An (Un) Romantic Comedy by Phoebe MacLeod
Author:Phoebe MacLeod [MacLeod, Phoebe]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Boldwood Books
Published: 2023-03-13T16:00:00+00:00
17
âThat was delicious, Poppy, thank you,â Steve says as we finish eating.
âIt was only a few things from the fridge and a salad,â I reply. âNot exactly Cordon Bleu.â
âIâve never been much of a cook, but Iâm pretty good at washing-up. Why donât you go and relax, and Iâll bring you a coffee in a bit?â
âThere isnât much to clear up. Iâll give you a hand.â Iâm thinking we could have a bit of a chat while we wash up, and then Iâll have something besides Charlie Pottle to report back to Rose.
âIâd feel more comfortable if you were out by the pool keeping an eye on these two.â Steve indicates his daughters. âI donât want them swimming without adult supervision.â
âIâm sure Sarah wouldnât mind watching them. Youâre not going to go in the pool, are you, girls?â
Both of them shake their heads solemnly.
âSee? Itâs all fine,â I tell him. âSarah, Freddie, take the girls and keep a close eye on them. Nobody is to go in the pool, OK?â
âYeah, yeah, we get it,â Freddie drawls. âCome on, you lot.â
As they troop out after him, Steve and I start to clear the table. Nowâs my chance.
âSo, Steve,â I begin, âhow are things? Rose says youâve been a bit preoccupied lately. Is everything OK?â
Instantly, I can tell Iâve said the wrong thing. Steveâs whole demeanour changes in an instant. Heâs suddenly oozing tension from every pore and, when he looks at me, his face is blank.
âIâm fine,â he says tightly. âI donât know what Rose is talking about.â
âIf you donât mind me saying, you donât look fine. I know itâs none of my business, butââ
âYouâre right,â he snaps. âItâs none of your business. Look, Poppy, thank you for making lunch and everything, but Iâd honestly be much happier clearing up on my own.â
âOK. Sorry, I didnât mean to make you uncomfortable.â
He sighs. âNo, Iâm sorry for biting your head off. The truth is that I have got a lot on my mind at the moment, but itâs nothing you can help with. Thanks for asking, though.â
âIâll leave you to it,â I tell him, and head out to join the others. Iâve never seen him like that before, and Iâm glad I didnât bring up the conversation I had with Olivia; heâs obviously in no fit state to deal with his daughterâs issues as well as his own. At least I can tell Rose that I tried now.
The girls have been as good as their word, and are currently watching something in the TV room with Freddie. Sarah has taken up position on her sun lounger again, and her earbuds are in place, so I turn my attention to my upcoming stay with Sam. It was a bit impetuous of me to suggest it, and now Iâve either got to be up front about where Iâm going to spend the night, with all the accompanying recriminations, or Iâll have to sneak out after dinner and hope Iâm back early enough in the morning that nobody realises Iâve been out all night.
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Satire |
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