Forgive me for missing your birthdayI had an accident.
Sorry, Oliver, for not making it the other day. I ran over a child on the road, Vincent explained, downing a gulp of whisky. I’d just left a construction site, got in the car, and before Id even pulled onto the main road, a boy threw himself onto my bonnet.
Can you believe it? Luckily, I wasnt speeding.
I jumped out in a panic and found the lad alive, asking if he was hurt. He insisted he was finea little ginger boy, no older than six.
“Where are your parents?” I asked.
“Mums at home,” he said, “making tea.”
“Lets go see her, then,” I suggested. “Well sort this out.”
He led me to his block of flats, pointed to the door, then hid behind me. A woman answeredstunning, in a faded sort of way, like a painting left in the sun.
“Excuse me,” I began, “somethings happened. Dont worry, please, I just bumped your son with my car. Hes alrighthere he is.” I nudged the boy forward. “Should we call the police?”
“No need,” she said softly. “This is the fifth time hes done it.”
“What?”
“Ethan, go to your room,” she told him firmly. Then, to me: “Come in. Fancy a cuppa? Or coffee?”
Her tea was lovely, steeped with mint.
“Sorry about this,” said Emilythat was her name. “Ethan overheard me telling a friend how hard it is raising him alone. Now he tries to find me a husband this way. Youre the fifth bloke hes thrown himself at. Two nearly had heart attacks. I tell him hes all I need, but hes stubborn, like his grandad. Once he gets an idea” She glanced at the door. “Any damage to the car? Ill cover it.”
I just stared at her. And I knewOliver, I swearId met the love of my life. Tired, in a dressing gown, no fuss. If I walked away now, I might as well jump off a bridge.
“Thisll sound mad,” I said, “but maybe I could take you and Ethan to the pictures? Make up for it.”
“Dont bother,” she sighed. “Hell get the wrong idea again.”
“Not your type?” I asked.
“Its not that. Just feels shady. Like Im sending my kid into traffic to snag a man.”
“Aye, and Im some opportunist, swooping in,” I joked. “Might as well burn together. Fancy sharing a pyre?”
God knows what else I babbled. But the next day, I took them to see *Paddington* at the cinema. Then for fish and chips. Then
Long story short, Oliverthats why Im here. Were getting hitched in June. Need a photographer. You in? Look how photogenic they are.
Vincent pulled out his phone, showing a snap of a grinning redhead and a gap-toothed boy.
Turns out Cupid doesnt have wings. Hes got freckles and missing milk teeth. And his names Ethan. As for the surname? Well, Vincents giving him his soon enough. No doubt about that.
