TRAILER.
Colin was drained by endless outings, onenight flings, endless dates, and when he met the simple, lively, clever Ethel, he knew this was the one. They drifted into a café, listened to buskers on the corner, swapped stories about his climb up the corporate ladder and her devotion to contemporary verse, and discovered a mutual love for potato salad spiked with apples. The sign was clear: they had to go further.
The fasttrack for their blossoming romance was set in Ethels flat in a quiet London block, where she invited him for dinner. Colin slipped on his crispest shirt, shaved, memorised a few odd lines from one of Ethels favourite poets, and bought a bunch of roses and a bottle of red. He stepped out feeling as buoyant as a cat that circles its bowl fifteen times a day. He could already taste how the evening would unfold, except for one odd phrase that lingered in his mind: Good evening, Im Steadman. Mums in the shower, come on in.
He froze. Above him hovered a square, almost childlike male face. The owner of that face stretched out a hand that could easily envelop Colins head. At first he thought hed wrongdialed, but when Steadman let out a loud, comical sneeze, pinching his nose the way Ethel always did, any doubt vanished. Colins mood began to plummet, the wine turned sharp, the roses wilted.
Inside, he stared at Steadmans trainers and gasped they were so big he could slip them over his shoes and still have room to grow. Ethel was almost as tall as his son, her stature a peculiar halfmeasure that made him think women should know how to handle gold. He imagined handing her a ring now and, ten years on, finding a wedding band in his hand a decent investment.
He walked to the kitchen, where a table was already set and Steadman was fiddling with curtains without a stool.
Five minutes and Im out! a voice called from the bathroom.
After five rounds of five minutes each, the door finally swung open, and Ethel emerged from the shower in an evening dress, her face lit with fresh makeup. She saw Colins sour expression, instantly understood the cause, and the flutter of romance evaporated.
She placed plates before herself and her guest, poured the wine, and began to eat without waiting for Colin.
Why didnt you tell me you have a child? Colin blurted, feeling cheated.
What, scared of a trailer? Ethel replied with a melancholy smile.
Its not a trailer its a whole train, he retorted.
She laughed, talking about a hulking lad from a remote Yorkshire village, taller than any of Steadmans mates, who once wrestled a bear with bare hands.
And where is he now? Colin sputtered, his throat tight.
Touring with that same bear. He left us for the big stage, sometimes writes letters though the handwriting looks like the bears own, a conscience larger than his.
How old is he? Colin asked, glancing at the wall.
Fourteen, just got his passport.
Strength?
Very funny.
They ate in silence; conversation stalled.
More meat? Colin asked, passing his plate.
Like it?
Honestly, Ive never tasted anything better. What is this?
Moose meat. Steadman cooks it.
Impressive.
He inherited a battered old cookbook, a set of knives, a fishing rod, a boat, and a heap of odd stuff he salvaged.
A boat? Colin swallowed.
Its kept in the basement. Sometimes its there, sometimes not his son is a keen angler.
Ethels phone buzzed, and she slipped away to answer.
Its time to head home, Colin thought. Nothing else to catch here.
Colin, I need a favour, Ethel returned, visibly rattled. Theres been an accident at work. Could you mind looking after Steadman for a couple of hours?
Me? Steadman? Why?
Hes underage; who knows what could happen. People are roaming the building
Afraid someone will snatch him?
Look, Ill pay you for the lost evening and the babysitting, then I wont call again. Deal?
What should I do with him?
Just chat, mens stuff. Ive got to run.
Colin didnt manage a reply before Ethel darted out in her coat. He lingered in the kitchen, drained his phone, finished the meat, and sipped the last of the wine while Ethel stayed absent.
He reached Steadmans door, heard familiar sounds from beyond, thought, No way, and knocked.
Open, a voice called.
Colin eased the door open and stepped into a childrens room. The first thing that struck him was a massive wooden target riddled with knives and arrows; the wall was unmarred the archer never missed. A vinyl turntable played Iron Maiden softly, a band Colin adored. Steadman sat in a corner, tweaking fishing tackle. On a shelf sat trophies, a boxing bag hung from the ceiling, and a brandnew gaming console rested by the TV.
Your mums doing a good job, Colin muttered, halfjealous. Hed always dreamed of a room like this.
I work this summer, Steadman replied, making Colin feel a pang of embarrassment. He imagined Ethel hunting for an endless wallet for her endless child, yet the boy seemed selfsufficient.
Got a charger? Colin asked, holding up his phone.
By the railway, Steadman pointed.
Railway? Colin repeated, eyes wide, then turned and stared at a sprawling railway complex outside, breath catching.
Did you build it? he whispered, not wanting to break the spell.
Yeah, adding bits here and there, planning a second level and a few bridges. New rails arrived, but I cant quite reach them yet.
Heat rose to his head and heart.
Can I spin a little wheel? he asked.
Give me a minute, Steadman set his gear down, stood tall, and crossed the room in a single stride.
***
An hour later Ethel returned, certain Colin had already slipped away, and rushed into the boys room to find the two of them assembling the railway. At a glance it was hard to tell who was older.
Colin, you should go home, Ethel whispered.
Whoa what time is it?
Half past eleven, Ethel yawned, exhausted. I have another emergency at the depot tomorrow, need my rest.
She escorted him to the door, kissed his cheek, and handed him a few notes.
I dont take money from women, Colin said, scoffing.
Thanks for looking after my trailer, Ethel replied.
Colin gave a thin smile and left.
***
A few days later Colin called.
Hey, can I drop by again?
My works swamped, not much time for romance. Our last meeting
Can I pop in on Steadman?
Steadman? Ethel asked, puzzled.
Yes. Maybe keep an eye on the kid?
Im not sure Ill ask him.
Already messaged him. Hes fine. Ive bought a new game for his Xbox, well hang quietly, you can do your thing.
Alright, come tonight.
That evening Colin arrived in a completely different guise no shirt, no perfume, no wine, no pretentious stare. He wore a plain black tee with his favourite bands logo, a backpack stuffed with crisps and soda, and a goofy boyish grin.
Just keep it low I have a twohour video call soon, Ethel greeted, wrapped in a housecoat, a fabric mask over her face, the scent of onions lingering.
Colin nodded and slipped into the playroom.
Meanwhile Ethel struggled to separate Colin and Steadman, who were locked in a heated debate over the merits of Balabanov versus Guy Ritchie. Both defended their positions fiercely, ready to settle it with a sixhour film marathon, until Ethel convinced them they were both victims of bad taste and ushered Colin out.
Dont forget the bait for Saturday! Steadman shouted from the room.
What bait? Ethel glanced at Colin.
Were going for pike. I told Steadman theres a shop with topnotch bait. I havent been fishing in a millennium.
So youre mates, huh? Not interested in spending time with me?
You can join, slice the sandwiches.
Fine, Ive got nothing better to do. Go on, enjoy your fishing. Ethel smiled, shooing Colin. Work always eats my schedule, at least the kid gets something to do.
***
A month passed. Ethel buried herself in her job, romance vanished from her thoughts. Colin and Steadman used the time productively: finishing the railway, catching crayfish, brewing a historic ale from a battered family recipe. Steadman taught Colin forest navigation; Colin, in turn, showed the boy the basics of flirtation and helped him ask a classmate out. All went smoothly until one night a violent knock rattled the ceiling, sending lamps crashing down.
Ethel opened the door, greeted by the scent of bear meat. On the threshold stood her exhusband, towering over her, and his sons father, Steadmans dad.
Ive had an epiphany, he declared, kneeling, still taller than Ethel by a head. Potter and I are tired, we want a quiet family life. Ive saved enough, well take you and Steadman back to the countryside. Youll quit work, well fish and hunt together.
Ha! Funny youre late to the party, ten years on and you finally get it. Your bears also decided to come home?
No He actually signed a film deal behind my back, the husband muttered.
Thats why, Ethel crossed her arms, they just threw you away.
It doesnt matter! The point is I now
He was cut off as Colin, wearing Ethels spare house shirt, stepped into the hallway.
Ethel, I grabbed your shirt cause mine got dirty while we were repainting the old locomotive with Steadman
Good heavens, does anyone ever finish a sentence here? Ethel asked, eyeing the three men.
Whos that? her ex demanded, fists clenched toward Colin.
This is Colin stammered, at a loss.
From the room, Steadman burst out, snapping his fathers arm to the wall with a harsh grunt.
This is a trailer! he hissed.
Steadman! Son! Im your father! What trailer? the man wheezed, writhing.
Its just a trailer that helps us haul the bits you left behind.
But I never left anything, the husband said, finally grasping his own words.
Colin and Ethel huddled in a corner, watching the giants tussle.
Alright, enough, the father growled, releasing his grip.
Youve done well, lad. Ready for a boar hunt tomorrow? We could catch up on lost time, perhaps start anew. Im a father, not a stranger.
Ethel stared between her ex and Colin, speechless.
Yes, I understand, Colin nodded, preparing to leave.
Sorry
***
The next morning the father and son vanished at dawn, and Steadman returned alone late that night.
Wheres dad? Ethel asked, annoyed.
Hes gone, he said, slipping off his boots.
How can he just go?
Not quite. He left with the boar, loaded it into the trailer, and drove off to train it. He found a new partner for performances, dropped me off in town, then left.
Im such a fool, Ethel muttered, slapping her forehead. I need to call Colin.
Hes already gone. He drove me home, promised to drop by tomorrow.
How does he know where to pick me up?
He said hed been watching us, making sure were alright.
He actually said hes stuck to us now, unlikely to ever detach.
