‘’Course not.’ Jack chuckled and sent a look of despair to Tara. She cast her eyes downwards, trying not to giggle.
‘Anyway, in celebration, I’m cooking a family meal. Next Sunday.’
‘Lovely,’ replied Jack, still hoping to cut his mother’s visit short.
‘And Tara, you must come along too,’ she gushed.
There was an awkward pause. Tara turned abruptly to Jack, who was looking back at her with interest.
‘Oh… I don’t know…’ began Tara.
‘Nonsense! Of course you’re invited, isn’t she, Jack?’
All eyes turned to him. There was a silent moment, again.
‘Yes, of course,’ he agreed. What else could he say? And actually, why not? Perhaps nowwasthe time for Tara and his dad to meet. Maybe all those questions he’d been burning to ask were about to be answered after all?
