Lucas smiled. ‘Gran always did spoil me rotten.’
‘Just as it should be, that’s the role of a grandparent. I thought we’d go and see her in the morning, if that suits you?’
‘Sure. I’ll fit in with whatever you suggest.’ He wolfed down the rest of the cherry Bakewell and after passing him another, Ellis found himself on the receiving end of a penetrating stare.
‘I get the feeling you’re anxious about something,’ Lucas said. ‘You keep fiddling with your watchstrap and tapping the ground with your foot. Does it have something to do with what you mentioned in one of your texts, about having something important to tell me?’ A small frown appeared between his eyebrows. ‘You’re … you’re not ill, are you?’
From all outward appearances, Lucas didn’t give the impression of taking anything in – such as a passing comment in a text message – but that was to underestimate him. He was acutely aware of everything that went on around him, he just didn’t rush to respond in the way most people did.
‘I’m fine, and plan to live for a good deal longer yet,’ said Ellis. ‘But you’re right, there is something I’m a little anxious about. I’m concerned how you might react to what I’m going to tell you. The thing is, I’ve met somebody. Somebody rather wonderful. Her name is Naomi and I knew her from way back when. Long before I met your mother. We were at university together. I couldn’t believe it when our paths crossed again right here on the beach. Since then it’s been … well … it’s been amazing. After your mother, I never thought I’d meet anyone who meant—’
‘Whoa, take it easy, Dad!’ interrupted Lucas with a laugh. ‘No need to give me the whole smoochy love story in one breath.’
Ellis felt himself relax and took a sip of his tea. ‘Sorry,’ he said. ‘Nerves had the better of me.’
‘Why? Why would you think I wouldn’t be happy for you?’
‘Because you might think it was disrespectful to your mother. Disloyal even.’
‘Is that what it feels like to you? Do you feel guilty that you’ve met someone?’
‘No! Not at all.’
‘Then what’s the problem?’
Ellis laughed. ‘You haven’t changed, have you? You always do see things so clearly.’
‘No other way to be. But honestly, Dad, I’m happy for you. Is it serious?’
‘Yes. We plan to marry.’
‘Cool, as well as a stepfather I’m going to have a step mama. Any chance I can meet her before I fly home?’
Ellis smiled. ‘If you’re amenable to the idea, I thought the three of us could have dinner together this evening. But if you’d rather not, I’d understand.’
‘Give it a rest, Dad. Of course I want to check her out. Now give me the full low-down, though do me a favour, spare me any references to sex!’
Laughing, and deciding it was time to drink something stronger than tea, Ellis fetched a bottle of wine and some glasses and told Lucas everything.
When he’d finished talking, Lucas nodded. ‘So, to sum up, all is hunky-dory between you and Naomi, but potentially there’s a problem with your future evil stepdaughters who don’t fancy you usurping their beloved daddy’s place in their affections. I’m not sure I like the idea of them as my stepsisters.’
‘They’re not evil, they’re just reluctant to accept such a huge change. And really, it’s only Martha who is proving resistant. Their father died a couple of years ago, and for her it probably feels much too soon for her mother to be contemplating marriage again.’
‘Can I meet the sisters while I’m here? After all, if we’re to be family, meeting them before the actual day of your wedding might be preferable. When do you plan to tie the knot?’
‘We haven’t got that far yet. The more immediate plan is for me to move in next door with Naomi. Then we’ll think about the details of marrying. I’m quite happy to be led by what Naomi wants.’
‘Which means she’ll be led by her daughters.’
‘Not necessarily, although understandably she wants to be sensitive to their feelings, especially as they’ve both just announced they’re pregnant. Do you really want to meet them, and their partners?’
Lucas shrugged. ‘Yeah, why not? I’m not flying home until Monday evening. Maybe I can talk them round. I can be very persuasive when I want to be. And don’t forget, I was in their shoes when I was a kid. I knew all the tricks to play on you when you became my newly minted stepdad.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘Guilt presents! I could get you to buy me more or less anything I wanted.’
Ellis laughed. ‘You conniving little sod!’
