Her eyes open. “What about you?”
“Today is about you.” I kiss her lips again. “I’m going to take you in the shower and get you clean, then I’m going to make you breakfast. Then we can go into work together.”
The shower rainsdown above me, the hot water soothing my muscles. I tilt Joy’s head back after conditioning her hair. Water runs the last of the suds out.
My head is still in the clouds. This is the start of a new life for me. I want to spend every morning like this with her. She fits in perfectly with me and Teddy. I never wanted more kids, I was content with just me and my son, but with Joy, I can see myself marrying her and expanding our family.
I kiss her neck. She tilts her head to meet my lips, and I stroke her tongue gently with mine, wordlessly telling her how much love I have for her. I’ll tell her about the store after Christmas and I’ll support her until she finds something else. Hopefully, she’ll understand.
A knock at the door breaks our kiss. I flinch my head back. “Are you expecting anyone?”
She rolls her eyes. “It might be the post. Sara’s always ordering crap.” She steps out of the small shower cubicle and grabs a towel from the rail. “Hang on, I’m coming,” she shouts as she darts from the bathroom to her room.
I rinse off the soap, then turn off the shower, grab another towel, and dry myself off. “Hey, Joy. Get your big beautiful ass back in here.” I wait a minute and don’t hear anything. So I step out of the bathroom with the towel in hand, rubbing my hair.
“Who the hell are you?” An older man in a suit stares at my naked body.
“Who the fuck are you?” I shout as I wrap the towel around my waist, ready to send this salesman on his way.
“Nick, this is my dad.” Joy stands between us in a fluffy star-patterned dressing gown. She waves a hand halfway between the living room and the kitchen in this tiny flat. “Dad, this is Nick.”
My jaw drops, my heart plummets to my stomach. “I… I’m so sorry, sir.” I stride over, holding my hand out to shake, but he ignores it, looking at me like I’m no better than a piece of gum that got stuck on his black city loafers.
Joy holds her dressing gown together at her chest, the belt tied tight around her waist. Her eyes plead with me for help, but I can’t find the words to put this right.
He straightens his tie and smooths the lapels of his three-piece suit that’s no doubt from one of the finest tailors on Savile Row. Of course, he doesn’t want to shake my hand. He’s just found a grown-ass man naked in his daughter’s flat. If the shoe were on the other foot, I’d be knocking my block off about now.
My fist clenches and opens. “I’m sorry, sir. Let me just change.” I skulk into the bedroom, my heart pounding against my ribs as I silently curse myself. I should’ve stayed in the fucking bathroom. This girl is the best thing that’s happened to me since my son was born. I wanted to make a good impression with her family.
“Dad, what are you doing here?” Voices carry through into the bedroom as I search for yesterday’s clothes.
“You wouldn’t answer your phone. I was worried about you.”
“I’m sorry. I’ve been busy, and my phone broke last night.”
“Clearly. Who is that? He looks familiar.”
“You’ve probably seen him at work.”
“He works at the toy shop?”
“He’s my boss.”
I screw my face up as she says the words, knowing how that sounds. If Joy doesn’t file a harassment charge, her dad no doubt will. I tuck my shirt in my trousers and find my tie. It’s no three-piece suit, but at least now I’m dressed, we’re on a more level playing field.
“How long has your boss been taking advantage of you?”
“Dad, it’s not like that, please.”
I step out after ditching the tie. I can never get the damn thing on right. “Mr Winters, I know this looks bad. But I’m not taking advantage of your daughter. I can assure you.”
He clenches his jaw. His tall, slim frame sizes me up. He’s the only thing between me and her, shielding her like a brick wall that’s impenetrable. I need to hold her, mainly for moral support. It’s like I’m a teenager again, asking a dad to date his daughter.
“We’ll see about this. The sooner she moves to London, the better.”
A pain stabs me in the chest. She’s moving to London.
Joy digs a fist into her hip and huffs. “Dad. I told you I’m not taking the job. I’m happy where I am.” She pads around her dad, her damp hair dripping on the laminate flooring as she steps towards me.
