New Balls Please (Ball Games #3) Read Online Free PDF

perfectly around having kids.
    She puts her bags down on one of the tables and hands me a white carrier bag full of chocolate bars. Of course, I stock her chocolates here. The bars shaped as teddies, hearts, and footballs, sell fabulously. After yet another argument about me paying her (she doesn't think I should because she gets to use the centre for free), I shove the money into her bag and tell her to shut up. She loses the argument every week when I say ‘but the money isn't for you, it's for Trey.’ She can't argue with that.
    I bring a coffee over to her table and seat myself on one of the other chairs.
    'How are you then? Good weekend?'
    'Yeah. I took Trey to Clifton Park and he had a go on a few rides. It was nice. You?'
    'My mum absconded to Center Parcs and my dad refuses to fetch her home.'
    Beth almost spits out a mouthful of coffee. 'What?'
    I fill her in on the details.
    'So, any ideas on how to sort the parentals?'
    Beth raises her eyebrows. 'Yeah, cos I'm wonderful at relationships, aren't I? I can see why you'd think I'd be able to help.'
    I stick my tongue out at her. 'You've got parents haven't you? What would you do if it was yours?'
    'My parents are dull. They go to work, then sit at home and watch TV all night. They kid-sit Trey every Friday night. It's all a boring routine.'
    'Safe though.' I sigh. 'Whatever’s going on in my mum's mind, I don't know.'
    'Have you called her?'
    'No. My dad has but apparently she's not answering.'
    'Well, try her phone now.'
    I chew on my lip for a bit. 'Okay.'
    While I press the keypad to connect to my mum's phone, Beth grabs a local newspaper from further up the table.
    'What?' My mum's tantrum voice echoes down the line.
    'Mum. At last. Dad's been trying to phone, but the connections been off or you haven't answered.'
    'Well, I thought you could all see what it would be like without me, seeing as none of you were bothered when I was actually at home.'
    'What are you talking about?'
    'Thursday night? No phone calls from my children to see how I am. It hurt, Camille.'
    'We did ring you. Dad put your phone on quiet so you could sleep. He knew you'd been up all night coughing. He just forgot to tell you.'
    There’s a pause. 'God, that man is stupid.'
    I feel tension in my jaw. 'That man was looking out for you, to make sure you got the sleep you needed.'
    There's another pause. 'So is he going to call me then?'
    Now there's a pause on my end.
    'Well?'
    'Err, no, Mum. He's offended that you've left him and spent the holiday savings.'
    'Oh.'
    'He's also called the bank and stopped your credit and debit cards.'
    'He's done what?'
    I have to hold the phone away from my ear because the shouting is so loud.
    'That complete and utter bastard. After all I've done for him? Right, well I'm staying here for the rest of the week. I've got to go, Camille, my new friend has just come out of the changing room. If you see your father tell him if he doesn't reinstate my cards, I will never give him oral again.'
    'Lalalalalalalalala. Mum, I am not going to say that to him. Oh my God, that's so inappropriate. You've scarred me for life.'
    'How are you anyway? You and Dylan okay?'
    'Great, Mum, thanks.'
    'Only I can highly recommend love eggs. They take a bit of getting used to—'
    I need bleach for my ears. 'I've got to go, Mum. I'm glad you're okay. Please ring Dad and sort out this nonsense.'
    'Sorry, Cam, but no. The ball is in your dad's court.'
    The line disconnects.
    Beth looks up from her paper. 'That went well then?'
    'Yup. All I am after that call is psychologically disturbed. She recommends love eggs if you’re interested.'
    Beth bursts out laughing. 'Oh my God, your mother. Actually, I might have to buy some, seeing as I'm not getting any.'
    I scan the page of the newspaper Beth has open.
    Golf lessons at Rother Valley Country Park.
    'Hey. Are you thinking of getting Trey lessons?'
    'Wh-what? No. I was just looking.'
    I drag the paper over. 'Gosh, I remember your dad taking