The Pledge Chapter 8c

“Five minutes?” Alex was fascinated.

“Yep!” Robert laughed. “You were a little wriggler and by gum could you screech when you were hungry! We have a picture of you on a motorbike.”

“Whoa!” Alex was hugely impressed. “By myself?”

“No, you were down the front of your dad's jacket.” Robert nodded at Jack. Alex beamed all over the place and Jack couldn't help but smile at the memories, and his son's obvious delight. “He wasn't allowed to start it though. Oh no. Your mum would have slapped him silly. They're all just there waiting for you to see! We have boxes full of ... of ...” Robert's voice trailed off and he glanced at his wife, then at Jack. “Where did he get that?” Jack leant forward to see.

“Oh that. It was a present.” Ziggy's talisman. “You can get all sorts of bits and bobs like that round here.”

“It's not very trendy, is it?” Robert said and Jack almost choked. Robert was as straight-laced as they come! He wouldn't know 'trendy' if it got up and danced with him. “You look like a hippie!”

“It's magic.” Alex said eagerly and Jack groaned inwardly.

“Is it now?” Robert rose his eyebrows. “I'm surprised at you, Jack.”

“Ah well Alex likes it.” Jack shrugged casually. “So, Alex! You think you'd like to start spending time with granda and grandma?”

“Yes I'd like that.” Alex nodded and Jack almost collapsed with relief. “And you too dad?”

“Well we'll all be in touch again, which is good.” Jack deflected.

“We could go on a picnic tomorrow and you could stay over.” Joan nodded eagerly. “We have a bed with a den under it especially for you.”

“Oo! Cool! Gary has a bed at his nana's but I bet mine's better. Can I phone him, dad? Please?” Alex hopped from one foot to the other.

“Use the phone in the kitchen.” Jack said and Alex ran out.

“Not too difficult, was it?” Robert said to Jack and it irritated him.

“I never thought it would be. It was the decision behind it that was difficult. Now can we stop with the digs, please?”

“He's our only family, Jack. Our daughter's only child.”

“Robert I know.” Jack was close to tears of sheer stress. “I'm not saying anything different. I agree with you. What's bugging you? Something obviously is.”

“I think you know.”

“For god's sake.” Jack heaved. “I'm not even going to get into that again, Robert. I can't help how you think. Alex likes Ziggy a great deal so there's a good chance he'll mention her. It's good to know that would never lower yourselves to badmouth her to him. He is only seven, afterall.” He couldn't believe how childish all this was.

“Threatening us?” Joan commented.

“Looking after my son, Joan.” Jack said flatly. “And speaking of threats, if you ever have my house watched again I'll kick up so much stink that they'll smell it in Canada. I can't believe you did that Robert.”

“We just needed to know the people coming here were safe for Alex.” Joan said and Jack almost hit the roof.

“This is my bloody house Joan! And he's my son! It isn't your business to say who's safe and who isn't. Look, we've done all this.” Jack rubbed his eyes. “We're going to have to agree to disagree. You don't like her, or the position she has in my life. That's just tough. Sorry. I won't let you invade my private life when it isn't relevant. The communication channels with Alex are open again and that's what everyone wanted, yes?”

“Yes.” Joan nodded. “Come on Robert, we have a bedroom to air out.”