Page 89 of Things We Never Said
‘It was basketball last time.’
‘Maybe he’ll do both,’ April says. ‘Simultaneously. Gym-ball or basket-nast or something. A whole new sport.’
‘I’d like to see that,’ Sean says distractedly. His phone has begun to vibrate again, so he pulls it away from his ear to check the screen. ‘Sorry, I’ve got another call. Hold on a second, will you?’
‘Is it them? Is it the estate agent’s?’ April asks.
‘Yes,’ Sean says. ‘Won’t be long.’
Two minutes later, when Sean attempts to recover the call, it’s not April he finds on the end of the line but Maggie.
‘How did that happen?’ he says.
‘I’m sorry?’
‘I was talking to April. I didn’t phone you.’
‘Ooh,’ Maggie says, with mock distaste. ‘Don’t sound so keen, Sean. Just tell it like it is, won’t you?’
Sean laughs. ‘It’s not that I don’t love talking to you, Maggie. It’s just I was on the phone to April. I put her on hold and suddenly I’m talking to you. I don’t see how that happened.’
‘I phoned you, Sean,’ Maggie says. ‘Do you want me to bugger off?’
‘No, you’re OK,’ Sean says, glaring briefly at the screen of the phone. The call with April seems to have been dropped. ‘Was it for something specific?’
‘Not really. I just wanted to know what the news was. About the flat out at C.R.’
‘Did April call you?’ Sean asks.
‘No. Not at all. Why?’
‘It’s just ... that’s weird, that’s all. You both calling me.’
‘Why, is there news?’
‘I just found out. Literally ten seconds ago.’
‘You found out what?’
‘They said yes. The sellers, that is. They just accepted my offer.’
‘Oh, gosh!’ Maggie exclaims. ‘Gosh, that’s brilliant news, Sean.’
‘Is it?’
‘Yes. You’re not having doubts, are you?’
‘I’m not sure,’ Sean says. ‘I’m just a bit shocked, I suppose. Look ... it’s ... lovely chatting, Mags, but would you mind terribly if I phoned you back this evening? I was on the line to April and I lost her. She’ll be wondering what happened.’
‘Of course,’ Maggie says. ‘Kids come first. How about a pint somewhere? To celebrate? This evening?’
‘Maybe at the weekend,’ Sean offers. ‘I need, I don’t know, time to digest it all, I think.’
When Sean tells her the news, April shrieks. ‘I’m so excited!’ she says.
‘Are you?’
‘Yes! Of course. Aren’t you?’
