‘She’s a doctor, works in A&E,’ gushed his mum.
His dad arched an eyebrow. ‘I see.’
‘And she’s called Tara,’ she continued.
Jack studied his father’s face, keen to see his reaction. He hadn’t forgotten how Tara had reacted to knowing his dad’s name. Up to now he hadn’t seen anything untoward. He decided to test the water further.
‘Tara O’Hara. Dr Tara O’Hara,’ he stated, all the time scrutinising his dad. And there it was: a slight flicker of recognition, very small, but definitely there. There was a momentary lull. ‘Have you heard of her, Dad?’ asked Jack, trying to sound as casual as possible, when inside he intrinsically knew this was a big deal. He could feel it in his bones.
‘Me? No, why should I?’ replied his dad, sounding very convincing. Too convincing, in Jack’s opinion, remembering how good his dad was at covering up the truth, and his tracks. His eyes slid over to his mum, who seemed oblivious to any awkwardness. Perhaps he was imagining it? The phone rang, disrupting his thoughts as his mum dashed off to answer it.
Once alone, Jack decided to push further.
‘Tara has heard of you,’ he said conversationally.
‘How?’ His dad’s voice held a slight edge to it.
‘I think you’ve done some work for her friend… an extension or something…?’ Jack’s gaze never left his dad’s face. He noticed his eyelid twitch, a sure tell-tale sign, as it was a nervous tick his dad had whenever he was suffering with stress. A part of Jack loathed what he was doing, testing his own father, but another part of him needed to know the truth. What exactly was the connection between Tara and his dad? And would it be enough to put him off? He gulped, hating being in this predicament. Was he about to open a can of worms? Uncover something that deep down he’d really rather not know?
‘Well, I could have done, that’s possible. In fact probable,’ reasoned his dad.
He was right, conceded Jack. Knowles & Carter Architects were a well-known, reputable firm. It wouldn’t be unusual for someone in the area to have used them. Was he letting his imagination run away with him? Looking for trouble that simply didn’t exist?
‘You know, Jack, all me and your mum want is for you to be happy,’ said his dad, looking him in the eye.
‘Yeah, I know,’ frowned Jack, wondering why his dad should suddenly make such a statement.
‘Then I suggest you just relax and enjoy getting to know Tara. Let nature take its course.’
A switch flicked inside Jack. Something his dad was an expert at doing. Was he intimating that his relationship with Tara was destined to end, like all the others? Was the ‘let nature take its course’ comment a dig, meaning all his relationships naturally ended, never fully blossoming into fruitful ones? A flare of anger shot through him as he flashed a glare of contempt towards his father, who was still managing to look perfectly at ease, apart from that twitching eyelid. That’s what was giving him away, and Jack knew it.
‘You’re right, Dad. Idointend to get to know Tara,’ Jack replied whilst staring his dad full in the face.
‘Good.’ His dad nodded.
‘Yeah, I want to be open and honest, hopefully build a decent relationship,’ he continued.
‘Exactly,’ replied his dad with a tight smile.
‘Because honesty’s the best policy. Isn’t that right, Dad?’
Their eyes met. Suddenly Jack’s mum came back into the kitchen.
‘That was Natalie. You’ve left your phone there, Austin.’
‘Bloody hell,’ he cursed himself.
‘I can fetch it,’ said Jack. ‘I was going to call round there anyway.’
‘Would you mind?’ replied his mum. ‘That would be helpful, wouldn’t it?’ She looked towards her husband.
‘Sure, if that’s OK with you, Jack?’
‘Fine. No trouble.’
Truth be told, Jack wanted to speak to his sister. All this business with his father was unsettling him. That’s if therewasanything actually going on, and not just his overactive mind playing tricks. He loved Natalie, she grounded him, always put things in perspective.
Leaving his parents’ house, with a promise to return soon with the forgotten phone, Jack’s mood had sadly shifted somewhat.
