personal best || harry styles au

six

Carmel plonked down the last platter of sandwiches onto the counter of the Village Hall, letting out a sigh as she did. She couldn't remember the last time she'd had to make enough sandwiches to feed a whole class of children - as well as whip up a last-minute birthday cake for Edie because Maddie had cancelled Josh's baking services.
"'s'all looks amazing, Carm." Harry popped one of the cheese finger sandwiches in his mouth, "Tastes amazing, too."
"Oi!" Carmel swiped Harry's arm, "'ve not slaved away making these for you, young man. These are for ya daughter, for goodness sake. I've made you your own packed lunch, 's in my bag. Over there."
"You haven't?" A wide smile spread across Harry's lips as he wrapped his arm around Carmel's shoulders, giving her a gentle squeeze, "Woman after me own heart."
Edie appeared in the kitchen doorway, holding a bouquet of flowers that seemed almost as big as her. She wobbled over to Carmel, lifting the coronation up so it could be taken off of her. "These are from me and Mummy to say thank you." Edie turned back to the doorway which Maddie was now standing in, looking rather sheepish; Maddie nodded for Edie to continue. "Mummy said you're a lifesaver and she doesn't know what she'd do without you."
"Oh, sweetheart." Carmel took the bunch of flowers from Edie, giving them an exaggerated sniff, "Beautiful flowers from two beautiful girls - thank you, my darlings. The pleasure's all mine."
"Right," Harry clapped his hands together, "'m gonna start setting up the tables."
Maddie reached out for Harry's hand as he walked past her, "Can I speak to you quickly?" She let go of his hand after he'd nodded, already missing the way her fingers felt against his.
***
"What d'ya mean 'you told her'? We were sposed t'do that together, Mad. That was the plan."
"I'm sorry but- but after what happened with Josh- I- I knew Edie knew and then she asked me if you were her dad, so I said yes."
"I just- just wish I could've been there." A pang of disappointment plucked at Harry's chest, "I feel like- like everything that's left to share with her is just- just being taken from me."
"Come to her school Nativity."
"What?"
"It's her first ever school Nativity on the 17th. They're performing at the local church and Edie's super excited - she's been cast as 'The Star' and she's so pleased with herself."
"Really? Is that okay?"
"You're her dad, Harry." Maddie gave him a little nudge, "School productions are part of the job."
***
Before today, the walls of the Village Hall had never been subjected to such huge amounts of noise; the over-60 Bingo Club was usually the height of volume in the weekly schedule, not a class of thirty Reception children (and some of their parents).
"Harry, y'gotta come and save me, man; I can't dance along to 'Baby Shark' anymore." Ru jumped up onto one of the kitchen counters, sliding his bum back so he could lean against the wall, "Who even chooses a career of 'Child Entertainer'? You've gotta applaud them."
"Oh, absolutely."
"How you feeling then, mate? Honestly."
Harry put down the finger sandwiches he was arranging, "Yeah, 'm alright." He looked down at the platter he'd been working on, annoyed that there was one more ham sandwich than any of the others.
"You sure? Been a funny few days so I wanted to make sure you're okay."
"Thanks, mate but I'm- 'm okay." Harry wasn't okay but he didn't feel like talking about it; he knew Ru knew this too and was grateful that Ru moved onto a different topic of conversation.
"So, I'm stumped on what to buy Jac for Christmas."
"What 'ave ya thought of so far?"
"...socks."
"Right... anything else?"
"...a mug?"
"My God, Ru." Harry slapped his hand against his forehead, "This is your what- twelfth? - Christmas together-"
"-technically, eleventh-"
"-hark at you two, out here hiding away." Jacqui walked into the kitchen, "What are you even doing back here? Harry, we've been waiting on that platter for almost twenty minutes now."
"Sorry, Jac." Harry picked up the platter, flicking off the rogue ham sandwich, "Your bloody boyfriend here was talking me ear off."
***
Maddie had lost count of how long she'd spent sweeping up glitter and confetti from off of the floor but it felt like an absolute eternity; she was enjoying watching Edie run around the now-empty room, giggling at the balloon that was tied around her small wrist.
"I'll take over, if you want?" Harry put his hand on top of Maddie's, "Sweeping is actually one of my many talents, in case you didn't know."
"Well, I never would've guessed that." Maddie let go of the broom, "What other talents can I expect?"
"You'll have to wait and see, 'm afraid."
Maddie watched as the muscles in Harry's upper arms flexed as he pushed the broom against the floor; she felt a warm heat spread across her cheeks as her eyes met Harry's and she realised he'd noticed her looking at him.
***
"Right, that's that all done for a year. I am shattered." Carmel turned the key on the lock of the Village Hall, slipping the key into her pocket and patting it for safe-keeping. "I'll make sure to drop this back to Ted on me way home, alright?"
"Thanks, Carmel, you've honestly been such a life-saver today, couldn't have imagined doing this with you." Maddie lifted Edie up onto her hip, "And I know, this little one has had an amazing day too. Isn't that right, Edes?"
"Mummy said I can have a slice of birthday cake for breakfast tomorrow."
"Well, I'm glad you liked it." Carmel booped Edie softly on the nose, "Wouldn't make such a nice cake for just anyone, would I?
Carmel gave a quick wave to everyone before shuffling over to her much-loved, and very beaten-up orange, VW beetle; the engine churned and clunked as she pulled out of the car park.
"Right, I'll be off too." Harry tucked his hands into the pockets of his coat, "Hope you've had a good birthday, Edes."
"Do you want to come back to ours? Edie's gonna open her presents and Jac and Ru are already on their way to pick up the pizzas." Maddie switched Edie onto her other hip, "You're more than welcome to come along."
"I'd love to but 've- 've got some calls and some other work bits that I need to tend to." Harry tried to ignore the pang in his chest that Maddie's face had given him; he hated feeling like a disappointment but he knew that he wouldn't be good company. He'd completely gotten into his own head about everything, "'m really sorry."
"Hey, it's okay." Maddie forced out a smile, "We'll see you tomorrow, maybe?"
"Yeah- yeah, I'll text you."
Harry gave both Maddie and Edie a half-hearted wave before walking out of sight.