Page 38 of The Law of Attraction

‘I know your family lives there,’ she says, both of us now scowling. ‘Tell me something Idon’tknow.’

I go back to leaning across the railing, which is now a hell of a lot cooler against my uncovered forearms in only a black T-shirt. ‘Don’t you have one of those tour books you can read?’

She shoves my shoulder again. ‘Be quiet.’

‘If I’m quiet I can’t tell you anything.’

‘Quit being a smart arse.’

‘All right, all right. Something historical. Let me see. Well, the South Beach Boardwalk you’re so desperate to see is also known as the FDR Boardwalk, named after Franklin Roosevelt.’ I talk her through the history of the island and New York Bay until we dock, surprising myself with the number of useless facts I’ve retained over the years.

We hang back until the main crowd has dissipated, then I carry both our bags out to the parking lot.

‘Drew, in case I forget to tell you, I had a lovely weekend. Thank you.’

I’m about to ask her if she stole that line fromPretty Womanwhen I see two small bodies hurtling toward us. I drop the bags and tell her, ‘Hold that thought.’ Then the bodies are throwing themselves at me.

Annalise hits me first, despite being younger than my nephew. ‘Uncle Drew.’

‘Drew-bew-smew.’ Timmy bounds into my legs.

‘Hey, kiddos.’ I fling my niece onto my hip, blowing her wispy, blonde curls from my face, and I ruffle my nephew’s hair. ‘Guys, this is Becky.’

‘Hi, Becky,’ Timmy says.

Almost sing-song, Annalise says, ‘Hi, Becky. Are you Uncle Drew’s girlfriend?’

‘Ooh, erm, no. Just his friend.’

She gives me a mock look of horror. Whether it’s being here with Becky, or having my niece and nephew around me, the scene makes me laugh from the pit of my stomach.

I set Annalise down on the ground and tell both kids to take Becky’s hands while we cross the parking lot. I carry the bags. Annalise is chattering away to Becky, who is her usual smiley self. Timmy, on the other hand, is talking to me.

‘Hey, Uncle Drew, Great Aunt Kathleen farted so loud after lunch, it woke up Great Uncle Geoffrey. Great Uncle Geoffrey had been snoring really loud. Grandpa was picking his nose too and Nanna caught him and she said…’

Christ. So it begins.

Glancing to Becky, I mouth, ‘You okay?’

She smiles and nods, then turns her attention back to Annalise.

I spot my dad’s red truck, then him standing beside it. His signature checked shirt is tucked into his signature stonewash jeans. His hair is gray-white, but he’s clinging to most of it. He’s not quite as tall as me but still a big guy, and somehow, my mother’s love of cooking hasn’t taken its toll on his waistline too much.

‘Hi, son.’

I plant a bag on the ground and offer my right hand. ‘Pop. How you doing?’

‘Not so well as you by the looks of it.’ He casts his eyes across my shoulder to Becky and the kids.

‘Pop, you know the deal.’

Ignoring me, he moves to Becky.

‘You must be the Becky I’ve heard so much about.’ Quite an exaggeration.

‘If Drew said it, I’m sure it’s all lies,’ she jokes. ‘You must be Drew’s dad.’

‘That’s right. Bill.’

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