Spacial Awareness – Wayne 31

 

[For back story go here: Story so far at 17 Sept 2020 and more recent Wayne episodes.]

[Other back story through in-links.]

“It’s not that much money,” said Wayne.

“That’s not the point and you know it,” said Dave. 

“I can afford it.”

“That’s not the point either. What if this continues?”

“I trust her, does that count for nothing?”

“Your trust counts for something, but I don’t want to see you get burned.”

The comment on burning was somewhat appropriate and both Dave and Wayne knew why Dave had said it. During the course of their conversation on the topic of the money Wayne had given his newfound mum Cassie, Dave’s work on a wonderfully sophisticated evening meal with delicate flambé portobello mushrooms and a light béchamel sauce had descended into bangers and mash. Wayne honestly didn’t mind, Dave did.

“Also you didn’t discuss this with me,” said Dave.

“I need to discuss it with you? It’s my money. My mum!”

“We talked about this before. When she first came out of the woodwork.”

“Woodwork? Woodwork? What do you think she is? Some kind of termite? She’s my mum!”

“She says she is,” said Dave. “Any proof yet? Documentation? Cross checked with census information, electoral roll?”

“The photos…”

“…can be faked. You need documentation.”

“You watch too much Who Do You Think You Are.”

“And even then what does she need the money for? What’s she doing with it? Is she that hard up?”

“She needs it to survive.”

“And if she doesn’t get more when she wants it – what do you think will happen then?”

Wayne hadn’t thought about that. Didn’t really want to think about that and wouldn’t think about that now either. So far as he was concerned Cassie was his mother, she did care about him and was straight down the line. Why should he doubt her? Everything added up, Phillis agreed so there really was nothing to work against this being a genuine reunion. Apart from Dave.

“Not heard from Cath today,” said Wayne. Changing the course of the conversation with breakneck cornering which was noted by Dave.

“What? Why? Are you hoping she’ll back you up?”

“I’m hoping to get more information on Mastermind. You remember, the celebrity one for charity – or do I need to check all that out in triplicate too? Get John Humphries to take a DNA test?”

“Don’t be stupid,” said Dave, dolloping mash on a plate. “Cassie on the other hand…”

“Just leave it, alright?” yelled Wayne, finally. “Leave it. This is my situation, my possible family, my mistake. If it’s going to be a mistake. If it’s a mistake it’s mine to make and I’m going to risk it. OK?”

Dave was quiet. He continued to serve up the scaled down supper.

Ultimately they had to agree to differ. It had gone into Cassie’s bank account and while Dave wanted that to be the first and last of it, Wayne was happy to follow his gift with more if it was required. He’d follow the track he’d started down and see where it ended up.

They ate their meal in front of an on demand Strictly Come Dancing programme.

“Shame to see him go,” said Dave as Max George explained how fantastic his experience on the show had been.

“Difficult week,” agreed Wayne. “High quality dancing but difficult decision. Just hope everyone else stays safe and OK. Few more weeks and there’ll just be Tess and Claudia on there doing their distanced ‘Keep Dancing’ thing and Anton giving them 10.”

“No one seems very good at keeping safe, do they?” noted Dave. “Entertainment, politics, you name it.”

“Well, either it’s a bit tricky,” said Wayne, “or they’re a bit stupid. I mean, the politicians make up the rules and then they ignore them. Or don’t realise what they’re doing in the first place. ”

“Still don’t understand why they can’t reinstate one of the other couples on Strictly.”

“They’ll already have broken their bubble. Soon as you’re out you get to go back to your normal life. Don’t have to bubble for the show any more. Could be an incentive to dance badly, really…”

Wayne loaded the dishwasher and put the kettle on. "Any chance we watch one of those chilling Danish psycho-dramas now?" he asked. "Just for fun?"

Dave flicked to an appropriate show.

“By the way,” said Wayne. “Ed Sheeran came to London in 2008, won two Brit Awards in 2012 and his first guitar was given to him by his Uncle.”

Dave nodded, looking suitably impressed.

“They are not going to get me with Ed Sheeran,” said Wayne. “All the same I’m wondering if I can do Desert Island Discs instead.”