HOOLIGANS ➳ JOSH DUN

「FORTY FIVE」

"THANK YOU SO MUCH," Josh smiled at the cashier as she handed him his shopping.

"Good luck!" She returned the smile and Josh turned out of the Little Tikes store with a grin.

Peering into his shopping bag, his heart warmed at the sight of his purchase: a soft pink baby grow and a tiny knitted booties fit for his little princess to come.

His cheeks started to ache from smiling- he was indescribably excited to be a father, and he was glad that Debby was allowing him to be a part of the child's life.

With a noticeable skip in his walk he continued to his car, which was parked a few blocks away from the store.

Josh suddenly heard a childish giggle, and turned his head towards the sound. A mother and two small children bounced out of the candy store from across the street. The kids were holding their own little shopping bags full of sweets, and they both held their mother's hand with a grip so tight, Josh wondered if they were glued.

It was such a sweet sight, and Josh felt the euphoria and pride rise in his chest, making his heart flutter. He was so fucking lucky, and he owed it to both his mistake and his soul mate.

Josh stood there for a moment, watching the family continue down the street. He was so absorbed that he didn't notice the ignorant woman storming down the street towards them, and angrily talking down the phone.

Josh was broken from his daze, when this woman barged past the mother and her children, knocking one of the bags of sweets from their hand. The child instantly burst into tears, and Josh was shocked that this woman just blindly continued on her way.

She was surprisingly dressed up in a red dress and heels, and her hair was covering her face. He narrowed his eyes, this woman seeming familiar. With a small flick of her hair, Josh recognised her immediately.

"Debby?" He stepped out into the street to cross, but she didn't see him.

"Debby!" He shouted a bit louder, jogging after her. She paused, lowered her phone from her ear and turned. She looked shocked to see Josh at first, but soon replaced her expression with a wide smile.

"Josh, hi, I was just-" She gestured to her phone, but Josh realised it was switched off.

Before he got a chance to mention it, she interrupted.

"What's in the bag?" She slipped her phone into her purse, and returned her gaze to the Little Tikes bag.

Josh did not hesitate to show her; he pulled out all his cute little purchases with great joy, but Debby didn't seem enthusiastic.

"That's really sweet, Josh. Listen I've got to rush off, I'll text you later, okay?"

Josh's smile faltered.

"Where are you going?" Josh asked as politely as he could, and Debby hesitated, itching to walk off.

"I.. I was just, going to a scan. At the doctors." She shrugged, turning again to leave.

"Well let me come with you! I want to see if you were right about the gender, now that I've bought a load of pink." He chuckled to himself, but Debby looked ill.