Page 70 of How To Tackle A Crush
Jack glances at me over Alfie’s head, that same quiet appreciation in his expression.
“Did you know,” Alfie continues, warming to his subject, “that T-Rex could smell things from very far away?”
“That would make sense,” I say. “Very useful if you are a large predator.”
Alfie nods like we are colleagues.
Miriam nudges the broccoli closer again. “One bite.”
Alfie sighs like a tiny Victorian orphan, eats it, then immediately resumes his dinosaur briefing like nothing happened.
Jack just watches, elbow on the table, his attention moving between his son and me.
Eventually Alfie remembers pudding exists and Miriam takes him off to locate something sweet she clearly planned in advance.
That leaves just the two of us for a moment.
“You’re very good with him,” Jack says quietly.
“I like children,” I say. “They’re usually easier to read than adults.”
“That’s also true.”
I hesitate, then ask, “So you’re staying here with them?”
He nods. “Yeah. We’re making it a long weekend so I can stay and take him to the museum Sunday.”
“The club is okay with that?”
“They knew that was part of the deal when I signed,” he says. “I do the match, I do the debrief, and then Nico or Dave takes the coach back with the lads.”
“And if you lose?”
He looks at me with exaggerated disbelief.
“Ifwe lose?”
I try not to smile. “I am just considering all possible professional outcomes.”
“That sounds very much like you’re planning for defeat.”
“I am being realistic.”
“Have some believe,” he says.
“I am still a Carlisle Gazette employee. Realism is part of the job description.”
That earns a quiet laugh.
“No,” he says more seriously. “Result doesn’t change it. I’ll do the analysis after the match anyway. Most of them will sleep on the way back. Recovery day Sunday. I can join them again Monday.”
There’s something very grounded about the way he says it. No drama. Just priorities arranged in the right order.
Before I can say anything else, Alfie comes back into the room holding a muesli bar like he’s just completed a successful expedition.
“I found one.”
“Well done,” Jack says.
