“I thought you might appreciate some help, love. Patrick can answer any medical questions we have and I know I’m not as helpful as I was.”
“Do you really thinkthatmatters to me?”
“Who was at the door?”
Sophie bursts into the room, and I freeze.
The moment Patrick sees her will be burned on my brain for the rest of my life.
Her eyes widen, and she looks at me.
I shoot a glance at Patrick. His jaw is set, his eyes fixed on Sophie’s face.
“Sophie. This is Patrick. He’s an old friend of your mother’s.” Mark swoops in, and relief floods my system because I don’t know if I could have found the words.
“Hi.” She breathes out loudly, and I know, oh God I know.That’s the effect he has on women. She’s going to hate me when she finds out he’s her father.
“He’s staying with us for the weekend.” Mark meets my worried gaze. “Patrick’s a doctor, too. So if we’ve got any questions, he’s here to help with those.”
She nods before shifting her gaze back to me. “What's for dinner?”
“I’m going up the road for fish and chips soon. Want to come for a ride?” Mark asks.
Sophie beams. “Yes. Can I get a donut?”
He chuckles. “You can get whatever you want, sweetheart.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
Patrick seems to deflate at her words, but I can’t cope with this right now. It’s difficult enough having him in my house—what on earth is Mark thinking?
“I guess you’d better come in.” I motion for Patrick to move forward, and he steps through the door, gym bag in hand.
“You didn't know?” he asks.
I shake my head. “No. It’s a surprise.”
“Not an unpleasant one, I hope.”
Mark moves out of the corner of my eye, and I glance at him as he watches Patrick and I interact. What was he thinking?
“Just unexpected.”
Mark grabs his car keys and pecks me on the cheek. I give him a look as if to say, ‘I'll talk to you later.’
“Come on, Soph. Let’s go and get dinner.”
We stand in silence as the two of them leave the house, Sophie giving Patrick one last look before she goes.
The door closes with a soft click.
“I’m sorry if you weren't expecting me. Mark really wanted me to come, and I couldn’t say no given the circumstances. If you want me to go and stay in a hotel, I will.”
I let out a sigh. “No, it’s fine. We’ve got a spare room and if having you around makes him happy, I can make it work.”
“How’s he doing?”
His question catches me by surprise. I was sure the first thing out of his mouth would be something about Sophie, but I’d rather talk about Mark than the past right now so it doesn’t upset me.
