‘She’s a sweetheart,’ said Margot as they made their way to the counter. ‘How did she end up with you?’
‘It’s a long story.’
Margot raised an eyebrow. ‘Aren’t they all? She’s yours, I take it?’
‘What do you mean?’
‘Your daughter, or some close relative, at any rate.’
‘What makes you say that?’
‘The eyes. You have matching eyes.’
‘So I’ve been told.’
‘So I’m right?’ Margot slipped behind the counter and set the coffee machine whirring.
‘Emily’s mum had no one else to leave her with.’
Margot gave him a sideways glance and narrowed her eyes. ‘Well, if you need any help with babysitting, feel free to ask. It’s been a long time since I had a child in the house, but I’m sure I’d remember enough to babysit from time to time.’
As her voice caught, Nick’s feelings towards Margot softened. He remembered she had lost her son some years earlier, and it occurred to him that the busybody persona was a way of filling a gaping hole in her life. ‘I doubt Emily will be with me long enough to need babysitting. I appreciate the offer, though, thank you.’
‘Well, the help is there if you need it. You know, you two really do look very alike.’
Nick tapped his fingers on the counter then decided honesty was the best policy. ‘I’m going to do a DNA test to be sure, but yes, it seems Emily is my daughter. Her mother had no one else to leave Emily with, so came to me.’
‘You kept that quiet,’ said Margot. ‘I’m surprised your mum didn’t let it slip when we went for that gin-tasting evening earlier in the year. She became very loose-lipped about many things.’
Nick grimaced, wondering what secrets had been revealed. He let it go, deciding he had bigger things to worry about. ‘She wouldn’t have told you because she doesn’t know. I had no clue myself until yesterday. Meeting Emily has been a bit of a shock.’
‘You didn’t know you had a daughter?’ Margot’s eyes were wide as she set about making Emily’s milkshake.
‘No, it’s a lot to get my head around.’
‘I bet. I was serious about babysitting. If you need any help with anything, I’m here, Nick.’ She scooped ice cream into the milkshake, keeping her eyes on her task. ‘
‘Here you are.’ She grabbed a colouring book from beneath the counter and handed it to him. ‘Take this over to her. It will keep her occupied for a while. I’ll bring your drinks as soon as they’re ready.’
‘Thank you.’ Nick took the colouring book and pens from Margot and returned to Emily. She had emptied a sachet of sugar onto the table and was making patterns with her fingertip.
When Nick handed Emily the colouring book, she swept the sugar from the table, scooped it into a napkin, and folded it neatly beside her. ‘Thank you.’ Her voice trembled.
Nick bit his lip. ‘Are you alright?’
‘I miss Mummy.’
Nick instinctively reached out and took Emily’s hand. When she pulled it away and placed it in her lap, he felt a rush of sadness. ‘Shall we call Mummy when we get home?’
Emily nodded.
‘I’m sorry you’re stuck with me,’ said Nick. ‘But we can try to have fun, can’t we?’
She looked up at him with her big hazel eyes and surprised him with a smile. ‘I don’t mind staying with you, you’re alright. I just miss Mummy.’
Nick swallowed the lump in his throat. He hadn’t realised how much he needed that one-word verdict. “Alright” meant he wasn’t a complete disaster. Alright would do for now. Alright was a good start, and probably more than he deserved.
Chapter 15
