The Affectionate Player - Part1 (Editing Chapters 32-34)

Chapter 15

Can this get any worse...

We'd spent a fun-filled weekend together with Ailsa taking me shopping but mostly we'd ate, drank and laughed until my ribs begged for reprieve. Having kissed my best friend goodbye this morning I reach Fortrose at midday finding the Jacob's and Campbell's setting up a barbecue.

"Hello there," Gil shouts as I climb from the car. "We're going to have some lunch before you have to set off on that long drive. The kids are still here. Come on in." Taking my hand he leads me to the rear of the house.

"Gwacie!" Monty yells, running towards me and reaching down I lift him into my arms.

"Hey, my gorgeous wee man." I smile from ear to ear at his welcome completely forgetting we're supposed to have met on Friday and casting my eyes to my mum I can tell her interest in my reaction to Max's son is keener than most.

"Pay ball, Gwacie!" he demands, wriggling from my grip.

"Oh, Monty. I'm not very good but I'll have a go." I make my way to where the kids are playing, blowing my mum a kiss as I pass her curious glare.

"You look well, Gracie," Josh compliments when I join in the game. "Did you enjoy your weekend?"

"Yes thanks, I did. I'm just here to pick up my parents but Gil has insisted we eat before we leave so it looks like I'm your guest again."

"That's Granny Mac's doing. She told Gil on Friday he had to plan a meal for us all before you left. She's inside now with your dad and Max, likely reading their tea leaves!"

"Ah. I see." The penny drops. Good old Granny Mac, determined as ever to provide opportunity to sort out her grandson.

"Gwandpa," Monty shouts to Gil. "Gwandpa, want to go on boat!" Gil raises the little boy on his shoulders and races around the garden.

"Boat Gwandpa, boat!"

"No, Monty. Grandpa will get sea sick," Gil answers, quietly embarrassed.

"I'll take him out," Josh offers. "I'll take the girls too. Gracie, would you like to join us?"

"Yea, sounds good. Do you know how to row?"

"Are you taking the preverbial?" he asks, jokingly. "I could have rowed for Oxford, I was that good in my day!" With that, we begin trying on the lifejackets that appear to have been set out for today's activities.

"What's going on?" Max asks from behind, startling me.

"I'm taking the kids out. Gracie's coming too. Brave girl!" Josh grins.

"I don't know Josh. I think he's a bit too young." But as Max continues to say no, Monty begins to cry.

"Boat daddy, peeze." Seeing his son so upset clearly puts Max in a spin and desperate to please him, he begins to back down.

"He'll be fine, Max. You haven't had a break all weekend. Grab a beer and chill out with your dad. We'll look after him, won't we Gracie?"

"Of course," I say, unable to meet Max's eyes.

"Well, OK. Maybe for ten minutes but that's it. He'll probably get sea sick like da as soon as you start rowing."

Five minutes later we're all aboard and casting off. The rowing is slow to start but once Josh finds his rhythm we soon gain pace. The kids are laughing together and splashing one another from a rain puddle in the boat, and as Monty begins to sing we all join in.

Within a few minutes though I begin to feel chilled and as I turn to see how far we are from the jetty, I see Max waving and determine we're quite far out. Ashore it had been calm with a gentle sea breeze but out on the water I realise it had been somewhat deceiving, and the further we row from shore the more I feel exposed to the elements.