“Do you want to wait here? I’ll sort the kids out. Do you want anything?”
“Yeah, get me a twirly one with a flake.” He waits outside the bustling cafe and crouches down to play with Caleb again.
“Girls, do you want to come with me and choose an ice cream?”
When I return, I hand Cal his ice cream, and we walk down the woodland trail. I suck on my ice lolly, savouring the cold ice, but wishing I could smear it all over my face to keep cool, or keep my cool. The kids walk in front, and Cal pushes the buggy with one hand.
“When do you go back?”
“I should have gone back today, but I’ve changed my flight to give me another two weeks.”
“Then what?”
“The media company I work for will let me work from home or maybe do freelance, so I can split my time between here and there. I won’t be an absent dad. I’ll sort something out.”
We arrive at a clearing, and the kids run to the climbing frame in the middle. Cal and I take a seat on a picnic bench.
“Do you want some ice cream, pal? Mummy didn’t get you any, did she?” Cal holds his ice cream in front of Caleb’s mouth, and he sucks on the cream, waving his arms with wide eyes.
“You shouldn’t be giving him dairy.”
He shakes his head. “Steph. I’m pretty sure Beth was licking ketchup from chips at his age.”
“Well, if you’re going to do that, you might want to put his bib on.” I point to the changing bag on the buggy next to Cal.
He opens the bag and pulls out a large bib. “Is this for you or him?” He chuckles to himself, and I laugh along, thinking it’s the first time I’ve laughed all week.
Cal pops the oversized bib over Caleb’s head and lets him suck on the remaining ice cream that Cal saved in his cone.
I glance over at the kids. The girls are hanging out near the swings and Cairen is halfway up a tree. “Don’t give him too much of that ice cream. He’s not used to it.”
“Chill, Steph. He’s fine. Look at him. I have had kids before. Don’t worry.”
Huh, don’t worry, he says, but I am worried. I’m worried about my son getting rejected when he decides he’s had enough.
“So, what have you been up to?”
“Nothing, just work.”
“How’s Priya?”
“Fine. Apart from her dad passing, but she’s okay.”
I let go of my shirt and pick at my nails under the table. “I’m sorry.”
“I met my dad.” He rubs a finger over his eyebrow and gives me a pained look.
My head tilts, and I lean on the table with my elbow. “How was it?”
“Awkward at first, but I’ve been seeing him regularly with the girls. He’s actually a decent bloke. Now he’s teetotal, anyway.” He huffs and turns his attention back to Caleb.
My chest fills with warmth. I remember how much he missed having his dad around, even if he was a waster. “I’m glad things worked out for you.”
“I wouldn’t exactly say that, would you?” He waves a hand in the air and looks down at Caleb covered in ice cream. “Oh, shit.”
“Now you know why I have the bibs.” I giggle and walk around to dig the baby wipes from the bag.
Cal takes the wipes from me and wipes him down, making it fun, causing a giggle from Caleb as he blows creamy bubbles from his mouth, gurgling away. Once Cal’s cleaned him down, he unbuckles him and rests him on his knee, wrapping his large hands around him so he’s propped up against Cal’s chest.