‘That’s okay. I won’t say anything. But you know, people would be more understanding than you’d think.’ Arthur looked doubtful. ‘And there’s one person I know who would be relieved to hear about you and Murray, and that’s his daughter – Dawn.’ Blythe pulled a pen and pad from her bag and jotted down Dawn’s number from her phone. She passed it to Arthur. ‘When you’re ready.’
He nodded. ‘I miss him terribly,’ he said, his lip wobbling slightly.
‘We all do,’ said Blythe, touching his arm ‘If you ever want to chat about him just call me.’
Arthur managed a weak smile. ‘I’d like that.’
‘Me too,’ said Blythe.
*
Thanks to the port, Blythe was feeling quite festive when she walked into her house. That feeling disappeared when she saw who was waiting for her. The sight of her father standing in the kitchen doorway was a surprise. Belatedly, she greeted him. ‘Dad. Hi, merry Christmas.’ She tried to hug him; he kissed her cheek. ‘I already received your card and present,’ she said, trying to work out the reason for the Christmas Eve visit.
‘My PA thought a label maker might be useful and the book on setting goals was my idea.’
‘Oh, I’ve not opened them yet.’ Blythe couldn’t hide her disappointment.
‘Anyway, to business,’ he said, pulling out his phone. ‘Everything is digital these days. I’ll send you the link to the document and—’
Blythe waved a hand to interrupt him. ‘Sorry, I don’t know what you’re talking about.’
‘I thought Ludo told you I was buying the business?’
Blythe narrowed her eyes in thought and she rewound the conversation in his office just before Sam broke up with her. ‘Ludo said there was an offer on the table.’
‘I wonder why he omitted to tell you the offer was from me?’ He dismissed it with a shake of his head. ‘Anyway, I need you to sign an employment contract and—’
‘Stop, stop, stop,’ said Blythe, waving her hand in front of her father’s face to distract him from his phone.
The front door opened and Greg reversed in. ‘Ho, ho, oh,’ he said, turning around and seeing Hugh. Greg clumsily hid a carrier bag behind his back. ‘Hello, Hugh. Everything okay?’ he asked, looking directly at Blythe. It was like Lego bricks clicking satisfyingly into place. Here was Greg who, without question, had given up most of his day at the drop of a Santa hat to help Blythe. Next to him was her father who had swanned in to get her to sign a contract of employment she hadn’t read for a job he hadn’t actually offered her but merely assumed she would take.
‘I was just about to explain to Dad that I’m accepting Ludo’s offer.’
‘Darling, that’s brilliant,’ said her mum, appearing in a cloud of steam from the kitchen and throwing her arms around her.
‘Good decision,’ said Greg, giving her a hug. Her mum and stepfather stood either side of her as she faced Hugh.
‘What offer’s this?’ Hugh scowled at them.
‘Ludo was debating whether to sell up or to put me in as associate partner while he took on an advisory role and enjoyed semi-retirement. Seeing as I have no idea what you’re offering me I’m going to go with Ludo.’
‘It sounds like you’re telling me that you’re blocking my expansion by doing this. Quite frankly I’m hurt, Blythe. We’re family,’ said Hugh.
Blythe looked at the two people flanking her. ‘You’re my dad, and I love you, but that’s a biological connection and family is something quite different.’ She reached out her hands and they were both grasped automatically.
‘I’m not sure what you’re getting at.’ Hugh shook his head. ‘But as your father I expect your support.’
‘No,’ said Greg. ‘She should expect yours.’
Hugh looked at Greg as if he’d just materialised out of thin air. ‘Are you suggesting I don’t support my daughter? Because here I am offering her a job. I don’t think you’re in a position to do that now, are you, Greg?’
Blythe let go of her mum’s hand and held her own hand up to stop things turning into an argument. ‘Thank you for your kind offer, Dad, but I’m going to politely decline.’
‘Fine,’ said Hugh, putting his phone in his inside coat pocket and turning away.
‘Happy Christmas, Dad,’ said Blythe.
Hugh turned back and with a tight jaw said, ‘And to you all.’ And like the ghost of Christmas past he left a chill in the hallway as he walked out.
