‘Because you’re the parent here, not me! I can’t just let a child join my class without any forms being filled out and going through the official channels.’
‘Oh.’
Nick had turned from white to green. Kitty wasn’t sure what she’d said to upset him, so she offered what help she could. ‘I can arrange a meeting for you with Suzanne, the head teacher, if that would help?’
‘Could you be there? I mean… um…’
‘Nick, you need to learn to step up. You’re Emily’s dad, and the sooner you get used to it, the better.’
‘No,’ said Nick, shaking his head. When he picked up his cup, his hands trembled. ‘It’s not about accepting responsibility, it’s… it’s… oh, God…’
‘Nick?’
‘It’s the paperwork, OK? I might need a bit of help, that’s all.’
Kitty frowned, trying to understand what Nick was telling her. Was it that he didn’t know enough details about Emily’s life, or the actual form-filling that was bothering him? She waited for him to elaborate. He kept his eyes down, swirling a teaspoon around his cup. Whatever it was, it was important to Nick. She softened further. ‘I’m sure I can be at the meeting. I’ll message Suzanne now, if you like, but I might not get a reply given it’s the weekend.’
‘Thank you,’ said Nick.
When he looked up at her, Kitty could have sworn she saw tears in his eyes. Before she could be sure, Nick had plastered a smile on his face, downed the dregs of his tea and was standingup and pulling on his coat. ‘Thanks, Kitty, I really appreciate your help.’
The cockiness was back, and as Nick let himself out of her cottage, she had no idea what to make of him.
Chapter 22
The news Emily would stay with him longer than expected went down like a lead balloon. Emily set her spoon down beside the bowl of half-eaten Coco Pops and stared at Nick with trembling lips. ‘I won’t see her for ages and ages?’
Nick was glad he had another piece of news to sweeten the bitter pill. ‘Yes, you’ll see her. Soon too, because your mum is coming here next weekend to visit you.’
‘She is?’ asked Emily, with tear-filled eyes.
‘Yes, she promised. She misses you.’
‘I miss her.’ Emily clutched the teddy that hadn’t left her side since May gifted it to her. Nick wished he’d thought of giving her a teddy for comfort himself.
‘I’ll make myself scarce while your mum’s here so you can have time together.’
Emily frowned, not understanding.
‘I mean, I’ll find something else to do so the two of you won’t have me hanging around.’
Emily frowned again. ‘That’s silly.’
‘It is?’
‘Yes, I want both of you there.’
Nick’s stomach flipped. ‘Are you sure?’
Emily leaned in close to her teddy and whispered, ‘Nick is very silly sometimes, Edward, but you’ll get used to him.’
Nick swallowed the lump in his throat and steeled himself to deliver the next piece of news. ‘So, your mum and me, we both thought, we wondered, if you’d like to go to school for a bit?’
‘My school’s a long way away.’
‘Yes, it is. I mean the school here in Saffron Bay.’
Emily tilted her head to the side, considering. ‘I’d like that.’
