Chapter 13
Perry strolled down the coastal path, heading for the tidal road. He’d arranged to call on Emma and was looking forward to seeing her. Although he’d already visited the huge house on the peninsular since he’d got married, he’d gone with Bunty and whilst Felix had been there. Perry was anxious to see his daughter alone. He wanted to speak to her face to face, without anybody else present. For try as he might not to, he still worried about her. Yes, Emma was a fully grown woman who was more than capable of looking after herself, but he couldn’t help how he felt.
Deep down, his biggest fear was the relationship she was in. Perry knew Emma was more than happy with Felix, and they did appear to be very suited, but there was a ten-year age gap between them. Bunty had laughed at him when he’d voiced his concern to her.
‘Don’t be silly, Perry! Ten years is nothing. There were almost twenty years between my parents,’ she’d said.
Hmm, thought Perry, not comforted in the slightest. It had been sad that her mother had died so young though, leaving Bunty motherless at a very tender age. He expressly stopped his thoughts from wandering to her father. Perry did acknowledge that maybe Hamish Deville wouldn’t have been so possessive and domineering over his daughter had he a wife to occupy him. Still, you couldn’t rewrite history, he reflected, and really didn’t want to taint his future happiness by mulling over it.
It wasn’t just the age difference that concerned Perry. It was the fact Felix was a celebrity, well known, with people routinely recognising him on the street. He remembered his and Bunty’s wedding, when their guests paid Felix more interest than them,the bride and groom! It irked Perry how Felix got all the attention, especially when Emma was by his side.Shedeserved to be star of the show, well, in Perry’s eyes anyway.
He took a lungful of fresh sea air, enjoying the bracing walk. He’d driven along the coastal path many times, but being on foot gave him the time to appreciate his surroundings. Being a natural sailor, his eyes always gravitated to the water first. The sun shone vibrantly on the azure waves gently lapping against the shoreline. The cry of seagulls echoed in the distance. His gaze then slid to the rich golden horizon, casting shades of deep orange and yellow across the water. How magical it was.
Soon he reached the tidal road. Marching down the flat, sand-covered way, he saw that big, white art deco house that held many memories for both Bunty and him, though not all good. Perhaps he subconsciously judged Felix because he’d chosen to buy it? Emma loved it though, he admitted, which was the main thing.
Perry checked his watch, careful not to linger too long, being ever mindful of the incoming tide. He’d given himself plenty of time to get there and was making good pace. For a man of his age, he was in excellent shape. Perry had always been active, having sailed boats in his younger days and then living on a narrowboat in his later years. Life on a narrowboat had been pretty strenuous, but Perry had thrived on the exercise and exertion.
Reaching his destination, he walked up the stone steps and rang the bell. Emma soon answered it.
‘Hi, Dad.’ She hugged him hard and moved aside to let him in. Perry looked around the impressive, marbled hall.
‘Felix here?’ he asked casually, knowing he shouldn’t be, but wanted it clarifying.
‘No, he’s in London on business, remember?’ replied Emma.
‘Oh yeah, that’s right.’ Perry nodded, relieved.
‘Come to the kitchen. I’ve made us some lunch,’ said Emma, directing him through to the stairs leading down there.
Once seated at the table eating sandwiches and drinking tea, Perry allowed himself to relax. He’d constantly felt a touch on edge in this house, despite trying desperately not to.
‘So, what’s Felix in London for?’ asked Perry.
‘The drama, of course. It’s due to hit our screens mid-July. Felix can’t wait, neither can I,’ gushed Emma, making Perry smile. He loved her enthusiasm and zest. For Emma, this was a dream come true. Perry knew only too well of his daughter’s aspirations.
‘Will you be marking the occasion?’ he grinned.
‘Oh yes,’ she trilled with gusto. ‘We’re throwing a party when the first episode airs.’
‘Really?’
‘Too right. You and Bunty are invited, obvs,’ she told him.
‘Great. Bunty will love it,’ he replied, still smiling. He could just imagine his wife’s reaction. She’d be at fever pitch.
‘Felix says my voice will catapult me into fame,’ she laughed. Perry stopped smiling.
‘And is that what you want, Emma?’ he quietly asked.
‘What? To make it as a singer? You kidding?’ she answered almost incredulously.
‘I just don’t want you to be overwhelmed, that’s all.’
‘Dad, you’ve always known how much I want to make it as a singer,’ Emma replied, a touch exasperated.
‘I know, I do, really…’
‘But?’ She eyed him carefully, sensing something was afoot.
