Mistakes Made ✅

Chapter 15: Snow Kissed

A/N
Again, another late update :<

But ahem enjoy c:

"Someone looks happy,"

Pelham, standing right across from Errol on the other side of the counter, raised his eyebrows at him in response. He'd entered the parlour sporting a pair of rosy cheeks and a windswept hair. Not that Errol was surprised; the second week of October already gave off the impression that the dwellers of the town were living in Antartica. It was surprising enough to see snow outside - and it was only October. Indisputably enough, it was a rare occurrence. He doubted the white parka worn by Pelham was keeping the boy any where near warm.

When Pelham didn't respond, still stuffing his hand into the pocket of his jacket for some cash, Errol proceeded, "You know, like someone who just found out he was gonna be a dad!"

At this, Pelham snorted, finally extracting a few crumpled pounds from his pocket. "Yeah, 'cause you'd definitely know about it," he responded.

"So where's your Spanish boyfriend?" Really, Errol just wanted to start a conversation. Without Abeela in the shift, things were certainly growing dull.

"Hospital,"

"Ahah!" Errol pointed a finger at the boy's face.

Startled, Pelham said, "What?"

"So there will be a newborn baby!"

"Why do people always say that when it comes to hospitals?" Pelham sounded somewhat irked.

"'Cause that's where newborn babies are?" Errol knew he was being blunt. Not that he cared, of course.

"Yes. So are sick people," Pelham noted. "To answer your question, it's Luc's aunt. Two months till the baby is forced into this sick paradise that you lot call world."

A chuckle sounded from Errol's throat. "That's dark," he remarked. "Why is his aunt there if she still has two more months?"

"An appointment, I guess," Pelham shrugged. "What about you?You definitely look healthier."

"I thought I looked good when we first met?"

Pelham delivered his usual deadpan expression, one that Errol knew all too well would be followed by a sardonic reply. "No, you looked like utter crap," he stated.

Almost inadvertently, Errol's hand went behind his head to scratch the nape of his neck. "Good month, is all," he simply said.

"That so?"

"Let me live, Pelham,"

The boy grinned as he handed Errol the cash. His order was already ready in a brown paper bag, which Errol handed over. "I better get going now," informed Pelham, as though his time and place mattered that much to Errol.

"Drive safe, pretty boy!"

Errol could definitely feel the ghost of a smile lingering on his lips as soon as Pelham was out of sight, not certain as to what it was that he was very content about. Putting Pelham's life aside, it was true that Errol was so far having a decent month.

For one, he had finally had enough in his income to pay half of the rent he shared with Jordie, seeing as he was practically living there now. The earnings from his part-time job as well as his new post as a freelance artist sure did the trick. Despite Jordie's protests – the boy claiming that he was well-earned enough to pay them all by himself – Errol could note the subtle hassle radiating off Jordie. And it was only corroborated when Jordie delivered no opposition when Errol brought up the settlement arrangement.