28
2016, FRANCE
‘It’s Dad.’ Kitty handed Bella the phone.
The pair of them exchanged a long, knowing look before Bella finally put the handset to her ear. ‘Hi, Dad,’ she said.
‘How’s my bride-to-be?’
‘Yeah, I’m good. Thanks. Nervous.’
‘It’ll be great.’
A silence bloomed between them, filling the gaps where the conversation should have been. ‘So,’ Bella said at last, her stomach contracting. ‘All ready for the flight?’
‘Yeah, about that, sweetheart.’ Her dad’s voice was heavy with awkwardness. ‘I’m not going to be able to make it, I’m afraid.’
‘Dad, it’s my wedding!’
‘I know. I know, honey. And I want to be there, believe me I do. It’s just things are a bit hectic here. You know how it is.’
‘But it’s my wedding… I know things are— I realise you have a lot going on there, but you said you’d be here, Dad. I mean we booked the tickets six months ago. And you know I said Linda and the boys were welcome too.’
‘I know. It’s just a bit too much. Tom’s got flu and Linda can’t take any more time off. Come on, you’ll have all your friends there, all of Pete’s family. You won’t even notice I’m not there.’
‘I will. Of course I will.’
‘Now, Bella,’ he said, his voice firmer. ‘You’re all grown up now. You have to understand that Tom and Lucas, they’re just little. They have to be my priority. You don’t need your dad there to have a great day. And I’ll come visit you later in the year maybe, if we can figure out the time off work.’
She was silent.
‘Bella? I’ve put some money across into your account. Buy yourself something pretty for the day. And I’d love to see some pictures, you know? I’m sure you’ll look beautiful.’
‘OK,’ she managed.
‘Atta girl. Now I’d better let you get on with preparing for the big day!’ he said, his voice generous and jovial again.
‘OK.’
‘So, bye then!’
‘Bye, Dad.’
As she hung up, Bella’s eyes met her sister’s and saw they were full of rage.
‘He promised he’d come,’ Kitty said.
‘It’s OK.’
‘No, it’s not. You know it’s not.’
‘I guess he’s right. I suppose we’re grown up now. We should stop— We don’t need him like we used to.’
Kitty shook her head. ‘I tell you what, when I have kids—’ She didn’t finish the sentence. But Bella knew. She reached forward and squeezed her hand.
‘Same.’
29
