
‘Six, he’s this little ball of dynamite. You thought babies were hard? You wait until they can answer back. My phone is just there, look at the screensaver. That’s us last year on holiday.’
A little boy with a mop of sandy hair looks up at me, with two grinning faces either side. It’s sun-drenched and perfect. His husband has a smattering of stubble and warm grey eyes.
‘And while you have my phone. Open my last WhatsApp message and follow that link. I think you’ll like it…’
I do as I’m told and open a Vevo link to Special K’s new video. The thumbnail image is her holding Joe, along with that lioness who is now real down to some CGI. The video is very slick and choreographed and Joe sits there in the middle of it all and just takes it all in. I smile. Hang on. One million views. My face gives it away.
‘It’s blown up, right? That was released like an hour ago. And look at Joe, he’s a little superstar. He’s a credit to you.’
I take in the compliment but I’m not sure how much I’ve taught him in the way of sitting still and not getting too disturbed by bright lights.
‘I mean, if you want to stick with this then I can introduce you to plenty of people. You’re very easy to work with.’
I hear Joe from the back almost gurgling in agreement.
‘Would we be working with Yasmin?’ I ask.
‘I’m now working out that even though you two went to school together, you weren’t friends, were you?’
‘Were you friends with everyone you went to school with?’
