Chapter 40
CHAPTER FORTY
T he second Dad opens the door and spots Noah beside me his face turns thunderous. ‘You are not welcome here. Please leave.’
I shake my head. ‘This situation has gone on for too long, Dad. It ends today.’
‘Please don’t do this, Alice. I’m angry enough.’
I reach out and touch his hand. ‘Dad, please do something for me. I’m not asking for much. Just listen to what we have to say. If not for me, do it for Lucas.’
Something flickers across Dad’s face, and it softens slightly.
‘Let’s not carry this argument on, because Lucas is getting upset about not being able to see you. That’s not fair,’ I say, blinking back tears. ‘He’s only six and he doesn’t understand why he can’t see his grandpa.’
Dad leaves the front door open and walks into the kitchen. I take Noah’s hand and lead the way.
In the kitchen Dad is sat with his head in his hands. I go to him and put my arms around him. At first, he’s resistant but I don’t let go. Eventually he turns and we hug each other. Tears stream down both of our faces.
‘What happened to us?’ Dad says, as he pulls back from my hug. His cheeks are damp and his eyes pink and watery.
I smile at him and wipe away one of his tears with my thumb. ‘We love each other far too much, that’s the problem.’
Noah holds his phone up. ‘Brian, there’s someone who wants to talk to you.’
Dad looks over and lets out a heavy sigh. Dave Coombes is on the screen via FaceTime. ‘Brian, it’s been a while.’ Dave scratches his now bald head. ‘If I don’t do this, I’m going to lose my son. I love him and I want him to be happy.’ Dave pauses to take a sip of water. ‘Nothing happened between Julie and me. She loved you, Brian. There was not a hope in hell for me. It’s time to bury the hatchet. Grief does strange things to us. I should have told you that her last words were that she would always love you and Alice.’
Dad’s sobs fill the air. I let him bury his face in my shoulder. ‘Dad, it is over. Nothing happened. There was no affair.’
‘Brian, I hope this will help you to build a bridge with my son whose only crime was to love your Alice with all his heart. Take care.’
Dad turns to Noah and with a trembling arm offers him his hand. They shake and smile at each other. ‘You did this for Alice – didn’t you?’
Noah nods. ‘I just want to make her happy, Brian.’
Dad sits up straight. He turns to me and kisses me on the head. ‘Please forgive me, Alice, I think I have been a bit silly. This past week since we argued has been awful. It has, however, allowed me to do a lot of thinking. I’m sorry for meddling in your relationship all those years ago.’
Standing up I grab the photo at the back of the shelf. ‘She always loved you, Dad.’
Tears stream down our cheeks as we gaze at Mum’s radiant smile.
I make us all a cup of tea and even find a box of biscuits in one of Dad’s cupboards.
‘Have you met my grandson, Lucas?’ Dad asks Noah.
He nods. ‘Lucas is a great kid, Brian. We have been playing football on the beach and Lucas has been showing me his moves.’
We all smile and drink our tea.
‘Dad, we need your help,’ I say, once we have all drained our cups. ‘My submission for the most Innovative Café Award has secured us a visit from the judges on Wednesday.’
‘Congratulations,’ says Dad.
‘We have a problem though. You know our cake supplier, Pam? Her ex-husband is her baker, and he’s broken both his arms. So she can’t supply our cakes.’
Dad looks at me. ‘Pam Reynolds – the one who used to work in my bakery?’
I nod. ‘Pam is in a mess and–’
He smiles. ‘You want me to help Pam?’
‘Would you?’
Dad pulls me into a hug. ‘I have a lot of making up to do to you, Alice. Do you have Pam’s number?’