Page 105 of How To Tackle A Crush
“Yes.”
“Why Gary?”
He shrugs. “Because he looks like Gary, Grampy’s plumber friend.”
I nod solemnly. “Fair.”
Jack laughs quietly behind us.
“You’re encouraging this,” he says.
“I think Gary is an excellent name for a Triceratops,” I reply.
Alfie beams.
“If we want to see the Diplodocus in the Evolution Garden before we have to head to Euston,” Jack says, checking his watch, “we need to go now.”
Alfie jumps up immediately.
“I’m ready.”
I remain exactly where I am and hold both hands up towards Jack.
He looks at me.
I look at him.
He sighs. “You’re forty-three, not ninety.”
“I am in my forties,” I repeat, wiggling my fingers. “Which means getting up off museum floors now requires assistance.”
He laughs but takes my hands anyway, pulling me up in one smooth movement that leaves me slightly closer to him than necessary.
“Thank you,” I say.
“You’re welcome, pensioner.”
“Careful,” I warn. “I know things about dinosaurs.”
Alfie is already heading towards the exit when someone approaches Jack.
“Sorry,” the woman says politely. “Would you mind a quick selfie?”
Jack immediately turns into that public version of himself. Kind. Patient. Used to this.
“Of course.”
Alfie instinctively moves closer to me, half hiding behind my legs. Not scared. Just quietly retreating the way shy children do when strangers appear.
Without thinking I rest my hand lightly on his shoulder. He relaxes instantly.
Jack crouches slightly so the woman can take the picture. Afterward she smiles.
“Thank you. I’m Bharine by the way. I’m the operations manager here.”
She gives me a friendly, knowing smile, her gaze briefly taking in the three of us together. I feel heat creep into my cheeks and give her a small, polite smile back.
“Well,” she says to Jack, “if you ever wanted to do a private viewing outside opening hours, do let us know. We sometimes arrange those.”
