Flash In The Pan - 9. A Date With Adam

“So, are you gonna make it, Ed?”

Mike gripped the phone hard and tried not to let his exasperation colour his voice, though it sounded to his own ears as if he'd failed. It was important – they'd both agreed it was the highlight of the school year.

Mike, you know I don't want to miss it …

“But …?” Mike ran his fingers through his hair while he looked out the french windows at the garden.

Yeah. But. I'm at Rod Harkness' place. His dairy herd has tested positive for TB. I'll have to take him through his options.

“He has options?”

Well, not really. The likely outcome is slaughtering most, if not all, the herd. That's his livelihood – he doesn't have anything other than cattle. You know that as well as I do.

Mike grimaced. Pretty much the worst news for a farmer. “Yeah. As if being a farmer wasn't tough enough. Poor sod. He'll get compensation, but it won't make up for the loss. … Anyway, back to the topic in hand. Are you gonna make it?”

I should, if the gods look kindly on me. Otherwise … I'm sorry, love. To state the obvious – being a vet isn't a nine to five job.

Mike took a couple of steadying deep breaths while holding the handset away from his mouth. The tension in between his shoulder blades was almost painful.

“I'm sorry as well. I didn't mean to snap. You work so hard, love. It's just Adam has set his heart on you being there.”

I know. He was full of it at breakfast, wasn't he? Singing snatches of all sorts of things. Give him a kiss for me, just in case.

“Of course, I will.”

I should be out of here in fifteen minutes or so, and the traffic shouldn't be too bad. I'll meet you there – that'll save ten minutes.

“Drive safely, won't you? It's not worth that much. Love you.”

Yeah. You too. See you both very soon.

Mike gave the handset a sloppy kiss, then sank back on the sofa. Just in time for a short, blond bundle of energy to rush up and start shouting at him.

“Dad! Dad! When's Papa gonna be back?”

Mike smiled as the young boy hopped from one foot to the other in excitement.

“Hey now, a little less noise. OK?”

“Yes, Dad.”

“Papa's still at work, but he'll be back in good time.”

“When?”

“In time for the concert. Hopefully.”

The boy's face fell.

“He has to drive all the way back from Mr Harkness' farm, Adam.”

“Is that the farm with the black and white cows?”

“Yes, it is.” Though for how much longer? “How did you know that?”

“The class visited it last year. I told you. … Why's Papa there?”

The never-ending series of questions. Mike loved that about his son.

“Because Mr Harkness is worried they're poorly.”

“Are they?”

“I don't know, Adam. Papa's the vet, not me.” A white lie told with a clear conscience.

“Oh …” The boy thought about that for a moment until something more important took its place. “I'm hungry.”

“There's a surprise. Right, let's go to the kitchen and see what we've got. I think there's pizza? Or spaghetti? Or chicken nuggets.”

“Pizza! I love pizza.”

Mike craned round in the pew for the umpteenth time in the vain hope that his partner would be in sight. Ten minutes. There was still time. Just. He sighed. Adam would be really upset if only one of his parents was there. It was difficult to explain to a seven year old what being a vet entailed. Particularly the more abstract things like distance, and professional commitment. He opened the programme to look at the choir photo again. They all looked angelic. Mike rolled his eyes. How many other parents were looking at it in disbelief? Adam was a great kid, but he did have his moments.

Just as he was exchanging waves with a mother he knew slightly, Mike's eye was caught by the church door opening. Yes? … Yes! Oh, was he glad to see that familiar blond mop.

“Sorry, sorry. I'm here now.” Ed gave his partner a quick peck on the cheek as he slipped into the pew.

“Well done. How many speeding tickets will that result in?” Sly grin.

“Excuse me?” Ed did fake outrage very well.

“You heard.”

They were both still eyeing each other up when the choir filed in, quietly taking their places. The audience settled down into an expectant hush. Mike saw their son standing at the back, looking so smart in his school uniform. After a moment, a young girl stepped forward. The child began to hum the opening phrase of the first song before being joined by the rest of the choir doing the same.

Mike relaxed. All was right with his world.