‘I understand, but if you’re ever ready, you can ask me on a date. Deal?’
A soft grin. ‘Deal.’
‘I’d better get in. See you around.’
Without looking back, I leave Paul and head into Nanny Bet’s.
Mum and Dad share a slightly awkward hug in the garden. He grips his walking stick and kisses her on the forehead. It’s more affection than they’ve shown each other in the last few years, but I don’t want to get my hopes up. Mum needs space, and he’s still recovering.
She goes into the kitchen to help Nanny Bet and I give Dad a hug. It’s less awkward, but I’m still hesitant. His hand trembles slightly as he moves it away.
‘Lovely day, isn’t it?’ he says.
‘Yeah. You feeling up to it?’
‘Yes, but no, but sure, you know yourself.’ He smiles and winks, and for a second my old dad is back.
We’ve talked most days since he woke up. It’s not a complete recovery though. He had a minor stroke the night that everything went down on Acre Street. He’s on medication and goes to physio, and he’s doing AA meetings too.
He’s staying here with Nanny Bet for now. He’s trying. We all are.
‘Did you write something?’ he asks.
‘Yeah, would you like to read it?’
He pales. ‘Not yet. But I’m proud of you. I just…’
‘I know.’
He takes a seat in one of the chairs facing out over the city.
‘It’ll take some time,’ says Nanny Bet. She’s tired, but her eyes are bright. Her cuts have healed but there are two thin talon-shaped scars on either side of her head. She doesn’t remember what caused them. She woke on the kitchen floor, and I’m not telling her any more than that. She doesn’t want to know.
I give her a kiss on the cheek. ‘Are you OK?’
She shrugs. ‘Mostly. Oh, I found that box in the attic for you, by the way. Stuff from the family archive, so to speak.’ She sips on her coffee. ‘Wood carvings, paintings, stories, there’s even a pretty gory piece of needlework. It’s all yours now.’
‘Thank you.’
A crow calls from a nearby tree and we both look up. Dad does too. Three sit on the branches.
Nanny Bet nods at them.
I lean in and whisper. ‘Do you miss your power?’
She grins. ‘Not for a single fucking second!’
I laugh as she sets down her coffee.
The rest of the family arrive then. Nanny Bet gives Tommy a big hug that makes him smile nervously.
‘All right, cuz. How’s life in the mansion?’ Cormac is wearing a shirt and tie and I’m careful not to wrinkle it as I pull him in for a hug.
‘Terrible staff, but you know how it is. All right, Fiona?’
She raises her hand and I swoop in for a high five. She rolls her eyes, but also giggles so I take that as a win. She runs off to scoop up a struggling Fergal.
‘Looking forward to school?’ Cormac asks.
