Chapter Two

After a week of delivering catalogues, hoodie plastered to his head in rain, Ste was beginning to wonder if this was really worth it. He'd turned on the charm, he'd begged and pleaded on countless doorsteps in the village and he'd even trudged into town with armfull's of catalogues in the hopes just one person would make an order of bleach and whatever other crap he was trying to flog for the company.

He'd rung doorbells and smoothed out his fringe, plastered on a smile and if he didn't have the door slammed again, or a catalogue thrown at him, he'd have some snotty cow turn her nose up at his trackies and trainers which were so old the sole was worn right through.

The worst thing was, he was a hundred quid down, having the buy the catalogues himself before he'd even attempted to sell anything.

"Well we could do with some oven cleaner," Amy had said as they sat on the sofa in the flat with beans and fish fingers on their laps.

"And how does that benefit us eh? I'm already out of pocket,"

"Alright! I was only trying to help!" Amy said. She rested her plate on the floor and tucked her knees under herself on the sofa. Her face softened in sadness, "I'm really proud of you for trying Ste,"

"For all the good it's doing!" he grumbled.

Amy reached out and rubbed his hand. "But I'm just glad, you know, that you haven't gone to him for money,"

"I'm not anyone's charity case," Ste said. He scoffed, "You know even Noah tried to pay for this whole fancy meal we had out the other night. I didn't even wanna go there in the first place, it was a right rip off."

"Ste!" Amy said with a sigh, "Maybe he was trying to treat his boyfriend! You are daft sometimes."

Ste stood up, snatching the plates to wash them up. "No. I just don't like being treated like some poor little kid,"

The only thing he'd made from the lousy catalogue business amounted to a little less than a tenner. He could feel the measly coins rattling in his pocket as he went to pick up Leah from the nursery. On arriving there, he was quickly greeted by one of the ladies who worked there – Miss Phelps Leah's favourite. She was crouched down with Leah sobbing against her polo shirt.

"Leah what's wrong sweetheart?" Ste cried as he approached, knocked back a little when Leah threw herself into his arms.

Miss Phelps stroked her head. "Leah's had a bit of a bad day today. One of the other children has damaged Mr Snozzle." Mr Snozzle was Leah's favourite bear, pink and the fluffiest toy you've ever seen, given to her by Mike. She carted it around everywhere and as evidenced by her behaviour at the nursery, couldn't bear to be without him.

When Ste later saw Mr Snozzle he'd had his eyes picked out and blue paint splodged over his fur and Ste had his little girl crying all the way home. He tried to tell her that she would now get to take other special teddies into nursery and he would buy her some sweets from Price Slice but she was heartbroken.

When Ste arrived back at the flat, Leah had exhausted herself and headed for a nap after a long cuddle from Amy. Ste tried to make a start on the dinner but could find next to nothing in the cupboards.

As Amy emerged from settling Leah, Ste could see she was tearful.

"Ames, what's wrong?"

"We can't even afford to replace Leah's bear! Lucas needs new shoes, Leah will be starting school soon – we've got her uniform to buy and we've barely got any money to buy food!"

Amy slumped into the sofa, covering her face. Rushing over, Ste put his arm round her.

"We'll sort it, it's okay. We've managed on less than this before," he said.

"We shouldn't have to Ste! I can't even get my job back at the school because they've found someone else already."

Ste kissed her cheek. "I'll sort it," he said softly.

They'd made sacrifices already. He was going to have to swallow his pride.

There was a fearless rap of knuckles on the office door.

"Stephen," he said simply, "Always a pleasure. Take a seat, make yourself at home."

Ste blinked, unfazed by the speedy ramble he gave, laced with his dry humour. He closed the door before him.

"About the poker game…"