Chapter Seven #2
Then she realised Theeny was wearing fresh clothes, her favourite yellow overalls and white T-shirt with daisies on it. Plus she wore the stretchy lace headband with a bright yellow daisy that Theeny adored.
Dido sagged against the wall, imagining Panos being ordered around by their little girl as she chose her favourite clothes.
Their little girl.
For just over two years Theeny had been hers alone. No more.
As if on cue, Panos turned his head to look straight at her.
Maybe it was the shock of seeing the similarity between father and daughter, or perhaps the knowledge that nothing would ever be the same for her and Theeny.
Suddenly the strength Dido had prided herself on, which had kept her going so long, bled out of her.
Her knees grew unsteady, a tremor passed through her, making her glad she was leaning against the wall.
As she peered back at him she expected to see the same fury as yesterday. Or anticipation because whatever he did next would be difficult for her.
Instead his expression was shuttered. She didn’t know why, but that was more daunting than the expected fury.
‘Mumma!’ Already Theeny was sliding off his leg and onto the floor, her expression gleeful.
It was crazy how relieved Dido felt as her daughter toddled across the room to her. As if she’d feared her girl would be too wrapped up in her father to remember her mummy. Dido’s eyes prickled.
It was completely ridiculous. Yet it gave her a poignant hint of how a father might feel, discovering he’d been barred from his child’s life.
Something sharp twisted behind her ribs.
Dido sank to her knees and embraced her baby, receiving a smacking good morning kiss on her cheek. Then Theeny launched into rambling chatter, only some of which Dido took in. Dadda figured and so, surprisingly, did Baba.
Despite the stress crawling down her spine and through her stomach, she felt a flash of pride at how quickly her clever daughter had begun using the words.
She looked up to find Panos watching. This time the glint in his eyes was as cool and hard as volcanic obsidian. He might be besotted by their daughter but his feelings for Dido were anything but warm.
She breathed deep and reminded herself his hatred didn’t matter. She’d do whatever was necessary to look after her daughter. That was her priority and always would be. Which, for now, meant pretending everything was normal.
‘Come on, Pumpkin. It’s time for breakfast.’
* * *
‘You can’t be serious!’
Dido felt the world shift beneath her feet and was glad she was sitting at the tiny kitchen table nursing a mug of tea.
But of course he was serious. Every action Panos had taken today had been carefully considered.
First the quick and reassuringly simple procedure which would allow a paternity test between Panos and Athena.
Then the so-reasonable suggestion that an hour’s private conversation without distraction was in order. Thankfully her aunt had taken the morning off work, anticipating Dido needed support, so Flavia had bundled her excited great-niece into the pushchair with the promise of a trip to the park.
It had been only mildly alarming when a sleek black car, complete with brand-new child seat, had purred up to the front of the house to take them there. Panos had introduced the driver and bodyguard as if it were the most natural thing in the world to drive five blocks.
Flavia had raised her eyebrows and sought Dido’s opinion, but she’d nodded, knowing there was no choice.
Because Panos didn’t trust either of them not to run off with his daughter. In the circumstances Dido understood his caution, but it didn’t prevent her feeling hemmed in, as if anywhere she turned he’d find a way to interfere.
‘At least your staff are both female,’ she’d murmured as the car drove off. Her baby, excited by her first trip in anything other than public transport, had waved through the tinted window, unfazed as the car glided off, taking Dido’s stomach with it.
Beside her his broad shoulders shrugged. ‘She’s been brought up by women so it seemed sensible.’
Dido’s skin prickled. Her baby had taken to him in record time, vociferously demanding he accompany her, until she was distracted by the car.
Was it possible that father and daughter could bond so immediately? Or was it merely the allure of someone new and fun?
Dido was all too aware of the times when, exhausted, she’d zoned out while playing with Theeny, not giving her all the attention she wanted. Or insisted she sleep when she wasn’t ready, so Dido could concentrate on the mountain of work she needed to finish to pay the bills.
She looked at the mug she grasped so tightly. The milky tea rippled, betraying the tremor in her hands.
Finally she raised her head, meeting his enigmatic stare. ‘What you suggest is impossible.’
‘It’s not only possible but it’s going to happen. It’s not a suggestion. I’m taking Athena to Greece.’
The words dropped, clear and unrelenting, smashing any last hope she’d harboured that she might reason with him.
‘You can’t take my daughter from me!’
His expression didn’t change one iota. As if her protest was so negligible it had no effect. ‘Why not? You took my daughter from me.’
She’d known this was coming, yet faced with his implacable demand, it didn’t seem real, despite the terror spreading icy fingers through her veins.
He’d do it. He’d steal your baby.
He’d enjoy turning the tables on you.
‘Anyway, I’m not kidnapping her, or separating you, for now. I’m making a reasonable proposition. An extraordinarily generous proposition.’
‘There’s nothing reasonable about proposing Theeny and I relocate to Greece with you!’
He shook his head. ‘Only Athena is relocating permanently. She’ll live under my protection. You’ll stay while she acclimatises. If you behave, I may let you have a long-term place in her life.’