Right Place Wrong Time

chapter 17

I walked up and down the aisles, dropping random items into my basket without really looking or caring. I went down the alcohol aisle to try and find something for my mum’s birthday.

“Tia!” a small voice came from behind me, I spun round to see Grace standing behind me.

“Grace!” I smiled, “how are you?”

“I’m well thank you, this must be Theo!” I looked down at Theo; fast asleep in the pram I was pushing, as if he could understand, his eyes blinked open and tears started pouring from them. Grace plucked him from the pram and laid him on his front, rocking him gently in her arms, almost instantly the screams stopped.

“Wow!” I spoke in awe, “nobody can ever shut him up!”

“Same as our Matt was.” She said absent mindedly, “I miss having you around the house.”

I paused, unable to reply. I wasn’t sure how much Matt had told her so I was conscious not to over step the mark. I spoke the only way I could; honestly.

“I miss it too.”

“Anything you ever need,” Grace said quietly, laying her small hand on my arm, “you know where to find me.”

I smiled and nodded as she walked away. I paid for the shopping and drove home. As I walked in I heard Jacob’s voice, shouting at the TV. I picked Theo out of the pram and walked into the living room to see Alex and Jacob on the play station, groans and cheers came from each of them as virtual goals were scored or missed.

“Hey Tia!” Alex called without even looking up.

“Hey, do you boys want a drink?”

“Tea please.” They called in unison.

I wandered into the kitchen and put the kettle on, I was leaning over the sink when I felt Jacob’s arms wrap around my waist; I turned and allowed him to press our bodies together.

“Hey you.” He whispered, his eyes staring softly into mine.

“Have I been replaced?”

“Huh?”

“Looks like Alex is your new favourite.” I joked

“I can’t hide it any more, it’s always been Alex.” He winked back.

“Can we go out tonight?”

“Yeah sure, where?”

“Anywhere.”

“Ok, leave it with me.”

I did leave it to him, and a few hours later I got a text;

From: Jacob

Hey you. Meet me at the pier in an hour, I have a surprise x

A surprise? I’ve never been a particular fan of surprises but nevertheless I got changed and drove down to the pier. I saw his silhouette looming under the bridge. I ran up behind him and jumped on his back, placing kisses up his neck as I did so.

“Hey you,” he whispered, taking hold of my upper thighs and resting his head against mine, “you ready?”

“Depends what we’re doing I suppose!” I replied.

“You’ll see.” He said, running down the beach with me still on his back.

Jacob stopped in front of two worn out donkeys, connected by leads to two teenaged boys. Donkeys. This was my surprise?

“Umm lovely.” I said, trying not to sound as disappointed as I felt.

“Not the Donkeys you dope,” he laughed, “look behind them!”

I peered over his shoulder and squinted to make out two vehicles sat on the sand.

“Are you serious?” I laughed, considerably more excited than before.

“Yep, my dad’s dune buggies, he said we could borrow them, as long as you don’t break it.”

“Me?” I gasped, “Honey I was riding quad bikes before I could walk.”

“Yeah?”

I nodded before sprinting towards the buggy, sliding the helmet over my head and sliding into the seat of the buggy. I gripped the steering wheel and pressed down hard on the accelerator. We rode around the beach for about two hours, racing up and down along the water front and up over the sandy mounds. I forgot about everything, a smile spread across my face which for once wasn’t fake. I let my brain shut out and the thrills take over, enjoying the seemingly endless freedom. For the first time in ages I felt happy.