Family First- a Brett from Eden Lake story (2)
(baby photo is from Pinterest, I don’t own credit)
The bench creaked under the weight of them all, old wood splintering at the edges, half-rotten from years of rain and neglect. Smoke drifted lazily through the air, curling above their heads as 21 year old Brett lounged back, one arm slung across the bench back, his cigarette dangling from his fingers in laid-back fashion.
His cousins 19 year old Harry and 20 year old Ricky were arguing about something pointless, 24 year old Reece was half-listening, half-fiddling with his Nokia, and Brett’s best mate 21 year old Mark was just chuckling at whatever came out of anyone’s mouth. It was the usual- noise, banter, nothing serious. Lads being lads.
And then there was little Cooper. 12. The kid wouldn’t sit still for more than two seconds. He kept hopping up on the bench, then down again, kicking at stones, poking at Brett’s arm, wandering off, then coming straight back like a hyper little dog. He was the definition of child, and Brett was bored of it.
“Oi,” Brett muttered, flicking ash to the ground, smoke coming out of his nostrils and mouth as he spoke. “Pack it in, will ya?”
Cooper ignored him completely, climbing up onto the back of the bench now, arms out like he was balancing on a tightrope.
“Look at me!” He called out.
“No one’s lookin’, mate,” Ricky said dryly, not even glancing up.
Cooper jumped down again with a thud, right into Brett’s side. That did it.
Brett grabbed him by the hoodie. “C’mere then, divvy lad.”
He hauled his little cousin onto his lap; Cooper wriggled instantly like he’d been trapped.
“Get off!” He yelled through a laugh.
Brett tightened his grip on Cooper just enough to annoy him and bounced his knees a couple of times, jostling him. “You won’t keep still for a second, idiot. Not my fault aunty Mel’s left ‘ya with me.”
The others started laughing immediately.
“Look at him,” Mark snorted.
“Brett playin’ dad.” Harry joined in.
“Shut up,” Brett shot back, though he was half-smirking.
Cooper twisted around, scowling up at him. “Put me down, ‘ya big idiot. I’d rather be at home on my X-Box.”
That earned a louder burst of laughter.
“Ungrateful little-“ Brett cut himself off, then shoved him lightly off his lap. “Go on then. Little shit. Tell Mel I got bored.”
Cooper stumbled, caught himself, and ran off a few steps, muttering under his breath while the rest of them carried on laughing.
“Proper natural, you,” Harry said, wiping his eyes. “Give it a few years, yeah?”
“Yeah, yeah,” Brett muttered, taking another drag, though there was something faintly distracted in his expression now.
It didn’t last long. Because just then, Mark nudged Harry, who nudged Ricky, and suddenly the laughter died down into that quiet, knowing kind of attention.
“Oi,” Harry said, nodding toward the path ahead. “Ain’t that-“
Brett followed his gaze. And he froze. Tiffany.
Walking past like nothing had changed. Like five months hadn’t meant anything. But she wasn’t alone. There was a pram in front of her.
Brett’s cigarette paused halfway to his lips.
“Hey,” Harry added, a grin creeping in, though it faltered when he saw Brett’s face. “Is that yours?”
No one laughed this time. Brett stood up slowly, eyes locked on the pram as Tiffany tried- very obviously- to just keep walking.
“Nah…” he muttered, more to himself than anyone else. But his feet were already moving.
He crossed the distance quick enough to make her stop.
She sighed before even turning around. “Brett, not now-”
He glanced down at the pram. There was a baby boy. Small. Wrapped up. Sleeping. His stomach did something strange- tightened, dropped and twisted all at once. Something he wasn’t used to.
Tiffany hesitated. Just for a second. But it was enough. “Don’t,” she said quietly.
Brett let out a short, disbelieving laugh. “Don’t what? Don’t ask why you’re pushin’ around a-” He stopped himself, dragging a hand over his face. “Tiff? Mmm?…”
She finally looked at him properly then. And that’s when he knew.
“You’re joking,” he said, voice lower now and his teeth gritted. “You’re actually joking.”
“I was gonna tell you about him,” she said, but it came out weak. Like she knew it wouldn’t land as convincing.
“When?” Brett snapped. “When he’s what- five? Whose is he? In words.”
She flinched slightly at his demand. Behind him, the others had gone quiet. Even Cooper had wandered back and sat in Brett’s spot, sensing something different now; no more banter. Tiffany looked down at the pram, then back up at Brett.
The words hung there. Heavy. Final. Brett didn’t speak straight away. Just stared at her, like he was trying to make sense of something that didn’t fit in his head. A minute ago, they were all laughing and being lads. Taking the piss. Him tormenting Cooper.
Just like that he’d found out he was a dad.
His eyes flicked back to the pram. Then to Tiffany. Then back again.
She nodded. And just like that, everything shifted.
“I’ll ring you,” she said, but it didn’t sound like a promise.
“No, I’ll ring you when my head’s together,” Brett answered, before walking back over to the lads.
“You okay Brett?” Cooper asked him, looking up at him with eyes full of wonder.
“Yeah, Coops,” Brett replied through a whisper, ruffling the boy’s hair slightly before squeezing back in on the bench.
No one spoke. They didn’t need to…
Hope readers enjoyed! I’m hoping to follow this up with at least 2/3 more parts if it’s enjoyed ❤️❤️
@blissfulperc3o @whateyescantsee @stardancerluv
