‘No it doesn’t. Gran often says it.’
‘Your grandmother has dementia.’
‘Ah. Is that why she says it? I thought it was because she cared about me.’ I knew Gran loved me. She loved me a lot.
‘She does. We all do. And we know you love us all, in your own little way.’
I almost burst out laughing.
‘My own little way? Yes, Dad. I do.’ Now the snow was coming down a little harder and faster. ‘You can drop me here. I’d hate you to get stuck in a snow drift on Midwinter Ridge.’ It wasn’t settling yet so there was no chance of that.
‘Good point. Your mother hates being left in the house for too long on her own.’
He pulled the car over and I quickly got out.
‘Thanks, Dad. See you soon. Drive safely.’
‘I always drive safely. You’re the one who needs to do that.’
‘I love you too,’ I said as he drove off.
Then like a kid of five, I stuck my thumbs in my ears and waggled my fingers at his car while sticking out my tongue. I just couldn’t help myself.
I noticed the van drive by and stop a few feet ahead but I didn’t think anything of it until I walked past and a deep gravelly voice said good morning.
I stopped but took a step away. Just in case. I reached my black belt in karate but it’d been years since I’d used it. My karate, not the black belt itself.
Alec beamed at me from the van. ‘Let me guess. That was your blind date. I take it things went well if you spent the night. But why did he drop you off here? Oh wait. You’re not that sort of girl, are you?’
‘Go and fix a pipe or something.’
‘I’m on my way to fix yours. But tell me, why did you step away from my van? Don’t you trust yourself to be near me?’
I glowered at him.
‘I didn’t know it was you. If I had, I’d have crossed the road to avoid you and your sarcasm. For all I knew, you could’ve been a murderer. Or someone who was going to kidnap me.’
‘Because that happens a lot in Fairlight Bay.’
‘It happens everywhere. You hear about things like that on the news.’
‘I rarely listen to the news.’
‘Why doesn’t that surprise me? How did you know it was me, anyway? Or do you pick up your dates from the streets?’
‘No, I don’t. I collect them from their homes and I take them back to their homes afterwards. I’d recognise you anywhere. Even with your clothes on.’
I narrowed my eyes at him and he grinned.
‘Has anyone ever told you you’re a pain in the arse?’
‘Frequently. But I’m also a lot of fun. And I’m kind, and thoughtful, and I can be romantic. With the right woman.’
‘Tell someone who gives a damn.’
‘I thought I was. Get in.’
‘Don’t tell me what to do!’
