The Perfect Parent Project by Stewart Foster

Author:Stewart Foster
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK
Published: 2021-01-21T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 32 THE PERFECT PARENT PROJECT STAGE THREE

Josh is already waiting in the middle of the square when we get there. I’m glad I ditched the suit because Josh is wearing a T-shirt and trainers and I’d have felt even more edgy that I already am. We got on great last time, but now there’s a chance of meeting his auntie and uncle, my stomach keeps flipping over and over.

Me and Leah wheel our bikes into the park in the square.

‘It’s okay, Sam,’ she whispers. ‘He doesn’t look much like an axe murderer. Don’t think he’d squash a fly.’

I go to laugh, but all that comes out is a nervous grunt.

Josh runs over to us.

‘Hi,’ he says.

‘Hi,’ me and Leah say at the same time, as we lay our bikes on the grass.

‘This is Leah,’ I say, standing up. ‘Leah, this is Josh.’

They both nod at each other.

I don’t know what to say next. I’ve never been in the middle of two friends. But my stomach is flipping double with the awkward silence. I need to think of something to break it.

‘How do the owners choose the colours of the houses?’ I blurt. ‘I like them, but who decides?’

‘Don’t know.’ Josh looks around the square. ‘I think they can do what they want? Oh, nice trainers.’

‘Thanks.’ Leah looks down at her feet. ‘Bit random, but thanks.’

We all laugh. I think we are all as nervous as each other but I relax when I spot Leah giving me a secret thumbs up to say she thinks Josh is okay.

‘So do you live round here too?’ asks Josh.

I look at Leah, panicking. She just smiles calmly and says, ‘Yeah. I live in the same road as Sam.’

‘Cool,’ says Josh, looking at his Frisbee. ‘Did you want to play with us?’

‘No thanks.’ Leah takes her phone out of her bag. ‘Oh, I’ve got a message,’ she says.

‘Have you?’ I know she thinks Josh is okay, but I didn’t think she’d leave as quickly as this.

‘Yeah. I’ve got to go – I’ve got to go – home. Yes, home. Mum thinks our puppy has swallowed a sock and she wants me to go to the vet’s with her.’

‘A sock?’ says Josh.

‘Yeah,’ says Leah. ‘He eats anything that’s hanging around. He’s a Dalmatian.’

‘And Dalmatians eat socks?’

‘Yeah. At least this one does.’ Leah winks at me. Josh looks at her strangely.

‘I’ve got a fly in my eye,’ she says like she knows he spotted her.

‘Let’s see,’ Josh says.

‘No, I think I got it,’ Leah says, hurriedly picking up her bike. ‘I’ve got to go. Message you later, Sam. That’s if you axe-ually get a signal from the basement.’

I smile inside at how weird she’s being.

Leah smirks as she walks away.

‘What was all that about?’ says Josh.

‘Nothing,’ I say. ‘She just watches way too many films.’

‘But she seems cool.’

‘Yeah.’ I smile as Leah walks her bike out of the square. ‘She is.’

‘Just a bit weird.’

I laugh. ‘She’s not like that all the time.’

Josh holds up the Frisbee.

‘Did you want to play this for a bit?’ he asks.

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