Page 38 of One More Day
She does a double-take.
‘Is that near the lighthouse?’
‘It sure is,’ I reply, marvelling at how she forgets nothing. ‘It’s just a short walk from the lighthouse.’
‘Cool.’
‘Yes, it’s very cool. It’s freezing, actually.’
She rolls her eyes at my attempt at a joke, then goes quiet.
‘Are you and Max … are you there byyourselves, Daddy?’ she asks, her eyes wide. ‘Not by yourselves atChristmas? Why did you not bring Helena?’
I choke back emotion at her concern, plus I’ve no idea how to explain it to her. WhydidI not bring Helena?
‘Well, I …’
Her lip trembles.
‘I don’t want you to be on your own, Daddy,’ she whimpers. ‘Not at Christmas. Not ever.’
‘No, no, don’t worry. I’m not staying on myownat Christmas,’ I say, quickly lifting my tone of voice to calm the tears that are filling her eyes. ‘I have Max.’
‘But he’s just a dog.’
‘Ah, now Max is more than just a dog. He’s my buddy.’
‘But he can’t talk to you.’
I need to think fast. I know by her face that she’s close to tears.
‘Well, there’s a very nice lady called Rose who is staying at the cottage too,’ I add, not sure where I’m going with this one. ‘Andshecan talk to me.’
I flounder at the irony. I’ve made a rule that we don’t actually ‘talk’.
‘She has a lovely black and white dog called George, so both Max and I have company. George and Max are already great friends. So, no need to worry. We’re not on our own at all here.’
When I say it like that, it does sound quite idyllic, even though my cosy description couldn’t be further from the truth. I haven’t seen Rose since this morning. So far, we’ve been doing very well to keep out of each other’s way.
‘Is Rose pretty?’
My eyes widen.
‘Um, yes, she is very pretty,’ I reply.
‘Is she anewfriend?’
‘Yes, she’s a new friend.’
‘A newgirlfriend?’
‘Er, well …’
I’m stumped by her question but I don’t get the chance to say anything at all. Rebecca is already shouting an update on my life to the rooftops.
‘Mum, Daddy has a new girlfriend called Rose and she has a dog called George!’
‘Rebecca, no, she isn’t my new girlfriend,’ I say, trying to keep up. I see Clodagh’s feet walk past again but this time they stop. ‘She’s a new friend. Not a girlfriend.’
