Page 50 of Coming Home to Hope Street

‘It was a surprise.’ Pip lowered her eyes as she spoke. Even she knew the excuse was a feeble one.

‘It was that, all right.’ Livvy sat down on the bed beside her.

‘He’s my dad. I wanted to see him.’

‘Why didn’t you ask me to arrange something? We could have gone to Manchester for the day. I would have walked around the shops while you caught up with him.’

‘I want to see him every day, not just as and when. Or set times, even. Tilly sees her dad every other weekend and—’

‘Things are different between her parents. They’ve been divorced quite a while now.’

‘But you and dad aren’t.’ Pip folded her arms. ‘Which means you could get together again.’

‘It’s not that easy. I can understand you missing him, but you’re old enough to realise that couples fall out of love and often never reconcile.’

‘But you do still love each other.’

Livvy groaned. ‘You’ve certainly inherited my stubborn streak.’

‘I can’t help that.’

‘You should have told me,’ she insisted.

‘You would have said no.’

‘To him coming to stay here, yes. Have you any idea how awkward you’ve made things? For instance, where’s he going to sleep? You’ll have to share a bed with me, and Dad can have your room.’

‘But that’s not fair!’ she protested.

‘Either that or he sleeps on the settee.’

‘Why can’t he sleep with you? He always has before when he’s come back.’

‘This time is different.’

‘How?’

‘It just is.’

‘If you give him another chance, I’m sure he’ll—’

‘He’ll what?’ Livvy snapped. ‘Turn into someone who’s responsible, reliable, and trustworthy?’

Pip frowned. ‘You should give him another chance. He came back to see you.’

‘He came back because you told him where we’re living. Do you think he would have got in touch if he had anywhere else to go?’

‘Yes.’ She wasn’t actually certain of that.

‘He’s staying a week, and that’s that,’ Livvy explained. ‘Now, Hannah has invited us for something to eat this evening. We’re going across there at seven.’

‘All of us?’

‘Yes. She wants to meet your dad.’

‘That’s going to be awkward.’

‘Why?’

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