The Nanny Part 58

Josh, meanwhile, sat watching the living room television while sorting out his latest bank statement. Vanessa and d.i.c.k were driving to Brighton for a day trip alone, and he'd happily said he'd baby-sit. He was using the opportunity to sort through his accounts, a job he did religiously, every single time he remembered. For an accountant, his own personal accounts were in rather a state.

After an hour, he realized he'd left some receipts in his room. He knew that Pippa had arrived and had heard the shower going and the kettle boiling, so he was fairly sure Jo was up. He wandered through her room, nodding briefly to Pippa as he did so and glancing at Jo's rucksack and the boxes which had crept into his room.

"Sorry," Jo said stiffly. "We'll move everything if it's a problem. It was just easier."

"No problem," he told Pippa, before striding out.

Jo looked over at Pippa.

"See?" she said.

Josh shut the living room door behind him and continued with his accounts. The predictability of sums always calmed his mind. Just when he realized he was hungry, Toby poked his head round the living room door. He coughed slightly, and Josh turned to him.

"Alright, mate?"

"Yeah."

Toby came and sat down.

Josh turned off the TV and his calculator. "What's on your mind?"

"What do you get a girlfriend for an anniversary?" Toby tried to look cool.

Josh frowned. "How long have you been seeing her?"

"Two months."

"Blimey, mate, in teenage time you're married."

A look of panic flew across Toby's face.

"Joke. What do you want the present to say?"

Toby shrugged.

"What are her hobbies?"

Toby shrugged.

"What does she like to buy?"

Toby shrugged.

"What were you thinking of buying her?"

Toby shrugged.

Josh nodded slowly. "I see you've thought this all through."

"Clothes?" ventured Toby.

"Too risky."

"Makeup?"

"Too insulting."

"Condoms?"

"What?"

"Joke."

They thought for a while, before saying at the same time, "Flowers."

"Universal language, mate," explained Josh.

"Yeah." Toby grinned knowingly.

"For 'I give up.'"

Toby snorted into a laugh that danced recklessly around the octaves, and Josh decided it was the perfect time to say something that had been on his mind for so long now it had made an imprint.

"Tobe. Are you happy at school?"

Another snort.

"Do you remember me when I was at school?" he continued.

"Yeah, you had to wear a poxy uniform that made you look like an 'idgit.'"

"Do you know why I had a uniform like that?"

"'Cos of the school you went to. Stupid."

"Yeah, and do you know why my school is different from yours?"

"Yeah, course. Mum and Dad had to pay money for yours."

"That's right."

Toby waited.

"Do you mind about that?" asked Josh. "That Mum and Dad sent me to a private school that pushed me hard to achieve good grades? And they sent you to the local comprehensive?"

He watched Toby mull the question for a bit.

"Did you enjoy school?" Toby asked him eventually.

"No."

"Do you like your job?"

"No. Hate it."

Toby shrugged. "Nah. I don't mind that you got the raw deal. Besides, I wouldn't have met Anastasia if I'd gone to a lame private school in that budgit uniform."

Josh felt his shoulders lighten.

"Josh," mumbled Toby.

"Mm?"

Toby took a deep breath and proceeded to speak in staccato phrases. "I'm sorry...I said...you thought Jo was a babe. I wasn't...trying to p.i.s.s you off."

"It's alright."

"I didn't know you didn't want me to say it."

"It's alright."

Toby frowned. "I just thought...it was funny."

"Mate. It's alright. But sometimes you have to think how other people feel before opening your mouth. It's called empathy. Kicks in after adolescence and-" he stopped midsentence.

"You alright?" asked Toby.

"Mmhm," said Josh quietly, motionless.

"Right," said Toby. "I'll be off then."

Josh looked up, as if from a trance.

"Answer me one thing," Josh said.

"Mm."

"Are you too old for a hug?"

"Yeah, p.i.s.s off," retorted Toby. "I mean-sorry-"

"Stop apologizing. It's weird."

"Right." After a moment, Toby sauntered out of the room, whistling.

Josh flicked on the television and stared at it.

When the door opened again, he spoke without looking round.

"It's too late for a hug now," he said. "Should have had it when it was offered."

"Thank G.o.d for that," said Pippa.

Josh swung round. "Oh s.h.i.+t," he said. "I thought you were Toby."

"No worries," said Pippa as she came and sat near him. They watched television for a while in silence, Josh seemingly engrossed. Eventually Pippa spoke.

"You like bowls, do you?" she asked.

Josh stared at the screen. "How's the packing going?"

"Fine."

"Good."

"Actually," said Pippa slowly. "It's not going as well as it might."

Josh nodded, eyes still on the screen.

"Between you and me," said Pippa slowly, "I think Jo's very upset to be leaving."

Josh gave a little shrug and spoke into his chest. "Then she doesn't need to leave, does she?"

"I think she's just upset generally, actually."

"Really?" he turned round. "Worrying about which bloke to dangle on the longest piece of string today?"

"No," said Pippa. "Just worrying about one bloke."

Josh turned back to the bowls. "Poor b.a.s.t.a.r.d," he muttered.

"Actually," muttered Pippa, "this one's a bit of a d.i.c.k-head."

Josh crossed his arm. "Funnily enough that doesn't narrow it down enough for me. Could be either of them."

"Who do you mean?"

With a heavy sigh, Josh turned the television to mute. "Well, she obviously can't decide between the charms of PC Plod and the double-crossing excuses from Ex-Man."

Pippa let out a sharp laugh. "She's been trying to get rid of PC Plod since she met him. He just wouldn't take the hint."

"That's not what it looked like from where I was sitting."

"Well maybe your seats were restricted view," she shot back, watching the television.

Josh was silent.

"Anyway last night she finally got it through his thick skull. She spent most of the night celebrating. Wow!" she cried at the TV. "That was a good one. It does grow on you, doesn't it. Bowls?"