Unsuitable by Ainslie Paton Page B

he’d performed a circus trick. This was so unfair. Why couldn’t he be a
studious clown type or a nerdy neat freak? He was this charismatic gentle giant
and that was too bad.
    “I
know you wanted to talk to Flip,” he said.
    Flip
nodded. She glanced at Reece and took a deep breath. “Do you want me to tell
you while he’s listening?”
    Audrey
laughed. Mia reached for Reece’s hand and was content to simply watch the other
kids on the play equipment.
    He
groaned. “There’s no way this is not going to be embarrassing.”
    Flip
scowled at Reece. “I’m not going to embarrass you. I won’t.” She faced Audrey. “We
want Reece to get the job so that we can toss for his bedroom.”
    Reece
closed his eyes and put a hand to his forehead. “Flip.”
    She
rounded on him. “You told me to tell the truth.”
    He
ducked his head and laughed. Audrey’s phone beeped. She pulled it out of the
side pocket of her bag. “Excuse me, this might be work.” She checked the
screen. Les. She opened the text message. He blushed. I die . She tucked
the phone in her pocket and refocused on Flip and Reece. He had blushed. He’d
also cringed, his big shoulders trying to muffle his ears momentarily.
    He
pointed at the gym equipment. “Going to play.” Mia took the hint and dragged on
his hand.
    Flip
told her how Reece was strict but a good brother. How he was there when their
mum had to work, and when she was studying. How he cooked and made them do
their chores. Helped with homework and knew when Gin’s asthma was bad. He was
expert at making sure Etta and Neeva didn’t kill each other. He’d promised to
teach Etta how to drive and he fixed things around the house. Her love for him
was so evident it made Les text again. Twice.
    The
first read, If you don’t take him I will. The second came through before
Audrey managed to re-pocket her phone. Is it poss to get preg from looking
at a guy? Think I’m six months.
    She
gave Les a cease and desist look and when she turned to Flip, Faux Mo was
there.
    He
stuck his hand out. “Hi, I’m Marcus, but call me Polly.”
    “Audrey.”
She shook a hand attached to a sleeve of intricate tattoos. “That’s Mia with
Reece, and this is my friend, Leslie.” She had to elbow Les, to get her to take
Polly’s hand.”
    “Hi,
Leslie, but call me Les.”
    Polly
laughed. He held Les’s hand longer than a random handshake in the park
warranted. “Polly and Les. Two identities in crisis.” When he released her
hand, Les looked at it as if it might’ve developed magical properties. Audrey looked
upwards to make the point. Seagulls on the wing.
    “I’ve
known Reece since primary school. You can trust him with your kid,” said Polly.
    “I
already said that,” said Flip.
    Polly
pulled Flip’s ponytail. “I said it again just to be sure.”
    “So
does Reece get the job?” Flip asked.
    Did
he? They watched him guide Mia across a low bridge and down a short ladder. The
kids too old to be using the gym kept away. No one was going to hassle Mia with
Reece on hand. The issue of gender aside, was he the best candidate? Did his
maleness matter where Mia’s care was concerned? His referees had raved about
him, so she had no reason to doubt his capabilities. He said something and Mia
laughed. She had no reason to doubt his intentions either. Who brings a whole
posse to an interview? He’d said he wanted the job, he was going all out.
    “What
do you think, Les?” said Polly. “Me, personally. I have no idea why a bloke
wants to look after kids that aren’t his own. But it’s what Reece wants to do
and you have to support a mate. What do you think is best?”
    “Me?”
    Polly
laughed, because Les squeaked that. “Yeah, you and me are the sidekicks. It’s
my role to tell you Reece is the man for the job. Assume it’s your role to tell
Audrey what you think. Am I right?”
    “Sidekick.”
Les coughed. “Yes. Um.”
    “Okay
I get it. You don’t want to give anything away. Clever. Play