“Yes of course, why?”
“I dunno. You just seem different I suppose and big diamonds and the all American stepdaughter—it’s not really you, is it?” Concern tinged his voice.
She stopped and sat on a log lying in the woods where she tried to honestly explain how she felt. “I don’t know anymore. I feel like two different people, one here and one over there and the big diamond is small compared to some of the ones I tried on.” She laughed as she recalled the afternoon in the jewellers. “And the all American stepdaughter is lovely, similar to Pippa and I’m very fond of her. But in answer to your question, I am happy. I really do love Jim and he takes care of me, too much really,” she admitted to Dan.
“How?” he asked confused.
“You know he’s a bit of a control freak, but I don’t mind that most of the time. He just wants to give me this perfect life. A life where I want for nothing and nobody can hurt me. I live in a huge house with more rooms than I know about. He has a planetarium, stables, tennis courts, a swimming pool, everything. If I let him I would never have to work again, or I could have my pick of the roles his studio could provide and as for money…pfft. I have more money than I have ever had, ever seen, but he doesn’t allow me to spend it because he prefers me to charge everything to his credit card. Oh, and he’s bought me a car, about a hundred grands worth of Audi sports car,” she revealed to a shocked Dan.
“Bloody hell!”
“Quite. And as for the big diamond, that cost more than the bloody car. I shit myself every time I leave the house, but he doesn’t give a toss about the cost of anything. He loves me and wants me to have the best of everything.” She smiled as she thought of Jim and realised that she was already really missing him.
“Well, I think my reservations were well founded. He sounds a complete bastard!” Dan’s wry reply made Tasha laugh loudly as she threw Banksy’s ball back into the woods.
“Yeah, well, maybe I should just give him the elbow then?”
“Maybe you should.” He gave her a playful nudge. “I just want you to be happy, Tash, you deserve that much.” Dan hugged her.
Tasha nodded because she did deserve to be happy and Jim made her happy, more than happy. Assuming her brother had finished voicing his concerns and dissecting her life she turned the tables. “Is Deb joining us today?”
“No, we’re not really together anymore. We’re still friends and we’ve taken a step back and we’ll see what happens…she was ready to be a bit more serious than I was. I think I’d like a bit of fun before I settle down. We’ve had enough seriousness with Mum and Dad, haven’t we?”
Tasha nodded her head.
“I only want you and Pippa to be happy and safe, Dan. It’s all I’ve ever wanted,” she told him, thinking they were as close to that as they’d ever been.
“I know that, Tash. We both do and you gave us that.” There was no doubt in his mind that his sister had done everything in her power to keep him and their younger sister out of harm’s way, although he’d put money on the fact that she’d done and been subjected to far more than she should have. He felt angry as he thought about their parents, knowing they would have used her younger siblings as Tasha’s Achilles heel.
Sensing his unease, Tasha reached across and patted Dan’s knee causing him to look back at her and smile before the sound of giggling caught them off guard followed by the sight of Lizzie and Pippa heading towards them.
“We could still hide,” suggested Dan.
Tasha laughed, remembering the last time she’d considered hiding from her sister. “Last time I was up here with Jim I was tempted to, but he thought that was cruel, until she actually joined us and called him old, rich guy.”
Dan laughed again as the girls reached them.
“Tash, I love the dresses Lizzie has shown me. I can’t wait til I come out with you next week,” said Pippa excitedly.
“I was thinking,” Lizzie started, “I may stay with you and Daddy while Pippa’s there and take her to the mall and show her to all my friends.” Lizzie sounded genuinely excited.
Tasha nodded, not thinking that plan would pose a problem. “Whatever you want, so long as it’s okay with your mum and dad, but we can sort the details out when we get home. Now let’s get back for dinner.” She leapt to her feet, called to the dog and began walking back towards the house with Banksy at her side.
****
Sitting on the sofa back at the flat watching a DVD, Tasha and Lizzie curled up together, totally at ease with each other which was a relief to Tasha as this was the first time they’d been properly alone. Alone where Tasha was the adult with total responsibility for the younger woman.
Lizzie seemed totally absorbed in the movie on the screen which gave Tasha an opportunity to think about dinner at her grandparent’s home.
After eating a meal of roast beef and Yorkshire pudding, Celia appeared with a huge apple pie, a jug of custard and some homemade ice cream.
Tasha was about to accept the offer of seconds when Paul said, “That’s our Nat, she’s always had a healthy appetite.”
It was an innocent enough comment, but it stopped her dead in her tracks. Did a healthy appetite equal greedy? Maybe she should consider her diet and lose a few pounds. She had declined the offer of more dessert.
Lizzie interrupted her thoughts with an apparently random question. “Will Pippa live with you and Daddy when you’re married?”
Tasha looked at her, shocked by the question and as she studied the expression looking back at her she wondered what was going on in Lizzie’s head.
