LITMIR.BIZ

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game concluded with a win for the home team and the fans dispersed, returning to their homes to continue with their celebrations.

      Win or lose, Meegan always left the game exhausted. She was fast asleep on Aiden’s shoulder as they walked out to the car.

      ‘If only they had games every day, she’d sleep like a rock each night,’ Isla commented, linking arms with Aiden.

      As he settled a sleeping Meegan into her car seat, Aiden spotted an impressive black SUV close by and saw the familiar figure of Deena Fern loading her sons into the car. Jude obediently got in but Davis, now tired, resisted. He kicked and screamed at his mother, ignoring her demands for him to stop.

      Isla also looked over, the fracas catching her attention.

      Deena Fern maintained her dignity and, after trying to reason with Davis, simply picked him up and placed him in his car seat. He fought against her the whole time, lashing out with his little arms, even biting her at one point.

      Even when the car door was slammed shut, you could still hear Davis’ high-pitched screams of rage. It was a painful scene to watch unfold.

      ‘Poor woman,’ Isla said as Aiden climbed into the driver’s seat beside her. ‘I can’t imagine how tough it would be to be a single mother, especially to two young ones.’

      Aiden had to admit that he also pitied Deena Fern. Whilst she had wealth and beauty, it was sad to see her so alone. Yet she’d risk the outbursts and the struggles with her sons rather than deny them the opportunity to see the game.

      It didn’t seem fair that Samuel Fern had turned on her quite as maliciously as he had, especially when he had nothing to go on other than the fact that his two sons didn’t look similar.

      ‘I’m grateful I have you,’ Isla yawned.

      ‘You are?’

      ‘Course I am!’

      ‘Well you don’t seem it sometimes. When you’re moaning about what a hell-hole this place is,’ Aiden said as he drove out of the parking lot. ‘Is it really that bad?’ he asked her. ‘Have we not just had an amazing night out together as a family?’

      ‘Okay, okay,’ Isla raised her hands in defeat. ‘Tonight has been nice. Avalon can be, at times, not all the time, but sometimes, okay.’

      ‘Okay?’

      ‘Yes, it can be okay. That’s all I can stretch to right now.’

      ‘Can I have that in writing? Isla Connelly thinks Avalon is okay. Then the next time you have a fashion-related breakdown I can show it to you!’ Aiden joked.

      ‘Do you ever stop thinking like a lawyer?’ Isla said, playfully punching him in the arm. ‘Thank you for convincing me to come tonight,’ she told her husband sincerely.

      ‘I’m glad you had fun,’ Aiden smiled.

      *

      ‘Good game last night, wasn’t it?’ Edmond asked from across the room at his desk.

      ‘Yeah, it was a decent win,’ Aiden agreed.

      Edmond approved of his young colleague’s developing enthusiasm for the local team and did his best to nurture his interest.

      ‘They’ve had a good season so far.’

      ‘Yeah, definitely.’ Aiden nodded.

      ‘I’ve always enjoyed high school football,’ Edmond continued. ‘Not that I’ve ever played myself.’ He chuckled to himself at this.

      ‘Sometimes being a spectator is just as much fun.’

      ‘Yes, yes.’

      ‘Although my wife is worried that our daughter is getting a little bit too much into football. I think she fears that she is going to grow up wanting to play on the field rather than cheer at the side of it.’ Aiden admitted to Edmond.

      ‘It’s not ladylike to play ball,’ the older man told him gravely. ‘Just keep her enjoyment of the sport on the side lines.’

      Aiden was a bit bemused by Edmond’s response. But then it was very forward thinking to let women play football and Avalon wasn’t exactly modern in its mind set. A horrible thought suddenly occurred to Aiden which pinched at his brain like a mean-spirited bug – what if Avalon would actually stifle Meegan rather than enhance her life as he’d hoped? What if she grew up with dreams of playing football but due to social pressures only ever cheered the team on when really she dreamt of joining them? Had he set his daughter up for a lifetime of disappointment?

      He told himself he was being overly dramatic. Meegan was still very young, there was no telling what she wanted to do with her life and by the time she did know, Avalon may well have caught up with the modern world or they may not even be in Avalon. Life, Aiden knew too well, was anything but predictable.

      ‘It’s good that she enjoys the game though,’ Edmond added, worried by Aiden’s prolonged silence. ‘A bit of team spirit never hurt anyone.’

      ‘Exactly.’ Aiden smiled, though he was still lost in his own concerns.

      ‘What are your plans for today?’ Edmond asked, deciding it best to change the subject of their conversation.

      ‘Today? I’m catching up on some paperwork so will just be in the office.’

      ‘Good, good.’ Edmond nodded. ‘Paperwork is a pain but important. Glad you’re staying on top of it all.’

      ‘What about you?’

      ‘I’m due in court this afternoon,’ Edmond sighed. ‘Another DUI for one of the Lambeth boys.’

      ‘You don’t think it will go well for him?’

      ‘Not this time, no.’ Edmond shook his head sadly. ‘He was extremely careless after a night out and his passenger broke both hips. They will make an example of him, I reckon. I just won’t savour being there when his family self-implodes, as they always do.’

      ‘Sounds like a tough afternoon,’ Aiden sympathized.

      ‘But on the bright side, tomorrow is Friday,’ Edmond grinned. ‘And after Friday comes the weekend and I severely need to work on my handicap.’

      Aiden almost missed the golf reference, but caught it just as he was about to question what Edmond meant.

      ‘You should really think about joining me,’ Edmond added. He was always trying to get Aiden to join him on the golf course.

      ‘I’m not much of a golfer.’

      ‘But it’s a great networking opportunity.’

      ‘I will come at some point,’ Aiden conceded and, satisfied with his answer, Edmond checked his watch and began to gather together his belongings.

      ‘I’d best be off,’ he told his colleague. ‘Whilst the Lambeths don’t adhere to driving laws, they are sticklers for timekeeping!’

      ‘Good luck.’

      ‘I’ll need it!’ Edmond waved as he hurried out the door.

      Alone in the office, Aiden endeavoured to plough through his mounting pile of paperwork. With Edmond gone, he should be able to power through it relatively quickly.

      Barely a half hour had passed when Betty’s voice came crackling into the office through the intercom.

      ‘Mr Connelly?’

      Aiden groaned to himself. He didn’t need a coffee; he just needed some peace to get his work done. Betty was always well intentioned though, so he tried to quell his annoyance at being disturbed.

      ‘Yes, Betty?’

      ‘I’m sorry to disturb you, but there is a lady here to see you.’

      A lady? Aiden assumed it was Isla, but wouldn’t Betty

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