“I’ve heard so much about you.”
“Then I imagine you’ve got a pretty good idea of what I’m like.”
“Not really. I usually prefer to get to know someone before I decide to believe what I’ve heard. Otherwise your dad would definitely not have been invited tonight.”
I shake my head, watching my daughter lift her chin and study Iris intently. I’ll discover soon whether she’s decided to play her usual games with her, or give in.
“Do you know a lot about my dad?”
I should’ve known this would happen.
“I know enough to fill the entire evening, my dear.”
Skylar smiles, satisfied. “I can’t wait to hear it.”
Iris hands me a glass of wine, which we drink as we’re standing in the kitchen, waiting for dinner to be ready. I’ve never been to her house before, and, to be honest, I’m not sure why she really invited me here this evening; but I don’t want to think about it too much. I just wanted to spend an evening with someone who wasn’t my mum or dad, and I wanted Skylar to meet her, seeing as she’s not made any real friends yet – apart from Carter, and I’m not sure she’d class him as a friend. So I decided to take the situation into my own hands.
“She seems like a smart girl.”
I look at my daughter, who is nosing around Iris’ living room, a glass of 7Up in her hand.
“Too smart, trust me,” I comment, before taking a few sips of my wine.
“She’s a lot like you.”
“Do you think?”
She nods.
“I think she’s all her mother.”
Iris smiles warmly. “I can’t imagine how she must be feeling at the moment.”
“Me neither, Iris. I really want to know. I want her to open up – I might be able to help her, or…” I sigh, frustrated. “I want to do more for her.”
“She’s here, with you. She’s at home.”
“I don’t know if thisishome for her. I’m not even sure if it’s home for me.”
“Just give it a little time. Everything will work out.”
“I really hope so.”
“Oh, my God!” Skylar cries, coming towards us, with a frame between her hands. “What’s this?” she asks, showing us a photo of Iris with Jordan.
“My granddaughter,” she says, feigning innocence.
“Did you know this?” she asks me, making Iris burst into laughter.
“I grew up here, remember?”
Iris moves closer to Skylar and looks at the photo. “This was at her graduation.”
“There are photos of you two everywhere,” Skylar comments.
“Yes, I like having them around. It reminds me of some of the best moments of my life.”
Skylar looks around, confused, so I decide to intervene as discreetly as possible.
