The Switch by Neil Bradshaw

Author:Neil Bradshaw
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Contemporary Fiction
Publisher: Matador
Published: 2023-06-02T00:00:00+00:00

21

A metaphorical hand grenade.

Graham called Paula and invited himself down for Sunday lunch. He had carefully picked a Sunday when he knew George would be free of any footballing commitments and suggested to Paula that it would be nice if he were there too. He had some news he wanted to tell them all. Something he wanted to tell them as a family, so maybe George could come alone. Just the four of them. Paula thought that was a lovely idea. And so, the date was set, the cast would be assembled and Graham would drop his bombshell. Judgement day. Probably the most difficult, uncomfortable and unpredictable day of Graham’s life so far.

Paula had mentioned to John and George that Graham had some news he wanted to share with them. George was intrigued. Had Graham met a beautiful girl, fallen in love and decided to get married? Was Paula going to have to buy a new hat or an outfit for an impending wedding? Maybe the girl was pregnant. Maybe there was another tiny member of the Miller clan ready to be announced. Was that the news? Maybe he had decided to travel or emigrate. Australia, New Zealand, America. Paula and John wouldn’t be very happy about that. The more George mused about what his news might be, the more extreme his ideas became. He was desperate to know and came close, on a couple of occasions, to phoning his brother and asking him; even for a clue. But he managed to fight the urge. He didn’t want to spoil Graham’s surprise. He would just have to wait until Sunday like everyone else. John wondered whether Graham had decided to quit university and take up Doug Fenner’s offer and become a footballer like his brother. Paula had had the same thoughts. The wealth and fame that George had already acquired was enough to make most people envious. Paula hoped not. She was very proud of her university son. He was living her dream. When she was young, she had always dreamt of going to university, but in those days her family’s financial situation hadn’t allowed it and she never had the opportunity. She had been genuinely thrilled when Graham had chosen to carry on his education after school. She was, of course, very proud of George, but somehow, she had a little more admiration and respect for Graham because he had taken, what she perceived as, the tougher road to fulfilling his potential. They were all anxious and excited to hear what Graham’s news was.

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