Kate said, ‘She’s a grown woman now too. Why do you have to worry about her?’
Bridie was following her mum, dad and sister into the kitchen. She caught her parents exchange a glance.
‘I’m just going to take my coat off,’ Bridie said, hanging back to put it on the coat rack in the hall. She did not fancy getting into another slanging match with her sister. She wished she’d just leave.
She heard her dad say, ‘I know it’s daft really, Kate, but she’s the youngest and I’m afraid it just became second nature to be that bit more protective of her.’
‘Yeah, because she chose a silly profession, which is precarious.’
‘It’s not silly,’ he said, surprising Bridie. ‘There is nothing silly about pursuing your passion and living your dream.’
Bridie paused before she hung up her coat, surprised that he’d said that. She remembered when she was a teenager and they’d refused to let her join the local drama club and star in plays, and the shenanigans she’d had to engage in, saying she was doing homework with a friend, when she was really going to after-school drama club.
‘Yeah, until it all goes wrong,’ scoffed Kate.
‘She’s had a setback. These things happen,’ said Rufus, ‘especially when you take the road less travelled, which isn’t easy – not like just going out and getting a job.’
‘Are you saying my job iseasy?’
‘I’m saying you are not self-employed and working in the arts. You have a good job with a stable income, and while it’s hard work—’
‘You’re damn right it is!’
‘So is acting, singing and dancing on stage, entertaining a live audience.’
‘Yeah – until you screw it all up.’
‘That, I believe, was Julian’s doing.’
‘That’s as may be, but it was what she did afterwards that—’
‘I think we should have our takeaway before it gets cold.’
Bridie grinned as she approached the kitchen door, thinkinggood, let’s just drop it and enjoy the takeaway– although she knew Kate wouldn’t.
‘But here, look at what someone posted on social media, Dad,’ Kate said as Bridie walked into the kitchen and saw her sister getting out her phone from the back pocket of her jeans.
Her dad sighed. ‘Kate, I’m not interested in social media. I thought you didn’t have time for that nonsense.’
‘I don’t. Layla showed it to me.’
Bridie didn’t want to be reminded of how she’d let Layla down. She was meant to be a role model. Now, all because of her, Layla wouldn’t be attending drama club.
‘What are you doing here, anyway?’ said her dad. ‘Shouldn’t you be at home having dinner with your family?’
‘Are you saying I’m not welcome here?’
‘Of course you’re welcome.’ He walked over and gave her a hug. ‘What a silly thing to say. I was only asking.’
Bridie looked at her mum. ‘I think they were doing some planning for your retirement party.’
‘Bridie!’ Kate exclaimed. ‘It’s meant to be a surprise!’
Their dad said, ‘Actually, I’m afraid I know.’
Kate rounded on Bridie. ‘Did you tell him?’
‘Of course I didn’t.’
