Theo by Amanda Prowse

Author:Amanda Prowse [Prowse, Amanda]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781788542050
Publisher: Head of Zeus

11

‘Well...’ Spud popped the last of his scampi into his mouth and wiped his hands on the paper napkin before flinging it into the puddle of tartare sauce and breadcrumbs that sat in the middle of his plate. ‘I have to say that for someone who’s just returned from the Maldives, you look mightily down in the dumps! Did none of that sunshine and relaxed living rub off on you?’

‘Not exactly.’

‘Half your luck...! I think Kumi and I celebrated our one-year anniversary by sharing a tub of raspberry ripple and having sex. In fact...’ He sipped his drink. ‘...that might actually have been the last time we had sex.’

Theo abandoned his grey burger and chips and pushed the plate away with a sigh. ‘I just don’t know—’

‘Well, we both know that you do know, but you’re just deciding whether to confide in me or not.’

Theo gave a wry smile. It was impossible to fool his best mate. ‘Okay...’ He took a slug of his drink. ‘The villa was incredible, right on the water, with a deck and all the bells and whistles. Anna was so excited to be there and it was brilliant seeing her happiness – it was the first time she’d been somewhere like that. And there was the usual champagne on arrival, blue sky, bluer sea...’ He rolled his hand in the air. ‘You get the gist.’

‘I do and I can see why you’d be so miserable – it sounds bloody awful.’ Spud sipped his pint.

Theo rubbed his hand over his face. ‘I love her.’

‘I know.’

‘But it’s the having-kids issue that keeps on cropping up.’

‘It’s going to, mate. You’ve been married a year, it’s what she wants, and rightly or not, it’s what others expect too. And it’s a big thing, a pressure, the biggest inside a marriage, I would think – certainly it is in ours. Kumi is already pushing for number two and I’m still trying to get my head around the fact that number one is here to stay!’

Theo wasn’t in the mood for humour. ‘Anna thinks having a family will be the thing that cements us.’

‘It might be,’ Spud offered supportively.

‘But I don’t think so, not for me. I haven’t learnt the things you did. The way you talk about your dad, like he’s your mate, and all the experiences you’ve had together...’ He paused. ‘And now you’re a dad too and you just take it all in your stride. I’ve had none of that – I wouldn’t know where to start.’ He fingered the fishing fly on his lapel, trying to calm his agitation.

‘Everyone feels like that and, trust me, no matter how or where or by whom you were raised, nothing prepares you for having one of your own. You just have to try and figure it out as you go along. Kumi and I have had such different experiences, but I think that’s what makes it work. Miyu will have balance.’

Theo shook his head and shifted uncomfortably in his seat.

‘You’re shaking your head like you don’t believe me,’ Spud said.

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