Short story: Who Dares Wins

Seizing the moment was easier said than done, but then what did Adam really have to lose?

She’s pretty, Dad, the lady you keep smiling at – Carrie’s mum.’

‘Ssh, Leo, or she’ll hear you! Since you’ve been taking drama, your voice is really travelling.’

Did Leo’s confidence really need the boost drama gave him? Sometimes, like now, it was a mixed blessing. They’d decided he’d give the classes a go when he didn’t seem to be making many friends at his new school.

‘But, Dad, I just think she’s your type.’

‘I haven’t got a “type”, Leo.’ Leo was right, though – she was pretty. Blonde hair framed her face and, when she smiled, there were tiny crinkles around her eyes.

They’d chatted briefly when they’d sat next to one another at the school performance. Her daughter Carrie was in Leo’s class.

Leo, only on stage for a moment or two, had given his dad a forbidden grin. Carrie’s mum had giggled. ‘Take no notice of my son,’ he’d whispered, embarrassed.

‘That takes spirit,’ she’d replied. ‘I hope the drama teacher doesn’t catch him, though. She takes school performances very seriously!’

More recently, Adam and Leo had taken to going for coffee and a cake after Leo’s guitar lesson on a Saturday morning. This

was the first time he’d seen Carrie’s mum there, too.

Adam and Leo had only moved here a few months ago. Leo’s mum had passed away when he was tiny. They’d stayed put for a few years, Adam needing the support of local friends and family. But then the perfect job came up 50 miles away, and Adam decided they were ready for a fresh start.

So far, so good. Adam loved his job and Leo liked his new school, although he still hadn’t asked anyone round for tea yet. Adam hoped that would come.

He fancied another coffee, and glanced around to attract the attention of the waitress.

Did Carrie’s mum just smile at him? Adam felt himself blush.

She was on her own, sitting in a window seat, apparently watching the world go by.

‘Carrie does taekwondo on a Saturday,’ Leo said.

‘Indoor voice, Leo, please,’ Adam said, embarrassed.

‘Why don’t you ask her to come and sit with us?’

‘Why would she want to do that, Leo? She’s enjoying precious time on her own.’

‘She might be lonely,’ Leo replied. ‘Carrie says her parents are divorced.’

Adam didn’t dare ask what Leo had told Carrie in return about him…

‘Go on, Dad, what’s the worst that can happen? You know what you always tell me: “Who dares wins”!’

True. He was only asking her to join them for coffee.

‘OK, but you have to come with me.’

‘Cool. But you go over first.’

Adam was halfway across the café before he realised

Did Carrie’s

mum just smile at him?

Adam felt himself blush

that Leo had stayed exactly where he was.

He was only with Carrie’s mum for a minute or so before returning to his seat. As he did, she left some coins on the table and dashed from the café.

‘What did you say to her, Dad? Did you scare her off?’

‘All I can say is you’re a lousy wingman, son.’

‘Figured you were big

enough to fight your own battles, Dad. We’ll approach it differently next time.’

Their walk home took them through the park.

‘Hey, Leo!’ a boy doing wheelies on his bike called over.

‘Hey, Paul!’ Leo replied, his voice nowhere near as loud as it had been in the café.

‘Who’s that?’ Adam asked. ‘He’s a kid in my class, Dad. He’s cool. And funny.’

‘You know what I’m going to say, don’t you, Leo?’

‘It’s not the same, Dad.’ ‘Really?’

His son shrugged and kicked the ground. The boy was still cycling in circles and glancing over at them, smiling at Leo.

‘Come on, then, I’ll be your wingman. But only because you’re 9 years old.

You have to fly solo when you’re a grown-up.’

Leo gave his dad what Adam interpreted as a sceptical look.

It only took a minute for Leo and Paul to sort out a day for him to come over.

‘It’s great that you’ve got a playdate,’ Adam said as they left the park.

‘Dad! Playdates are for 5-year-olds.’ ‘Hanging out, then.’

He’d be hanging out with Carrie’s mum, Julie, next Saturday. She’d had to dash earlier to collect Carrie.

Luckily, Leo’s guitar lesson overlapped with Carrie’s class by 45 minutes. It’d be a quick coffee, but it was a start. He hoped Leo would

soon have the confidence to initiate friendships, too.

All in all, today had been a great “Who dares wins” kind of day – and it wasn’t even lunchtime yet.

Who knew what else fate had in store for them!

THE END Fran Tracey, 2019