“Gee, Jake certainly says a lot, doesn’t he?” Jim suddenly sounded less than happy.
“Oh, Daddy. I know you’re worried about me becoming a model, and Mom, but I loved it and you can always talk to Jake about it at the wedding.”
“I don’t think I’ll be thinking of your future as a super model on my wedding day, sweetie.” Jim smiled again, at Lizzie’s enthusiasm if nothing else.
“But he may be moving out here so there will be more chances to talk to him,” Dan revealed innocently.
Tasha felt her heart sink when Jim looked across at her, this particular nugget of information wiping the smile from his face again. Her heart sank to her boots as Lizzie made another revelation.
“Oh yes, I’d almost forgotten about that. How cool will it be if Jake moves to New York? Maybe when Gerry comes out for the wedding he’ll move over here too.”
“Gerry is coming to our wedding?” asked Jim, obviously surprised, or shocked.
“I invited him last week, but I don’t think he has decided yet.” Tasha hoped she was managing to hide her nervousness.
“I suppose that will depend on Kara and Lottie, but mainly Kara,” said Pippa almost thinking aloud. She laughed at Tasha. “I still can’t believe you invited Kara and Lottie too.”
Jim stared at her disbelievingly, but appeared to be masking anything else in front of the others.
“So what do we all want to do tonight?” Tasha hoped to deflect Jim from the invitation of Gerry to their wedding.
“Aww, Mom called me while we were out and wanted us all to get together tonight, especially as Lizzie is staying here for a few days,” revealed Philip.
“Then maybe you should go to dinner with your mom and Lenny,” suggested Jim.
“What will you do?” Lizzie asked with a pout.
“I don’t know. Whatever we want to, but you should go and see your mom if you’re staying here this week,” Jim told her.
“But I want to stay with you two, and Dan and Pippa.” Lizzie pouted even more now.
Jim got to his feet, frowning. “Lizzie, maybe I didn’t make myself clear. You are going to have dinner with your mom and Lenny tonight, and Philip will be going with you. Call her now to confirm, oh, and be happy and gracious about it.” He then turned to Dan and Pippa. “You two have a think about what you want to do tonight; dinner, a movie, bowling, whatever you want.”
Pippa smiled at him as Dan, and a little nervously said, “Okay, thanks.”
Jim then turned his attention to Tasha. “A word?”
Although it sounded like a question she knew it really wasn’t.
“Now?” she asked, playing for time.
“Yes, unless there is somewhere else you need to be.”
“Nope.” She nervously got to her feet.
“My office.” There was a sharpness to his voice as he strode across to the house.
Nobody spoke until Jim disappeared into the house.
“Are you in trouble?” asked Juan laughing.
“Not sure, maybe. I hadn’t told him about Jake or about me inviting Gerry to the wedding.”
“Sorry,” said Dan and Lizzie in unison making each other laugh.
“No problem—” Before Tasha could say any more the sound of Jim’s voice interrupted them.
“Tasha. Now. Please,” he called from the house.
