Chapter 8
Perry sat back in his armchair, turned the TV off and sighed. He listened to the sound of silence and hated it. Normally Emma would be stomping about upstairs or calling him from the kitchen that tea was ready. Now there was only the tick of the clock to keep him company. He homed in on it. Tick, tick, tick, reminding him of the long evening that lay ahead.
Time had never passed so slowly since his daughter left home. He’d even taken to popping his head into her bedroom, just to feel a bit closer to her. There were all her cuddly toys, lined up on an empty bed. The little box room had never been so neat and tidy. Spotless in fact, since she’d last slept there. Perry swallowed. So, this was what empty nest syndrome feels like, he supposed with despondency.
Deciding to pull himself together, he reached for his mobile and sent Emma a cheery text, just to let her know he was thinking of her. Truth be told he’d thought of little else.
Hi there, still OK? Hope he’s treating you well!
That was another thing which had concerned Perry, the fact his daughter was living under the same roof as a total stranger. Well, not a stranger exactly, he conceded, her employer, but still… After waiting for a reply which never came, he decided to ring Bunty – she always cheered him up.
‘Hello, you,’ she answered.
Just hearing her voice was a comfort.
‘Hi, Bunty, what are you up to?’ he asked.
‘I’ve poured myself a large gin and tonic and I’m about to put the TV on. My favourite film’s on tonight,’ she said cheerily, clearly feeling upbeat. The opposite to him. How he wished he could inject a touch of Bunty’s enthusiasm and joie de vivre into his own life.
‘Dirty Dancing?’ He smiled, knowing she loved that.
‘Absolutely!’ gushed Bunty, then detecting his mood asked, ‘Are you all right Perry?’
‘Yeah… it’s just…’ he stumbled, trying to find the words. To his horror his eyes began to fill.
‘Perry?’ Bunty sounded worried now.
‘I’m OK, just missing Emma,’ he managed to reply in a choked voice.
‘Oh, Perry, it’s only natural that you should miss her,’ she consoled, ‘you’re so close, it’s inevitable.’
Although Bunty was trying to comfort Perry she was in fact making him feel worse.
‘I know, why don’t you come here and join me?’ she suggested.
‘WatchDirty Dancing?’
‘Yes! It’ll be fun. We can even try a bit ourselves,’ she said mischievously.
‘What, dirty dancing?’ he chuckled.
‘And why not?’ Bunty retorted with mock indignance. ‘As I recall you could make some pretty hot shapes in your day,’ she teased.
‘Yeah, in my day,’ Perry replied dryly, but still couldn’t help feel brighter by her invitation.
‘Oh, come on! There’s life in the old dog yet.’ She was openly laughing now.
‘Right, you’re on,’ he said in a decisive tone.
‘Good. I’ll pour you a stiff gin then.’
‘Sounds like I’m gonna need it.’
Perry put down his phone with a smirk. Bunty really was just the tonic he needed.
She was in high spirits when he arrived at her cottage, opening the door with a drink clutched firmly in hand, a playful light sparkling in her eyes.
‘Come in, Snakey Hips,’ she giggled.
