Page 114 of Playing the Game

“I take it he’s met this beauty?”

Adam nodded. “She’s called Olive, by the way.”

Ewen stared at her. “Olive Williams. I like it.”

It occurred to him that she wouldn’t have his name. Jen will have registered the birth by now.

I want her to have my name.

“Skip?”

“She’s pretty amazing,” Adam said, snapping to attention. “She can smile but makes you work for it.”

“Is Jen bad?”

“Not great,” Adam replied. “She’d made her mind up to do it on her own. Then everything got on top of her.”

“Why on her own?”

Adam sighed. “Because she thinks I’m too much of a manbaby to take responsibility.”

Ewen caught his gaze. “She always said you were too immature to commit.”

“Yes I remember, thank you.”

“Sorry.”

Once again the intercom went. He hoped this was Goran and not another teammate coming to use his facilities.

Adam hopped off the stool and went to the machine.

“Goran?”

“That’s me.”

“The door’s open.”

He pressed the button.

“I won’t be letting people in without checking again,” Adam said as he resumed his seat.

“Charming,” Ewen said, turning to Olive. “Your dad is mean. Poor Uncle Ewen only wanted to use the facilities. Hey, have you taken her in the pool yet?”

“I don’t have the special nappies,” Adam replied. “And after the explosion this morning, I’m not risking it without.”

“Gross. Look at you. Changing nappies.”

Adam shrugged. “Nothing to it.”

“Are you ready for this?” Ewen asked.

“I don’t have much choice, do I? And in answer to your question. Yes I am. I can’t explain why.”

Ewen nodded.

The moment shattered with the door opening. Goran came in, carrying a sleeping Petar in his car seat.

“Oh, you’ve already got a babysitter?”