She shrugs, but doesn’t make any attempt to reassure me.
“Do you really think I’m a terrible person?”
“I never said that.”
“Well, actually, you never say anything. So you could be thinking anything.”
She sighs, then speaks again.
“If anyone finds out about you and the headmistress…” she says, cautiously.
I hadn’t thought about that. “Then you don’t want to seem like a teacher’s pet?”
She shakes her head. “I don’t want Ms Hill to end up in trouble for it.”
“Oh.”
“What?”
“I’m just surprised, that’s all.”
“What, you think I’m incapable of thinking about other people?”
“No, I don’t mean that. I just didn’t think you cared about her so much.”
“She’s helped me out a lot. She’s cool.”
I can’t help but agree with her. A strange tingling sensation starts to flutter in my stomach.
“But, unfortunately,youcame along.”
I can always count on my daughter to bring my dreams crashing down.
“So you don’t think I’m good enough for her?”
“I think you don’t deserve her, Kerry.”
“You barely even know me. How can you say something like that? Are you basing all this on the things you’ve read about me?”
“You said it yourself: I barely know you. Just like you don’t know me – and a man who doesn’t know his own daughter isn’t exactly an amazing person.”
She’s being harsh with me, but I can’t blame her. Maybe I should ground her for this, or at least shout at her; but what can I do if she’s always right about me?
“I can’t say it isn’t true, and you don’t seem to be the only one who thinks this. But I promise, I’m trying.”
“Trying to change my mind? Or someone else’s?”
“Everyone’s.”
She glares at me, unconvinced.
“Just give me a little time.”
She considers this for a moment, before scoffing and rolling her eyes.
“I don’t want your fifty euros.”
“No?”
