Luke folded his arms across his chest and fixed Nick with a stern look. ‘I’m not sure that’s how parenting works. You have responsibilities now, and you need to take them seriously.’
‘Why do you think I wanted to talk to you?’ Nick kicked the wheel of the van and huffed. Shouldn’t Luke be on his side? Still, he had to admit his friend was right when he said Nick needed to grow up fast. And find a way to raise some funds. ‘I was wondering if the offer of some labouring work is still on the table?’
‘Sure, I can always use another pair of hands, but it sounds like you’re going to be otherwise engaged while you’ve got the girl staying with you.’
‘I don’t mean now,’ said Nick. ‘I’m talking about once Emily has gone back to her mum’s. I’m sure now she’s made contact, Carla will hit me up for maintenance payments.’
Luke narrowed his eyes. ‘What, and you don’t think she’s entitled to them?’
‘No, that’s not what I was saying.’ Why did Luke make him feel wrong-footed? Where was his mate who’d stick by him, whatever?
‘Good, because it sounded like you were complaining, and after raising Emily for five years with no help from you, I’d say Carla is entitled to whatever she asks for.’
Nick flew to his own defence. ‘It was her choice not to tell me she was pregnant.’ He had had enough and turned to walk away, but Luke called him back.
‘Don’t storm off. I’m sorry if I’ve been harsh, but I think you need a reality check. Listen, Alice and I will support you however we can, but you also need to step up.’ Luke ran a hand through his hair then waved toward the general store. ‘Get your shopping and then go back to the house. Let Kitty leave to do whatever she had planned before you roped her into babysitting, and spend some time getting to know your daughter. I’m at the end of the phone if it all gets too much.’
‘Cheers, I think.’ Nick wanted to stay hanging out with Luke. He wanted to crack open a beer and pretend nothing had changed, that he hadn’t turned into a father overnight. He wanted his old life, where he didn’t have to worry about anyone except himself. Nick’s phone buzzed in his pocket, and he pulled it out.
Where are you? We’re so hungry we might start eating the furniture if you don’t hurry up. This is Kitty, by the way. In case you hadn’t bothered to save my number.
Nick shook his head and replaced his phone in his pocket. ‘I’ve got to go.’
Luke pulled Nick into a brief hug and patted him on the back. ‘It’ll be alright, mate. Give me a ring if you need anything. I’ll check in with you tomorrow, whatever. And remember, you can do this. You’re a lot more capable than you give yourself credit for.’
Nick nodded, too choked up to answer, and set off towards the general store. He might be a crap dad, but the least he could do for his new daughter was buy her some lunch.
Chapter 11
Kitty looked up from her game of snap as the front door clicked open.
Nick bustled through, a bag of shopping in each hand. ‘Sorry, I got held up.’
‘You’ve been gone for over an hour.’ She couldn’t keep the annoyance out of her voice. When she’d left London, she’d promised herself things would be different. Yet it seemed there was no escaping her destiny to be someone else’s doormat.
‘Like I said, I got held up.’
Emily glanced from Kitty to Nick, her brow furrowed. Kitty gave her best impression of a beaming smile. ‘Do you want a bit of time on your iPad while I help Nick get your lunch ready?’
Emily nodded, and Kitty dug out the iPad from the backpack Carla had left. To give Carla her due, she’d thought of everything. Besides a suitcase of clothes, she’d left a bag containing all Emily’s favourite toys, a first aid kit, and the backpack filled with books.
‘There are only two bags of shopping,’ said Kitty, joining Nick in the kitchen.
‘It’s all I could afford.’
Kitty rolled her eyes.
‘I saw that.’ Nick pulled a tub of olives from one of the shopping bags, a six-pack of lager, a packet of sausages, spaghetti, two tins of tomatoes, a loaf of bread and a tub of locally made ice cream.
‘Were the beers necessary?’ asked Kitty.
‘I’m not planning on getting drunk, if that’s what you’re implying.’
‘I wasn’t implying anything. Who are the olives for?’
‘Emily, of course.’
Kitty leaned against the kitchen worktop and folded her arms across her chest. ‘You’ve not spent much time around kids, have you?’
