Charlie Bennett was exhausted by endless nights out, onenight flings and a parade of first dates. When he met the bright, witty and sharptongued Evelyn, he felt a rare spark. They strolled to a coffee shop, listened to buskers, swapped stories about his recent promotion and her love of contemporary verse. When they discovered a mutual fondness for coronation chicken with sliced apples, they both knew it was time to move forward.
Evelyn invited Charlie to her flat for dinner. He donned his best shirt, shaved, memorised a few obscure lines from one of her favourite poets, bought a bouquet of roses and a bottle of cheap red wine. He set off feeling lighthearted and confident, as smug as a cat thats already claimed its spot by the fish bowl fifteen times a day. Everything was planned to the minute, except for the line, Good evening, Im Simon. My mums in the shower, come on in.
At the door a squarejawed, almost boyish face stared at him. The owner of that face held out a hand that could easily have wrapped around Charlies head. At first Charlie thought hed knocked on the wrong door, but when Simon let out a loud, muffled sneezenose pinched, mouth shutexactly the way Evelyn always did, his doubts vanished. His mood sank, the wine turned sour, the roses wilted.
Inside, Simons sneakers caught Charlies eye. They were so oversized Charlie imagined slipping his own shoes into them and still outgrowing them. Evelyns son, barely taller than a kitchen table, stood nearby. Charlie suddenly thought how pity it was that people didnt treat gold the way they shouldgive a ring today and a wedding band in ten years. He drifted toward the kitchen where the table was already set and Simon was changing curtains without a stool.
Five minutes, Ill be out! shouted a voice from the bathroom.
After five rounds of fiveminute waits, the bathroom door finally opened and Evelyn emerged in an elegant evening dress, her face alight with makeup. Seeing Charlies sour expression, she instantly understood the cause, and his nervousness evaporated along with any hint of romance.
She placed the plates for both of them, poured the wine herself and began eating without waiting for Charlie.
Why didnt you mention you have a child? Charlie asked, feeling duped.
Scared of the trailer? Evelyn replied with a rueful smile.
Its not a trailer, its a whole train.
Big one, huh? Thats his dads side from a remote village in the north, tougher than anyone Ive met.
And where is he now? Charlie swallowed, his throat tightening.
Out on a gig, travelling with that same bear he once chased with his bare hands.
How old is he? Charlie nodded toward the wall.
Fourteen, just got his passport.
Strong?
Very funny.
They ate in silence; conversation stalled.
More meat? Charlie offered his plate.
Like it?
Honestly, Ive never tasted anything better. What is it?
Venison. Simons dad prepares it.
Wow, hes talented.
Got it from his dad, along with an ancient cookbook, a set of knives, a fishing rod, a boat and a bunch of other junk hes tinkered with.
A boat? Charlie swallowed.
Its stored in the cellar. Sometimes its there, sometimes not. The boys an avid angler.
Evelyns phone buzzed; she excused herself to answer.
Its about time I head home, Charlie thought. Hed run out of things to do.
Charlie, I need a favour, Evelyn returned, looking flustered. Theres been an accident at work. Could you look after Simon for a couple of hours?
Me? With Simon? Charlie was taken aback.
Hes still a minor. You never know what could happen. People are wandering the flats these days
Youre worried someone will snatch him?
Bottom line, Evelyn changed tone, Ill pay you for the lost evening and for babysitting, then I wont call again, deal?
What am I supposed to do with him?
Just chat about whatever men talk about. Ive got to run.
Before Charlie could answer, Evelyn was out the door, rushing away in a hurry.
He lingered in the kitchen, drained his phone, finished the meat, drained the wine, while Evelyn never returned. When he reached Simons bedroom door, familiar sounds drifted from inside.
It cant be, Charlie muttered, then knocked.
Open up.
He pushed the door slowly and stepped into a teenagers hideaway. The first thing that caught his eye was a large wooden target studded with knives and arrowsno holes in the wall, the arrows always hit dead centre. A vinyl record player sat on the table, soft strains of Iron Maiden filling the room, a band Charlie adored. Simon sat in a corner, tinkering with his fishing gear. On a shelf were trophies, a boxing bag dangled from the ceiling, and a brandnew gaming console lay beside the TV.
Your mum does a decent job keeping you fed, Charlie whistled enviously. Ive always dreamt of a room like this.
I work over the summer, Simon replied, making Charlie feel a pang of shame. He imagined Evelyn hunting for an endless purse for her son, while the boy seemed perfectly selfsufficient.
Do you have any phone chargers? Charlie asked, holding up his device.
Theres a charging point near the railway line, Simon gestured.
RRRailway line? Charlie stammered, then turned to see a real set of tracks outside, breath catching in his throat.
You built it yourself? he whispered, not wanting to break the magic.
Yeah. Im buying bits and pieces, planning a second tier and a few bridges. A new box of rails just arrived, but I havent got the hands for it yet.
Heat rose to Charlies face and chest.
Can I spin a little wheel? he asked.
Give me a minute, Simon set his gear down, stood tall and crossed the room in a single stride.
***
Evelyn returned an hour later, convinced Charlie had already bolted, and hurried straight to the boys room where they found the two of them assembling the railway. At a glance it was hard to tell which man was older.
Charlie, its time you go home, Evelyn whispered.
Uh right what time is it? Charlie jumped up.
Its half past ten, Evelyn yawned, exhausted. I have another emergency at work tomorrow morning, so I need my sleep.
She walked him to the door, kissed his cheek and handed him some cash.
I dont take money from women, Charlie replied with a grimace.
Alright. Thanks for looking after my trailer, Evelyn said.
Charlie gave a brief smile and left.
***
A few days later Charlie called, Hey, can I come over again?
My jobs a mess right nowno time for relationships, Evelyn replied. And after our last meeting
Can I still see Simon?
Simon? Why?
Id like to keep an eye on the kid.
I dont know youd have to ask him.
I already texted him. Hes fine with it. I bought a new game for his Xbox, well play quietly while you sort your stuff.
Okay, come tonight then.
That evening Charlie arrived in a completely different guise. No shirt, no perfume, no wine, no pretentious starejust a plain black tee featuring his favourite band, a backpack stuffed with crisps and soda, and a boyish grin.
Just keep it downIve got a twohour video call soon, Evelyn greeted him in a fluffy dressing gown, a cloth mask over her face and a hint of onion breath.
Charlie nodded and slipped into the teenagers room.
Meanwhile Evelyn tried to pry Charlie and Simon apart, who were battling over the merits of Balabanov versus Guy Ritchie. Both were passionately defending their viewpoints, ready to settle it with a sixhour film marathon, when Evelyn intervened, calling them both victims of bad taste, and guided Charlie to the exit.
Dont forget to buy bait on Saturday! shouted Simon from the room.
What bait? Evelyn asked Charlie.
Were going pike fishing. I told Simon theres a shop that sells topgrade bait. I havent been on a fishing trip in ages.
You lot are practically best mates. You never want to spend time with me?
You could join us and slice some sandwiches.
Fine, Ive got nothing else to do. Go on, have your fishtrip, Evelyn smiled, ushering Charlie out. Work always eats my time anyway. At least the kid gets an activity.
***
A month passed. Evelyn threw herself into work, leaving little room for romance. Charlie and Simon made good use of the time: they finished the railway, caught crayfish, brewed a traditional kvass from an old family recipe, and Simon taught Charlie how to navigate the woods. Charlie, in turn, showed Simon the basics of flirting and helped him ask a classmate out. Everything ran smoothly until one evening a loud knock sent ceiling lights crashing down.
Evelyn opened the door to a wave of bearmeat aroma. On the doorstep stood her exhusband, Simons father, towering over her even while kneeling.
Ive finally realised, he announced, still on one knee, my son and I are tired. We want a quiet family life. Ive saved enough money; Ill take you and Simon back to my village. Youll quit your job, well fish and hunt together.
Ha! What a joke. Ten years later and you finally realise? Your bears also decided to rejoin the family?
No Actually Ive signed a contract with a film studio behind my back, you see, the man muttered.
So thats why, Evelyn crossed her arms, you just tossed me aside.
It doesnt matter! The main thing is I now
He was cut off as Charlie entered, wearing Evelyns former tshirt.
Evelyn, I took your shirt because mine got stained while we were repainting the train with Simon
Can anyone finish a sentence in this flat? Evelyn asked, glancing between the two men.
Whos that? the husband demanded, punching the air toward Charlie.
What what? Evelyn stammered, at a loss.
Simon burst from his room, slammed the fathers arm against the wall and snarled, Its a trailer!
Its a trailer! the son shouted, choking. Dad, Im the one you left behind. You didnt leave any trailer for us.
The father, bruised, finally loosened his grip. Alright, alright, break, he rasped, releasing Simon.
Youre doing well. Looks like youre ready for a boar hunt, the man said, massaging his hand. Maybe tomorrow I could go with my son, talk about lost time? Im a father, not a stranger.
Evelyn stared between her exhusband and Charlie, unsure what to say.
Yes, I understand, Charlie nodded, gathering his coat.
Sorry
***
The next morning the father and son left at dawn, returning late that night. Evelyn, agitated, asked Simon, Wheres dad?
Hes gone, Simon said, slipping off his shoes.
How can he just just leave?
Its not quite that simple, Simon shrugged. He took the boar in the trailer, drove off to train it, found a new partner for shows, dropped me off in town and vanished.
Evelyn clapped a hand to her forehead. Im such a fool. I should call Charlie, she reached for her phone.
Hes already gone, Simon replied. He drove me home, said hed stop by tomorrow.
How did he know where to pick me up?
He said hed keep an eye on us, make sure were all right.
And he really meant it?
Yes. Hes attached himself to us now, and its unlikely hell ever untie himself.
As the night settled, Evelyn realised that the tangled lives around her had taught her one truth: love, responsibility and honesty are heavier than any trailer, and the only way to carry them is with humility and a willingness to let go when needed. The real cargo we haul through life is not the possessions or the titles, but the trust we nurture in each other.
