“Fine,” I sighed. “More romance to meet Daddy’s high standards.”
“What makes you think I’m a daddy’s girl, and this is about him?”
“Isn’t it always, Princess?”
“Fuck off, Charlie. You have no idea,” she spat out, before turning in her seat to stare out of the window.
I wondered if I should feel bad for obviously upsetting her, but then I remembered that I’d been made to be here when I could be home, pissed, high, fucking some grateful groupie.
This time when I pulled my headphones on, she made no attempt to stop me and that was how we stayed for the rest of the flight. In fact, we didn’t speak again until we arrived at her parent’s house, and by the time we got there I was bouncing with so many emotions I didn’t know how to rein them back in.
“Fern.” A tall, thin, older woman with shoulder length gray hair, who I presumed was her mum, spoke as we stepped into the house and a maid closed the door behind us. I watched them hug briefly, Fern looking uncomfortable in her hold.
“Fern,” a deep voice boomed as a man appeared.
“Dad.”
He stepped toward her, placing his hand on her shoulder, looking her up and down like he was inspecting her. “You look tired, and what are you wearing?”
She glanced down at her black leggings, oversized pale blue sweater, and bright white sneakers. “I’ve just spent hours traveling here. Apologies, I’m not in heels and a full face of make up to visit my family.”
“How’s work?” he asked.
“Okay.”
I frowned.Okay?I didn’t know Fern well, but I knew she lived for her job and she’d just been given a huge promotion, so I couldn’t understand whyokaywas her reply.
“And you must be Charlie,” her mum interrupted, offering me her hand.
I took it, deciding a handshake was such a weird greeting. “Yes, ma’am.”
“You can call me Carol. And this is my husband—”
“Judge Richards is fine for now, Charlie,” he replied gruffly, taking in my distressed jeans and leather jacket. I pulled off my beanie, stuffing it in my pocket as I followed them inside.
“Come, let’s get you both a drink, and then you can freshen up. Your sister and James won’t be here until later, as they wanted to drive when it was Ari’s nap time, so they didn’t disrupt her routine.”
“Ari’s my niece. She’s almost one,” she whispered.
We moved to the formal sitting room, her dad pointing us to the sofa opposite the fire.
“Drink, Fern?”
“A coffee would be good. Charlie?”
“Same, thanks.”
Suddenly, a woman appeared in a gray and white uniform, carrying a tray as if she’d been waiting somewhere close by. She poured everyone's drinks, leaving us the pot before taking our jackets and vanishing silently.
Fern took a sip before settling the cup and saucer on the table in front of us, an awkward silence descending on the room. After a few unbearable minutes, Carol coughed, before offering us a large, fake smile.
“So, Charlie. You work with Fern?”
“My band is signed to the label she works for.”
“Ah, are you the lead singer?”
“No. We don’t have one. We all take the lead for different songs. It works better for us.”
