part0007

It took 25 minutes to get to the house, both were surprised at how easy it was to be together, there was no awkwardness, it was like they had known each other for years. Before they knew it, they had arrived. Emma and now Rob’s home was a large modern detached villa painted white, with a double garage. The drive was large and mono blocked. Mia drove the car into the driveway and parked it in front of the garage.

As Steph got out of the car her father appeared through the front door, scarcely allowing her to get out the car before she was enveloped in a large hug lifting her off her feet. Her father was a large man, 6 foot 3 and despite her 5 foot 11 she always felt small next to him. When he let her go, she took in his appearance, the changes were instantly obvious. Gone were the slacks and woollen jumpers over a shirt and tie, replaced by cream chinos and a tee-shirt and deck shoes. His hair was in a more fashionable style, no longer a side parting, and there was no sign of the glasses he previously relied upon, suggesting contact lenses or she knew he wouldn’t be able to see. While slightly taken aback by the changes, she had to admit he looked years younger, the best that he had for some time and the happiest. Emma was obviously a good influence.

Suddenly her dad stepped back, and he pulled Emma towards him, introducing her. Steph liked her on sight, she was about 5 foot 6, slim with short silver hair, and wore navy jeans and a white cotton blouse, Steph could immediately see where Mia got her blue eyes. Emma was attractive, her face barely lined, except with laughter lines, she looked a decade younger than her 60 years. Her eyes warm and welcoming.

“So, this is the Steph that I’ve heard so much about. Hi, I feel like I know you already.” Steph put out her hand and Emma took it but used it to pull her in for a hug. “She’s even lovelier than you described Rob.” Steph would have to get used to that, her mum only ever addressed him with his full name, as Robert. “Come on in, I always think travelling is really tiring, even though you spend much of it sitting down. I’ll show you your room first, so you can freshen up if you want, the kettle’s on.”

Her dad looked around. “Where’s your case love?

Mia appeared next to them. “I already put it in her room mum.”

“Thanks darling.”

Her room was a good size, with a double bed, a chest of drawers, bedside tables and a built-in wardrobe, with space for her to hang her clothes. It was tastefully decorated in shades of blue. It didn’t take long to unpack, and she headed downstairs, following the voices to find them in a large conservatory attached to the kitchen.

Mia insisted on giving her a quick tour of the house, whilst Emma and her dad finished up the dinner, this included the garage.

“Wow is that your bike?” Steph walked towards it. “You didn’t mention it was a Harley.”

Mia walked up behind her, impressed she had recognised it. “Yes. You can sit on her if you want.”

Steph could see the pride and love in her face when she looked at her bike, no wonder it was beautiful. A metallic red, its chrome shone like new, she could see her reflection in it. “God it’s immaculate I don’t dare.”

Mia watched Steph, happy that she appeared in awe. “Ever been on one?”

“Motorbikes yes, I’ve hired mopeds on holiday risking death at every turn, been on the back of a couple of friends’ motorbikes, but nothing like this, it’s beautiful. Must be some work to keep it like this, I can see my face in the chrome.”

Yes, it’s my baby what can I say. I’ll take you for a ride some time if you like, show you what it can do.” She winked at her.

“Yes please.” Steph grinned and Mia smiled inwardly at her enthusiasm.

They were interrupted by Emma calling them. “Girls, that’s dinner ready.”

“Great I’m starving.” Steph had worked all morning and then it had been a rush for the plane across the London underground system. The queue for the check-in desk was long too, leaving her plan to grab a sandwich at the airport failing miserably. The coffee and dry tasteless cake on the plane that accompanied her coffee hadn’t even got close to satisfying her hunger.

Mia led them to the dining room, where a table was laden with food. Emma had made a chicken curry, with rice, nan bread, chapatis and dips and Steph’s mouth watered just looking at it. She tucked in eagerly. “Emma this is great, thanks, but you shouldn’t have gone to so much trouble.”

“It was no trouble I love cooking.” She reached out and took Rob’s hand. “And it’s great to have people to cook for again, I’m glad you’re enjoying it.”

Steph smiled, again she was struck by the changes in her dad, who she’d always thought of a meat and two veg man but was now heartily tucking into the curry. It was strange seeing him affectionate to Emma too, but she hoped she would get used to it.

“So, Steph tell us about you? You’re in IT I believe?”

“Yes, although I don’t want to bore you stupid, I tend to get carried away until I see people’s eyes glazing over. Basically, I work for myself, doing contract work. I design apps.... applications.”

“Well I know what these are at least, and you enjoy it?”

“Very much, although setting up my own business over the last 2 years has been tougher than I imagined it would be, not that I expected it to be easy.” Looking around at this domestic scene somehow reminded her of all she missed.

“Well if you enjoy it that’s what counts.”

“Yes, I do, very much.”

“She’s been very successful haven’t you Steph?” Rob almost glowed with pride.

Steph looked embarrassed at her father’s comments, although it was nice that he was proud of her, both her parents had been, although sadly her mum had not seen much of her success. “I do okay.”

Emma sensed her embarrassment. “What else do you do?”

“Socially I mean, interests, hobbies. What do you like to do outside work?”

Steph thought for a moment. “Well I swim, meet friends that sort of thing.”

Suddenly her dad spoke. “How is Beth, I thought you might bring her?”

Steph hesitated, she knew she should have told her dad before now. “Actually, dad we’re not together anymore.”

“Really, since when?”

“The last few months.... I thought you had enough to deal with dad.... ah sorry.” Steph realised she had been about to refer to her father’s grief, which wasn’t the best idea given the circumstances, she looked at the floor, her face reddened.

Suddenly Emma touched her arm. “Steph, please don’t be embarrassed to mention your mother. We speak about your mum and my husband James regularly, and we always will. Your dad and I love each other very much, but that doesn’t make us forget about our pasts, and it never will, please believe that.”

“Oh... okay.” Steph wasn’t comfortable with the level of emotion being displayed at their first meal together and sought to change the subject. “Anyway, Beth and I just didn’t work out, she moved out, it wasn’t acrimonious, we just weren’t to be. I’ve no regrets.”

Rob smiled. “I’m sorry darling, I liked Beth, she was a nice girl.”

Steph was anxious to change the subject. she didn’t want to discuss the end of her relationship, particularly in front of Mia, who was now gazing at her intently. “Anyway, enough about me, I want to know about you too.” She looked at Emma and Mia as she spoke.

The next 40 minutes were taken up with Emma and Mia talking about their lives. Mia was back for a few months and after the wedding would go travelling again, she hadn’t decided where yet, by the sound of things she had covered much of the world, except Europe.

“Steph, Mia, please don’t feel you need to stay around us old fogies all this week, you’re young, go out and enjoy yourselves. Rob and I can occupy ourselves, we want you to get to know each too, so spend time together.”

Mia groaned, rolling her eyes. “God mum Steph has just arrived and already you’re wanting rid of us.”

“Mia, it’s not like that.”

“I know I’m just joking, so Steph we’ve got a free pass, what you you like to do? That’s if you’ve not got things planned.”

Rob interrupted. “Other than tomorrow Steph, I was hoping you would want to play some golf?”

“Well I’m a bit rusty dad, but yes that would be good, it would be nice to get out in the fresh air too.”

“Great, you’ll be easy to beat then.”

“Do you play Emma?”

“Well I didn’t, but your dad has been trying to teach me. He’s very patient.”

Rob chuckled. “I need to be.”

Steph smiled as Emma playfully hit him on the arm, and he pretended it hurt. It was good to see her father happy, she realised she hadn’t seen him laugh for some time. Golf had always been a big part of her dad’s life, and his main escape during difficult times, providing social contact as well as exercise. She was glad he was continuing with it, it was good that Emma was trying to get involved in his life too. Steph realised she liked her a lot already. Mia was right, they were good together.

“Actually, aside from me she’s taking lessons.”

“Well I realised how important golf was to him and I’d never see him otherwise. When he had the flu a few weeks ago and he couldn’t get out to play, God you’d have thought I had placed him under house arrest.”

Rob laughed. “Well you did.”

“Hm, yes walking around in the damp and cold would have really helped your chest” She glanced at Mia. “And nurse Sullivan there said so too so you know I’m right. Anyway how could I resist lessons, when I realised how gorgeous the club pro was how could I refuse. Have you not met him?”

Steph smiled. “No, not this one. The one I knew was a woman.”

“Well think tall, dark and handsome, about 26, oh and very motivating and attentive.”

Rob huffed. “Well we are paying him darling!”

They all laughed. “I think your safe dad it’s clear Emma only has eyes for you.”

After dinner Steph insisted on packing the dishwasher and tidying up and Mia helped her. “Mia I’m meeting up with some friends on Wednesday, if you would like to come, in fact Abby thinks she knows you from school.”

“Abby?” She thought for a moment. “Not Abby Docherty, cute with copper pigtails?”

“Well yes but she wears it loose and shoulder length now, she’s a hairdresser so very glam. I’ll look forward to hearing any juicy gossip you have about her, to use against her of course.”

Mia rolled her eyes. “Mm, she’s more likely to have some on me, but I’d like that if you don’t mind me tagging along when you haven’t seen your friends for some time.”

“It’s fine, we skype regularly, anyway they’re very nosy, they want to meet my sister to be too. Just remember though, you’ll see when you meet her, I need my ammunition. I’m counting on you.”