Page 45 of Original Sin

‘My dad.’

He looked like a soldier, thought Tess. Sandy hair cropped close to his head. A crisply ironed khaki shirt and a nose that looked as if it might well have been broken a few times. He wasn’t particularly good looking but there was something strong and solid about him and right now something a little frightening.

‘Where the hell have you been?’ demanded the man.

‘The movies,’ muttered Jack, suddenly much quieter now.

‘And what did you see that couldn’t wait until tomorrow? You know we said we were going to go together tomorrow.’

Jack’s cheeks flushed and he looked down at his feet.

‘The Pact,’ said Tess, her voice trailing off as if she was also about to be punished.

‘Sorry, who are you?’

‘Tess Garrett,’ she replied, feeling very naughty. ‘We just met today.’

Jack’s dad raised a brow. ‘And what did he do, tag behind you in the line?’

She gave a slight shrug, not wanting to get the kid into too much trouble.

‘For an eleven year old he’s sure gotta lot of guile,’ Jack’s dad said flatly.

Tess glared at Jack. ‘Eleven! You said you were thirteen!’

‘Sorry,’ said Jack sheepishly.

‘He is eleven years old and shouldn’t be watching any R–rated movies,’ said Jack’s dad sternly.

Tess winced. ‘I didn’t know. I’m so sorry. As you might have guessed, I’m not used to kids.’

The big man sighed and shook his head. ‘Listen, Miss Garrett was it? I’m Kevin Donovan, Jack’s dad, and I’m sorry if I sounded rude. It’s not just the movie thing. Jack was supposed to be with his mom, but she cancelled and I managed to get a baby–sitter at the last minute.’

‘I don’t need a babysitter,’ said Jack sulkily.

‘Obviously, he gave the ’sitter the slip,’ said Kevin, ignoring his son. ‘She didn’t even notice for an hour. By the time I got a call at work, he’s been missing for nearly three hours. I was about to call the cops.’

Tess looked at Jack disapprovingly. ‘Your dad is just worried about you.’

Jack nodded, his head down. ‘I didn’t like that baby–sitter.’

‘I didn’t have much choice,’ said his father wearily.

Tess felt a sudden pang of sadness for this little family unit. A poor single dad overstretched with his three jobs and a clever, easily bored son looking for fun. As an only child she knew exactly what it was like to be lonely and in need of things to do.

‘Listen, I’m just around the corner, if you’re ever stuck again,’ she found herself blurting out.

Jack looked up, a broad smile on his face. ‘That’s great,’ he said brightly.

What have I just said? thought Tess. Panicking slightly, she back–pedalled. ‘Of course, I’m not home all that much and I work crazy hours … ’

‘Well thanks,’ said Kevin, clearly not overexcited by the idea. You can hardly blame the guy, thought Tess. I haven’t come across as the most responsible adult in Manhattan. Kevin put his hand on the back of his son’s head and pushed him gently along the street. ‘Come on, pal. Time to go.’

‘Bye Tess.’

She watched as they walked away, Jack’s back bowed, Kevin’s erect. She didn’t doubt that he was reading Jack the riot act. When they turned the corner, Jack glanced back and gave a little wave. Tess slid her shades back on and smiled. The glamour, the glamour. Her first new friend in New York was a child.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN