‘And you me,’ replied Bunty somewhat teary herself. Then she inwardly pulled herself together. ‘Nice nails BTW.’ She winked, and Jasmine couldn’t stop her laughter.
Chapter 30
Emma had teased Perry non-stop since his first date with Bunty. Refusing to rise to the bait, he had taken it all in good spirit. Unbeknown to his daughter, he had already arranged to see Bunty again, but this time it wasn’t on neutral territory, very much the opposite in fact. He’d suggested a sail on his narrowboat, which she had gladly accepted.
‘I’d love to seeThe Merry Perry!’ Bunty had exclaimed in excitement. Her response had reminded him of Emma and how she was desperate to see inside Bunty’s art deco house.
It was because Emma was so keen to meet Bunty that he had kept a low profile. Not that he didn’t want to introduce his daughter to Bunty, but thought it better to wait a little longer, to see how things panned out; the last thing Perry wanted was for Emma to get attached to Bunty if it all ended belly up. She spoke with familiarity about her already and this was before even setting eyes on the woman.
As a result, he’d taken to snatched calls and messages on his mobile when the coast was clear. Like a teenager, hiding from parents, he was in the garden sat on a bench, having just texted Bunty.
‘Hi, Dad!’ Emma called from the back door, back from work.
He quickly got up to join her in the kitchen, slipping his mobile away in his back pocket.
‘What’s for tea?’ she asked.
‘I thought we’d go out,’ Perry replied.
‘Oh, right.’ Emma sounded surprised. ‘Any particular reason?’
‘Just thought I’d treat you.’ He smiled.
Truth be told, he felt guilty not updating her about Bunty. In an attempt to ease his conscience, he wanted to spend some quality time with his daughter.
Emma eyed him suspiciously.
‘Go on, what’s up?’ she said.
‘Nothing!’ he replied, then his mobile rang. He ignored it. Emma folded her arms and lent on the kitchen worktop. She clearly wasn’t going anywhere.
‘Aren’t you going to answer that?’ she asked innocently, suspecting who it was.
‘Er… Yeah…’ Perry took out his phone and cleared his throat. ‘Hi, Bunty,’ he tried to sound casual, conscious of Emma’s beady eyes on him. ‘Yes, yes that’d be great, thanks.’
Bunty’s voice was fairly loud and could be heard by Emma, who was taking a very keen interest. ‘Yes… bye.’ He gave his daughter a sheepish look. ‘That was Bunty,’ he explained unnecessarily.
‘So I gathered,’ Emma said.
‘I’m er… taking her out on the boat,’ he went on, feeling like a naughty schoolboy.
Emma burst into laughter.
‘Oh, Dad, you look almost guilty.’
‘Hey, I’m new to this, cut me some slack,’ he reasoned, still feeling like this was role reversal.
‘Well, you look like you’re doing just fine to me,’ she chuckled.
‘I do want you to meet her Emma,’ said Perry.
‘But just not yet. I understand.’ Emma held her hands out in surrender.
‘I hope so.’ Perry was at pains not to cause any offence.
‘Stop worrying, Dad, honestly, I just want you to be happy.’
‘Which is exactly what I want for you,’ replied Perry with a firm nod.
