She cleaned her plate of my lasagne twice, making the most delightful noises that landed on me with force and then made my chest ache because I knew this was it.
When we were tired, she blew out candles while I finished cleaning up. We met in the bathroom where I watched her wash her face and moisturise before we both brushed our teeth. The peace in the domesticity was something I had forgotten.
Abbey, never one for lots of clothes in bed, insisted on my stripped-off T-shirt but it was covered in pasta sauce, so I fetched another from my suitcase for her, which she described as ‘buttery goodness’. We hopped into bed, faced each other and she hooked a leg over me, and I had the perfect eight hours.
She made pancakes on Sunday morning and fantastic tea.
Ella messaged her, letting her know she was headed home … and that was it.
I waited for her tears, but they did not come. She was resolved and certain.
‘Nick, I’m only going to ask one thing of you,’ she said seriously.
‘What is it?’
‘I need you to help me by letting go, too.’
I nodded my head. A pit in my stomach. I knew exactly what she was planning on doing. I kissed her one last time and headed home.
***
There are rules to being a Northby. A code of conduct if you like. It was something we had developed over the years as a way of being able to not piss each other off too much. We were all we had. We had to stick together. Even Summer knows the rules.
Number One: Always be honest.
Number Two: Always ask for help if you need it.
Number Three: The business is our livelihood, and we must always act to protect it.
Number Four: Never let a Northby down.
Number Five: Nick is the boss.
I messaged them from the car saying that I needed help and they both responded quickly, as I knew they would. We were to meet in an hour, so I stopped in at a bottle store and bought their best whisky. A Northby did not confess to the breaking of several of the rules without a gift.
I opened the door to my apartment and was met by footsteps pounding towards me and my child launching herself from approximately two metres away into my arms.
‘Daddy.’
‘Hello, my little beauty,’ I said, my voice muffled by her neck.
‘How was Melbourne?’
‘Very …’ I searched for a word. ‘Tiring.’
‘Dad, do you think you could buy me this game I want on my phone?’
‘Of course. Just get it.’
‘Okay.’
‘Wait, wait. Sum, it isn’t violent, is it?’
‘Not really.’
That would have to be good enough for now. I had other things on my mind. ‘Okay.’
She ran off, and I had the feeling I’d been swindled. My sister was standing there, shaking her head.
