Chapter 27
Chapter
Twenty-Seven
DADDY ISSUES
Neve
“Are you sure you don’t mind having my parents at your place? I mean, we could have done it at mine. I still have three months left on my lease,” I ask Jack as he chops some veg and then tosses them in a pan.
“You barely have a kitchen and you don’t have a table,” he points out.
“I have sofas,” I defend.
“Your parents sat on the sofa with their dinner on their laps?” he asks fighting a smirk.
“Fair point. Is there anything I can do to help?” I ask.
“Actually, could you check on the lamb?” Jack asks.
“Sure.” I walk around the counter and open the oven. “Lamb, how are you feeling? You okay?” I ask the joint of meat that is sizzling in the oven. “He says he is fine,” I tell Jack.
Jack hooks his arm around my waist and nips the crook of my neck.
“Smart arse. Now get out of my kitchen,” he orders, whipping my behind with the towel as I go.
I am a terrible cook. I have no desire to learn to cook either.
Why bother when I can order anything I want to my door.
Or I can buy a ready meal that does all the hard stuff for me.
I save on a lot of stress and a lot of washing up. It’s a win-win.
“Will Nanny and Grandad like my dress?” Hope asks twirling.
I turn to face her and smile at her cuteness.
She is just too much. “My beautiful girl, they will love it and they will love you. You look spectacular,” I compliment her, kissing her head.
She’s put on a flowered head scarf to hide her hair loss.
We went shopping and she now has a different head scarf to match every outfit.
She even demanded she got one just in case she meets the Queen.
The buzzer sounds and I stand, letting out a slow breath. I’m not nervous about seeing my parents. I’m nervous about surviving seeing my parents for such a long period of time. Two hours max before their snide remarks and digs become an issue.
I walk over and press the button to buzz them in.
Seeing them both on camera I watch my mum brushing whatever imaginary dust is on my dad’s shoulders.
She jumps when the buzz sounds to allow them in, then practically shoves Dad through in a panic like she only has a ten second window to get in the building.
I laugh and open the front door, waiting for the elevator doors to open.
The elevator pings and my parents emerge looking everywhere.
I believe my dad even knocks on the wall as he passes, checking to see if the building is safe or not.
Who knows? Although my dad has zero construction knowledge he likes to pretend he knows what he is talking about.
Mum smiles brightly as she pulls me in for a hug. “Well this is a very posh building, isn’t it Derrick?”
“Yes it seems like a sound structure for a new build,” he comments walking in. I place a kiss on his cheek but he’s too busy assessing the apartment.
“Dad, this building is an old converted factory. The actual building is like a hundred years old,” I point out.
“Well yes, I knew that but this is all new. Therefore it’s a new build. You know you should do your research before making such comments. I’ve taught you better than that,” he lectures, like I was the one making an error. I clench my teeth and smile.
“Sure thing Dad,” I state.
“Oh my word, Derrick.” Mum lets out a sob.
I smile and walk over to Hope, taking her hand in mine. “Mum, Dad, this is Hope,” I introduce. My mum’s eyes fill with love and emotion. I even spot my dad’s eyes go soft.
Hope being the ever confident child she is steps forward. “Hello Nan and Grandad.” She hugs them both around their waist.
“Aren’t you just the most beautiful little girl I’ve ever seen,” Mum beams.
Hope curtseys. “Thank you. Come see Jack’s TV. It’s huge! I’m watching Lilo and Stitch. Do you like Lilo and Stitch?” she asks, taking my mum’s hand and leading her into the living area, not giving her a choice in the matter.
Dad stands awkwardly with his hands in his pockets. “Let me get you a drink Dad.” He nods and follows me over to the kitchen area where Jack is still cooking up a storm in kitchen.
“Hey Derrick, good to see you,” Jack greets, shaking Dad’s hand.
Dad perches on the stool while I pour him an ale. His favourite ale I got in especially.
“It’s an impressive place you got here. Clearly you have been a smart man with your money,” Dad compliments.
“I was lucky,” Jack adds.
“No luck about it son, you’ve clearly done things the right way.
You’ve worked hard, got to a high level in your career and you are reaping the rewards from it.
” Dad pauses, sipping his ale. “Your parents taught you well. I mean, I tried with this one but in one ear and out the other. Just like her mother. Still at least you’re a woman, it means you can marry into it,” Dad adds before taking his drink over to the living area to join Mum and Hope.
I stand there with the bottle of wine in my hand, wondering if it’s worth the prison sentence to hit him over the head with it.
Jack places his hand over mine before loosening my grip on the bottle. “Easy there, Ronnie Kray. It’s just dinner. Do not listen to what comes out of his mouth,” he whispers in my ear before he kisses my neck. “You’re an incredible, beautiful and intelligent woman. Ignore him,” he compliments.
I turn my head looking up at him. “Why couldn’t I have found you twenty years ago? I could have done with your support when growing up.”
“Because I went to an all boys school and if you were at that school we wouldn’t be doing things like we did in the layby,” he points out.
“Good point, you will just have to deal with my emotionally fractured self as I am.” I shrug.
“Only makes you more interesting.” He smiles before kissing me.
“Hhm, sorry darling,” Mum interrupts.
We break the kiss and Jack reaches his hand in greeting to my mum. “Sorry Sandra for not greeting you earlier but I’ve been busy in the kitchen.”
“Oh no apologies needed. Um, Hope has asked me to ask you how long until dinner will be as she is starving.” Mum smiles.
“Hey your ladyship, ten minutes until it’s ready,” he shouts across to Hope.
“Roger that!” she hollers back.
“Let me pour you a wine Mum.” I smile as I pour her a glass. “Come on, let me show you the balcony,” I say, handing her a glass of wine.
We walk out onto the balcony and she sighs. “Oh isn’t this lovely.”
“It is,” I agree.
We stand out there for a moment until I shiver in the cool air. “Come on, let’s get back inside. It’s getting cold,” I suggest.
“One moment.” Mum stops me.
“I wanted to say to you how sorry I am, truly. I know what your father and I can be like. Well especially your father but I am trying to train him to be better. It’s something I should have done a long time ago, rather than just putting up with it for an easier life.
It was selfish of me. I know some of the things he says can be hurtful but I want you to know that he and I love you so much and just by spending five minutes alone with Hope I know that you are an incredible mother.
She is the most beautiful child and she is a credit to you,” she says softly.
I try not to look shocked but I think this is the nicest thing my mum has ever said to me.
“Now, come on, let’s get inside this wonderful apartment, so clean and tidy.
I know Jack must hire a cleaner because it certainly isn’t you that cleans. ” She laughs. And there is my mother.
We survived dinner. Jack had to educate my dad on what asparagus was.
Or in my dad’s words, they’re just yuppie vegetables.
Nothing wrong with good old carrots and cabbage and why don’t our age group eat marrow.
I had to hold my gag reflex at the mention of marrow, the years of being forced to eat that crap has scarred me for life.
I told them I would ring them with updates on Hope while she was having her treatment and tell them when they could visit.
Hope gave them a list of things they could bring for her that would help make her feel better.
In Hope’s defence my mum asked and when you ask a four year old what would they like as a gift, you better be prepared to receive a list.
It's late at night and Hope and Jack are fast asleep. I can’t sleep knowing what tomorrow will bring.
I sit wrapped in a blanket, overlooking the Thames at night, the lights from the buildings in the distance.
It’s nice here, quieter than I imagined.
It is more central. Although I can’t help stare at anyone that walks by wondering if I’m about to spot them in the act of dumping a body.
My phone pings next to me, making me jump. Who the hell is up a 3 am?
Jack: come back to bed
Me: Can’t sleep
Jack: who said anything about sleeping? ;)
I smile and shake my head. Any other time I would be sprinting back to bed, not tonight. Tonight my mind is elsewhere. My phone pings again.
Jack: tea or coffee?
Me: don’t be silly, go back to sleep.
He doesn’t reply and the next thing I know the sliding door opens and he walks out in his sweats and a hoodie carrying two steaming mugs.
“I made you camomile tea. Figured you’re already anxious about tomorrow so this may help a little.
Although if you change your mind and want to take your anxiety out on me we have about three hours until the alarm goes off,” he, says placing the mug down and kissing the top of my head, taking a seat on the chair next to me.
Placing his feet up on the chair, he sips his tea and looks out at the night sky.
He doesn’t say anything, he just sits there with me.
He knows I will talk if I want to, but at this moment in time I just want to sit enjoying the view and silence.
We sit there together until sunrise, watching the sun come up. The bright yellow and warm oranges lighting up the morning sky is one of the most beautiful sights I’ve ever seen.
Jack’s alarm starts to go off and he gets up. Stopping next to me he tilts my chin up and places a soft lingering kiss before walking inside. I take a deep breath and close my eyes briefly before standing and following him inside.