‘And actually,’ said Elaine, ‘five hundred pounds a month is a bargain for what you’re getting here. This is the best house in Saffron Bay. How many other people could spend five hundred pounds a month and get a property with private access to the beachfront and far-reaching sea views?’
She had a point, Nick thought. On the other hand, how many twenty-seven-year-olds were still living with their parents? Five hundred pounds was half his monthly wage. He’d been thinking he’d need to get a car as soon as Emily went back to the city, and what money was left after rent wasn’t going to stretch far. Nevertheless, for once he could see where his parents were coming from. Resisting would only cause them to dig in harder and probably charge him more.
‘Fair enough,’ said Nick. ‘I’ll pay you your rent. When do you want me to start?’
His father choked on his coffee. ‘You’re not going to argue with us?’
‘No,’ said Nick. ‘There’s no point. And besides, you’re right.’
‘We are?’ Elaine frowned. Nick couldn’t tell if it was suspicion or sunlight causing her eyes to glint.
‘You’ve been extremely generous to me,’ said Nick, ‘and for so long, I’ve taken it for granted. It’s time I stood on my own two feet. And asking me to pay rent is completely reasonable.’
‘Oh,’ said Elaine.
‘If I’d known it would be that easy,’ said David, ‘I’d have asked you for rent years ago.’
‘And perhaps you should have.’ Nick realised it was true. The penny had finally dropped that the privileged life he’d led up to this point had done him no favours.
Before the conversation could go any further, Emily came running out into the garden.
‘David!’ she cried as she ran up to the table, waving a piece of paper in his face. ‘David, look! Do you like my picture? I made it for you.’
She placed it on the table in front of him, and he made a show of peering at it. ‘Very nice, dear, very nice.’
‘Can I see?’ asked Elaine. It was more like a command than a request.
Emily glanced at Nick. The girl wasn’t used to being spoken to by his mother. He nodded slightly, and Emily took the picture over to her.
‘That’s Nick,’ she said, pointing. ‘That’s David, and that’s you, Elaine.’
Nick noticed the muscles under his mother’s skin playing with emotions.
‘Would you like to join us for our tea party, Emily?’ Elaine asked.
‘Is there cake?’
Elaine tutted. She caught Nick’s eye and arched an eyebrow. ‘Nicholas, in the absence of cake, perhaps you could go to the kitchen and get Emily a glass of juice? I’ll think you’ll also find a packet of biscuits in the cupboard.’
Nick left the table without a word. In the kitchen, he filled a jug with orange juice and grabbed a glass from the cupboard. Were his parents thawing towards Emily, or was that wishful thinking? He stuffed a packet of biscuits in his pocket and carried the jug and glass outside.
From the decking, he looked down and saw Elaine wandering the garden, Emily by her side. His mother bent down and pointed to a rose bush. Emily leaned forward and sniffed a flower. A brief conversation followed, and even from a distance he could tell his mother and daughter were both smiling.
When he reached the lower garden, David didn’t notice him approach the table, his eyes fixed on Elaine and Emily, the ghost of a smile playing on his lips. Nick set the jug and glass down, and David jumped. He grinned at Nick.
‘Those two seem to be getting on better?’ He held his breath as he waited for a response.
David took a biscuit from the packet and chewed it slowly. ‘You know,’ he said eventually, ‘she always wanted a daughter. A granddaughter might suit her if she lets it.’
Chapter 43
‘Morning.’ Alice smiled at Kitty as she walked into the kitchen.
Luke had his arms wrapped around Alice, her back pressed against his chest.
‘Oh, sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt.’ Kitty made to leave. She had walked into something whole, something simple and loving. It hurt to watch.
‘No,’ said Alice, ‘you’re not interrupting anything.’ She batted Luke away. ‘Luke has to get ready for work. Don’t you, Luke?’
