The Single Mums' Picnic Club

by Jennifer Joyce

  ‘Is Isaac your brother?’ Katie asked, and Frankie nodded while she munched on her cupcake. She was no longer hungry, but nibbling the soft sponge gave her something else to concentrate on, something to keep the tears at bay.

  ‘He’s my stepbrother, actually, but we never use the step word usually, and he has an amazing relationship with Mum. The twins adore him. He’s the closest thing they’ll ever have to a father figure.’

  George gave her a knee a pat. ‘I can totally empathise. But you never know what the future will bring. Maybe one day…’

  Frankie almost choked on her cupcake, and she shook her head emphatically until she could speak. ‘Nah. I’m content with being single. I have no plans to start dating again. Although…’

  ‘Yes?’ Katie’s ears pricked up, and she leaned in towards Frankie.

  ‘I sort of ran into that guy from yesterday on the way here. You know the one with the dog?’

  George pursed her lips. ‘How could we forget?’

  ‘Anyway, I ran into him – not literally. There were no injuries this time – and he remembered me. Asked how my knee was.’ Her hand rubbed at the knee, even though it hadn’t caused any problems once she’d rested it. There was a bit of bruising, but nothing major.

  ‘Then what happened?’ George asked.

  Katie’s eyes gleamed. ‘Did he ask you out?’

  Frankie shook her head. ‘No, nothing like that. In fact, he had to run off because the dog slipped his lead again and was heading for a little old man with a walking stick.’ She placed the palms of her hands on her cheeks. ‘But he’s sort of cute, isn’t he?’

  ‘Sort of?’ George tutted. ‘The man’s bloody gorgeous. You need to get hold of his number.’

  Frankie shook her head. ‘I wouldn’t know how to anymore. It’s been a long time since I’ve been in the dating game.’

  ‘Me too.’ Katie grabbed a second lemon drizzle cupcake and tore the wrapper from the sponge. ‘I don’t think I’ll ever be able to face it again.’

  ‘I’m sure you will, when you’re ready.’ George reached across to give Katie’s knee a pat too. ‘You’ve been through a lot. You’re bound to feel jaded by it all.’

  ‘Jaded is an understatement,’ Katie grumbled. ‘Scarred for life would be more accurate.’ Her phone started to vibrate from within her handbag, and she groaned when she saw the name on the display. She shot an apologetic look at her new friends as she shuffled away from the blanket to answer the call.

  ‘I’d better get going soon,’ Frankie said as the phone call behind her started to heat up. ‘I’ve got a deadline coming up, so I need to get back to work.’

  ‘I need to leave soon too.’ George started to clip the lids back down on the food containers. ‘I’m cleaning for a new client this afternoon and I need to drop the picnic bits and bobs back at home and grab my kit. I’m a bit nervous, actually.’ She pressed a hand to her stomach. ‘I was personally recommended by one of my other clients, so I don’t want to let her down.’

  ‘You’ll be great.’ Frankie rested a hand on George’s arm. ‘If you clean half as well as you cook, you won’t have anything to worry about at all.’

  George beamed at her. ‘Thank you. That’s so kind of you to say that.’

  Frankie shrugged. ‘It’s true. This is – hands down – the best picnic I’ve ever been to.’

  George laughed and gave a wave of her hand. ‘Stop it now, you’re making me blush.’

  ‘Sorry, but it really is.’ Frankie shrugged again before she helped George to pack up. Only the blanket was remaining by the time Katie returned with a heavy sigh.

  ‘Everything okay?’ George asked as she lifted two corners of the blanket and gave it a rigorous shake to rid it of sand.

  Katie rolled her eyes. ‘Just the ex.’ She grabbed the opposite corners of the blanket and helped George to fold it. ‘As if I don’t know I have to file the acknowledgement of service. I’m not an imbecile.’

  George rolled the blanket and tucked it under her arm. ‘But you haven’t done it yet?’

  Katie shook her head. ‘I was going to, but…’ She sighed. ‘It sounds really childish saying it out loud, but it’s the one bit of power I have in all this, and I can’t seem to relinquish it. Signing that form, agreeing to this thing, it makes me feel sick.’

  ‘It must be so difficult.’ George draped an arm around Katie’s shoulders. ‘You were together a long time.’

  ‘It sounds like he treated you like dirt to me,’ Frankie said. ‘And now he’s pressuring you?’

  Katie fiddled with the wedding band she still wore. ‘I have been dragging my feet with this…’

  Frankie folded her arms across her chest. ‘So what? It’s nothing less than he deserves. Why should it all be on his terms?’

  Katie nodded, but she didn’t look convinced and continued to slide her thumb back and forth across the back of her wedding ring.

  ‘You must do what’s best for you.’ George gave her shoulder a brief squeeze. ‘You never know, you may feel empowered by signing it. You’re letting him go and forging ahead on a new and brighter future.’

  Katie shoved her hands deep into her coat pockets. ‘It doesn’t feel like it.’

  George patted her arm lightly. ‘It will, one day. You’ll see.’ She picked up the tote bag and hooked it onto her shoulder. ‘I should be going, but it’s been lovely meeting up with you ladies this afternoon.’

  ‘It has.’ Frankie hadn’t realised how isolated she’d felt since choosing to go freelance and working from home. ‘We should do this again.’

  ‘I’ll bring the picnic next time.’ Katie pulled a face. ‘Since I put away most of it.’

  George tsked. ‘You did not. We all had our fair share. Besides, there was plenty to go around. I can’t help going overboard with food.’

  Katie laughed. ‘Feel free to go overboard again. You’ll get no complaints from me.’

  Frankie held up her hands. ‘I wouldn’t dream of grumbling.’ She zipped her coat up fully so it reached her chin. ‘Should we swap numbers, so we can arrange times and places?’

  ‘Good idea.’ George reached into her pocket for her phone, and Frankie and Katie did the same, each saving the contact information for the other two.

  George lifted a hand in farewell as they parted ways on the promenade. ‘See you next time. I’m looking forward to it already!’

  Frankie was too.

  Chapter Ten

  Katie

  Perhaps George was right, and she’d feel empowered by signing the acknowledgement of service. She’d be taking back power, signing that form because she wanted a clean slate. She didn’t have to view the divorce as the end of the life she’d built with Rob over the past twenty-four years; she really should look at it as a new start for her.

  She was feeling so motivated – so inspired – by the time she emerged at the top of the steps leading up to the promenade that she could almost feel the pen in her hand as she envisioned signing the form. And she probably would have done it, would have gone straight out and posted the damn thing, if she hadn’t stumbled upon Jack, his hair sticking up in little peaks where he’d been running his fingers through it, pacing up and down in front of his van.

  ‘I’ll be there as soon as I can, Mrs Hornchurch. Have you managed to find the stopcock? And you’ve turned it off? Excellent. Like I said, I’ll be there as soon as I can.’ Jack ended the call and threw back his head, squeezing his eyes shut tight.

  ‘Everything okay?’ Katie could have kicked herself. Of course everything wasn’t okay. This was not the pose of a man whose life was currently hunky dory. ‘Anything I can do to help?’

  Jack opened his eyes and pressed the palms of his hands together. ‘Is there any chance you have secret plumbing skills?’

  Katie barked out a laugh. ‘As if. But you do, so what’s the problem?’

  ‘The pipes behind Mrs Hornchurch’s kitchen units, apparently.’ Jack opened the van’s door and unclasped his daugh
ter from her car seat. ‘Her kitchen’s flooded, and it seems to be coming from behind her crockery cupboard. She’s phoned five plumbers so far, but nobody’s free until at least seven this evening. She sounds like a sweet old lady, and I don’t want to say no, but I have Vevie this afternoon. The childminder isn’t well and Anita – my ex-wife – can’t get out of work. I didn’t have any bookings this afternoon, so it didn’t really matter until Mrs Hornchurch called in a flap.’ He lifted his daughter from the van and rested her on his hip. ‘I’ve tried my mum and sister, but neither can get away…’ His phone started to ring from his jeans pocket, and he closed his eyes briefly after seeing the caller details. ‘It’s Mrs Hornchurch again.’

  Katie lifted her hand up as his thumb hovered over the answer button. ‘Wait! I’ll do it!’

  Jack frowned at Katie. ‘You’ll find what’s causing Mrs Hornchurch’s leak and repair it?’

  Katie tutted and took the child from his arms. ‘No, you great dumpling. I’ll look after Vevie while you go and do all that plumber stuff.’

  Jack’s thumb was still hovering over the answer button. ‘Are you sure?’

  ‘Of course. We’ll have fun, won’t we, sweetie?’ Katie stuck her tongue out at the little girl and she giggled as though it was the funniest thing ever. ‘See?’

  Jack’s gaze flicked briefly to the screen of his phone. ‘I could be gone a while.’

  Katie shrugged. ‘That’s fine.’

  ‘And Leo and Ellie…’

  ‘I think I can just about remember the way to the school.’ She pointed at the still-ringing phone. ‘Just make sure you give the school a quick call to let them know it’ll be me picking them up.’

  ‘Will do. You’re a star.’ Jack grinned at her before he accepted the call. ‘Mrs Hornchurch? Good news…’

  ‘I am a star,’ Katie whispered to the little girl, and she giggled again. This was the easiest gig Katie had ever had. If only Elliot and Lizzie were still so easily amused. ‘Shall we go inside? It’s a bit nippy out here, isn’t it?’

  Jack popped into the house once he’d delivered the good news to Mrs Hornchurch, so he could drop off the buggy, the nappy changing bag, and a lidded beaker, and to say goodbye to his daughter and thank Katie – repeatedly.

  Katie and her temporary charge spent the afternoon colouring (or rather, Katie coloured while trying to prevent the toddler from snacking on the crayons), playing music with impromptu instruments Katie found around the house (a couple of saucepans and a wooden spoon and plastic ladle for beaters), and finishing off with a bit of CBeebies. Soon it was time to get bundled up in hats and coats and head to school, and it was only as they passed the post box halfway there that she remembered the acknowledgement of service, which was still to be signed.

  It seemed like a million years ago that she’d walked through the school gates of Southcliff Primary, but the school hadn’t changed much over the past couple of years, apart from a new wooden play area in the early years’ section of the playground and a brightly painted mural at the entrance. Katie made her way to the doors where the reception children would file out, joining the group waiting for their charges. The teacher stepped out of the door, keeping it open with his shoulder as he called out the names of the children whose parent or caregiver were waiting to collect them. Katie held back, waiting until he’d stopped calling out names until she stepped forward.

  ‘Excuse me? I’m here to pick up Ellie Benson. I’m her next-door neighbour. Her dad was called out on an emergency. A plumbing emergency. Not medical.’ Katie pressed her lips together. She was babbling and had to stop before she rattled off her entire life story.

  ‘Ellie Benson?’ The teacher looked behind him, back into the classroom. ‘Could you wait there for a second?’

  ‘Sure,’ Katie said, but he’d already ducked back inside, the door clicking shut behind him. The wind had started to pick up and it was starting to drizzle with rain, so she stooped to make sure her new little friend’s blanket was still tucked in and her hat was pulled down over her ears.

  ‘Sorry about the wait.’ The door had opened again, and the teacher was back. Unfortunately, he didn’t have Ellie with him. ‘I just had to check we’d been given permission to let Ellie go home with someone not on our list.’ He pulled a face. ‘And I’m afraid we haven’t.’

  ‘Jack hasn’t called? But I reminded him!’

  The teacher pulled the face again. ‘I’ve asked the office to call Ellie’s dad, just to confirm. Would you like to come inside while you wait?’ He looked out at the sky, which had turned an ominous shade of grey. The drizzle was on the verge of upgrading to a downpour.

  ‘Thank you.’ The teacher held the door open while she pushed the buggy into the classroom.

  ‘No problem. Sorry about this, but we have to be sure…’

  ‘It’s okay. I understand.’ Katie would throttle Jack later though.

  ‘Take a seat.’ The teacher indicated one of the tiny plastic chairs. Was he having a laugh? But, not wanting to appear awkward, she eased herself onto the miniature seat. There were only three children left in the classroom, who were waiting on the carpet area. One of them was Ellie, who waved when she spotted Katie.

  See? Katie wanted to say. She does know me. I’m not some nutter who’s come to snatch her and her brother.

  Oh, God. Leo!

  ‘Excuse me, Mr…’ Katie cringed. She had no idea who this teacher was as he hadn’t been on the staff when Lizzie and Elliot were at Southcliff Primary. He probably hadn’t sat his GCSEs by then, Katie mused. He only looked to be in his early twenties. Mid-twenties at a push.

  ‘Thompson.’ He smiled, and the finest lines appeared at the corners of his eyes. Perhaps he wasn’t as young as he appeared at first glance. ‘Mr Thompson.’

  ‘I’m supposed to be picking Ellie’s brother up too. Leo. He’s in Year One.’

  ‘Leo’s in Miss Baxter’s class,’ Ellie said. She was still sitting on the carpet, but she was up on her knees now.

  ‘That’s fine. We’ll let Miss Baxter know the situation. It won’t be a problem.’

  ‘Mr Thompson?’ Ellie had her hand up in the air, stretching it up as far as she could, her fingers waggling. ‘Katie lives next door to me.’

  See? Not a nutter.

  ‘Mr Thompson?’ Ellie waved her hand frantically before he could respond to her previous statement. ‘Can Vevie come and sit on the carpet with me, Jenson and Rose?’

  ‘Not just now, Ellie.’ Mr Thompson headed towards the door leading out into the corridor as it opened. He had a murmured conversation with the woman before he turned to Katie with a bright smile. ‘Good news: we’ve managed to get hold of Ellie’s dad, and he’s confirmed that he asked you to pick up Ellie and Leo. He meant to call, but it slipped his mind.’ He shrugged, while Katie smiled tightly. Her hands would slip around Jack’s throat later… ‘So, Miss Baxter is going to bring Leo here in a moment to save you going over to her classroom at the other end of the playground. Hopefully that rain has stopped by now…’ He peered out of the window and pulled a face. It was still pouring down. ‘Have you got everything ready, Ellie? You’ll need to put your hood up.’

  Leo soon arrived in the reception class, so after Katie had ensured all the children were bundled up, they made a dash for it. She managed to keep the little ones entertained until Jack arrived an hour later, apologising profusely for the blunder.

  ‘I felt like a criminal as I sat on that tiny chair.’ Katie jutted her chin in the air with indignation, but her fingers were no longer itching to circle around her neighbour’s neck. ‘I’m sure that teacher thought I was a child-snatcher.’

  ‘I’m sure he didn’t but let me make it up to you.’ Jack handed Leo his coat. ‘Let me take you for a drink? To say thank you for watching the kids, and for my screw up.’

  ‘You don’t have to do that.’ Katie crouched to help Ellie zip up her coat. ‘I’m just returning the favour after the boiler repair. You saved me a fortune and prev
ented us turning into human ice pops.’

  ‘I insist. When are you free?’

  Katie slipped Ellie’s hat on. They were only going next door, but it was still pouring with rain.

  ‘The kids are staying with their dad on Friday night…’

  ‘Great.’ Jack clapped his hands together. ‘My lot will be with their mum, so that’s perfect. I’ll pick you up at seven?’

  Katie shrugged. ‘Why not?’ It had been ages since she’d been for a drink; it must have been before Rob left. It was about time she got her life back on track.

  ‘I’ll see you on Friday then.’ Jack ushered Leo and Ellie out into the hallway and followed them with the buggy. It was only as Katie was waving them off on the doorstep that it occurred to her.

  This wasn’t a date, was it?

  Chapter Eleven

  Frankie

  Frankie eased the bedroom door closed and backed away, slowly, carefully, controlling each breath so she made as little noise as possible as she moved along the hallway towards the stairs. Luckily, the house was so familiar she could navigate it blindfolded, even missing the third step down the staircase as it creaked so loudly it may as well have been screaming ‘Come quickly! There’s someone on the stairs!’ into a megaphone. She avoided the stair as she moved down to the ground floor at a cautious pace, her hand hovering just above the handrail so she didn’t accidentally make a friction-induced sound.

  ‘She asleep?’

  Frankie had been concentrating so hard on not making a sound that the sudden noise made her jump. Pressing one hand to her mouth, the other reached out to whack her brother on the arm.

  ‘Jeez, Isaac,’ she hissed as she dragged him into the kitchen and gently closed the door behind them. ‘What are you sneaking around for?’

  ‘Me?’ Isaac snorted as he moved towards the counter. ‘You were the one tiptoeing.’

  ‘I was trying not to wake Mum.’

  ‘So she is asleep then.’ Isaac flicked on the kettle before turning back to Frankie. ‘Did she remember anything else about the fall? Did she trip? Black out?’