“Wow, Dad,” gushed William, my ten year old son. “That was an amazing race. You panned the pants off all the other dads!”
“Well, son, with you and your mother here cheering me on, how could I not win the Fathers Sack Race?”
I turn and look at Fiona who smiles at me coyly, her blue eyes sparkling in the afternoon sun. I have to say she looks great these days. She’s obviously been going to the gym and the blue summer dress she’s wearing really compliments her long legs.
I always said she had great legs.
I was surprised as anyone when she invited me along to William’s school’s sports day. We’d separated a year ago and although the divorce hadn’t yet been finalised, we’d hardly spoken since.
I was devastated when she kicked me out. It was my own fault , I know. She’d been away on business and I’d stupidly ended up in bed with her sister – who had popped round to make sure I was coping with William on my own.
One drunken mistake later and that was the end of my marriage.
I coped by throwing myself into my painting and decorating business. But now I was hoping this invite was a chance for us to start talking again and perhaps make a fresh start.
“So you been seeing anyone?” she asks.
“Of course not Fiona. I just want us all back together again,” I reply, smiling warmly. “I still love you.”
She blushes and is unable to keep a smile from her face.
“Great race, Mr Andrews!” says a girls voice suddenly. “I knew you’d win!”
I look down and see a girl from William’s class smiling up at me.
“Thanks Sally,” I say, shrugging at Fiona.
Fiona looks at me curiously. “How do you know Sally?”
“He’s been doing some painting work round our house,” replies Sally before I can say anything.
“How’d you know my Dad would win the sack race?” sneers William.
“Because,” Sally says. “I heard my mummy tell her friend that he was great in the sack!”
————————-
Winning ‘Amazing Race’ story at Red Bubble’s Twisted Tales, November 2008
