Page 27 of Never Too Late
‘I don’t know about being too old. Fifty is the new thirty and all that. But I do agree about the games. You never were one to play games. It was one of the many things I loved about you. People know where they stand with you. Although I do think sometimes those same people walked over you.’ He dipped his head. ‘And when I look back, I’m ashamed to say that I likely did the same at times. I took you for granted far too often and I’m sorry for that.’
‘Water under the bridge. It was up to me to stand up for myself a bit more.’
‘You were a little firecracker when I first met you at school.’
‘Yes, I suppose I was. I was going to conquer the world!’ I said, laughter in my voice, but even I could hear the note of sadness in it.
‘You could have done too.’
‘Maybe.’
‘No maybe about it. You were fierce!’ He pulled a face. ‘Is that the right word? It changes so often, I can’t keep up!’
‘I literally have no idea but I like the sound of it so let’s go with that.’
He clinked his sparkling water against my wine and we drank to my past self.
‘I hated that Tomas bloke for taking that from you.’
I looked up at my ex. ‘What?’
‘You went away one person, full of determination and dreams, and came back another. A shadow of the one that went. It’s like he switched the lights off.’
‘May I remind you that you married that dull person?’
He shook his head and reached for my hand. ‘I never said you were dull. Not at all! I thought you were hot at school and I still thought you were hot when you came back from France. But you were different. More reserved. Less sure of yourself. He did that and I’ve never forgiven him.’
‘You never said anything.’
There was a sigh. ‘Never seemed the right moment before.’ Hugh glanced over to the window where we could see Sash still talking animatedly on the phone, her hands flapping around as she spoke. ‘Looks like it’s going well.’
‘Yes. Good.’
‘Do you know who it is, this brand?’
‘No idea. I’m sure she’ll tell us when she gets back.’
‘I’ll miss her.’
‘She’s already said she’s going to come back as often as you’re available to see you.’
His brow wrinkled, the sprinkles of silver through his blond hair hadn’t touched his eyebrows and they drew together.
‘When I’m available? I’m always available for Sash.’
I held up a hand. ‘Don’t get defensive with me. I’m telling you what she told me.’
‘Have I appeared uninterested in her? Has she said something to you?’
‘No, Hugh. You haven’t. Obviously, the Andes thing made communication a little patchy but she knows you’re allowed to have a holiday just as we all are.’
‘But she couldn’t tell me about Paris because I was away.’ He scratched his chin.
‘She’s fine. You are, and always have been, the best dad. We might have grown apart but you and her are two peas in a pod and always will be. Whatever, and whoever, comes along, she will forever be your little girl. And she loves that. She loves you.’
He glanced back at the window. Sash caught his eye, waved and did an excited thumbs up. The concern that had clouded his features moments ago dissipated like magic. The magic of a father’s love.
‘She’ll always be my little girl,’ he echoed.
