‘Yes.’ Alex turned back with a grin. ‘Ye of little faith! I did email him, but he hasn’t replied, and that was about two weeks ago, so…’
‘I think Billie might have a point,’ Zoe said. ‘I mean, I see why you’d be happy to start; it’s been dragging on for a bit now?—’
‘Longer than I thought,’ Alex said. ‘If I’d known how long it would take, I might not have reported the first find.’
‘Dad, if you’ve ever seen anything on the news, you’d know it takes ages to do these things.’
Alex turned to her with another wry smile. ‘Since when do you watch the news?’
‘I’m just saying!’
Zoe grinned now. ‘Watch it!’ she told Alex. ‘Pregnant woman. Hormones. Not to be messed with!’
‘Huh…?’ Alex dumped a pile of dishes into the sink.
‘Never mind,’ Zoe said, sharing a conspiratorial look with Billie, who opened her mouth to reply but then closed it with a slight frown.
‘Is that someone’s phone?’
‘Oh…’ Zoe held back a groan. ‘I think it might be mine. I left it in my bag by the door.’
‘Aren’t you going to get it?’ Alex turned back from the sink. ‘Usually you run for it when someone rings in case it’s one of your mums.’
‘Yes, I’m going to…’ Zoe got up. If either Billie or Alex thought she sounded reluctant, neither said so, though their silence as they watched her rifle in her bag spoke volumes. And as Zoe had feared, it was her mum on the line again. This time, she knew she’d have to answer.
‘Mum…how are you? Everything all right?’
‘No…’ her mum croaked. ‘I suppose you know about your dad and Chantal.’
‘Yes. He texted me earlier.’
‘I can’t believe it. Why? What does she want with an old man like him?’
‘He’s notthatold.’ Zoe glanced back at Billie and Alex, who were obviously trying to look as if they weren’t listening, though she couldn’t see how they could do anything else. ‘They seem happy, Mum. I mean, I haven’t spoken to Chantal, but Dad seems happy.’
‘Well, I suppose he would be. Nothing changes there, does it? As long as he gets what he wants, doesn’t matter what it does to anyone else.’
‘Mum, what’s the difference? If he’s married or not, he’s still with Chantal. I’m sure he’s not trying to upset anyone, and there really isn’t a crime in wanting to be happy, is there?’
‘Lucky because I’d be in jail. All I want is to be happy, but I don’t get it.’
‘Mum—’
‘I suppose you’re going.’
‘To the wedding? I can’t really get out of it, can I?’
‘And you’re taking this fella I still haven’t met?’
‘I don’t know – I haven’t thought that far ahead. Dad hasn’t even booked anything yet, let alone sent out invites.’
‘So everyone I know will be there, celebrating with him, and I’ll be sitting here alone.’
‘I’m sure if you asked to come?—’
‘Oh,she’dnever have me there.’
Zoe couldn’t help but agree. Chantal wouldn’t want her mum there, and Zoe would hardly blame her for that. ‘Well,’ she continued lamely, ‘I’m sure noteveryoneyou know is going to be there.’
