“You remember that about me?”
“I remember all of it.” He took eggs from the fridge and picked herbs from pots that flourished on the windowsill. “There’s wine in the fridge. Why don’t you pour us both a glass.”
“The glasses—”
“They’re in the same place.”
She found them, and the wine. It was like travelling back in time.
“You were always a good cook.”
“I had a child and I didn’t want her raised on chicken nuggets.” He whisked the eggs to a froth and tipped them into a hot pan. Then he grated cheese and chopped baby spinach leaves. “If I’d known you were coming, I could have made something special.”
“I’m not here for the food, although you’re probably right that I should eat. And I didn’t know I was coming.”
“When did you make the decision?” He added the cheese and wilted the spinach. “Just as a matter of interest?”
“A few hours ago. I tried to rest, but I couldn’t.”
“Not surprising, after what happened with your father. I assume you didn’t know?”
“I had no idea he was going to turn up today, but he has been emailing me.” She took a sip of wine. “The first email came a couple of months ago.” She watched as he slid a perfect omelette onto a plate.
“That must have given you a shock, and not a pleasant one.”
“To begin with I assumed it was a hoax. Forty years, Eddie.
I hadn’t heard from him in forty years, and then suddenly he lands in my email.” Embarrassed, she gave an apologetic smile. “Sorry. I haven’t seen you in a long time and here I am dropping all my problems onto you. Believe it or not, I didn’t come here for sympathy.”
“You don’t have to tell me that. I know you, remember? You never did look for sympathy. Empathy? That’s different. Personally, I’m feeling inclined to punch something. I’m proud I managed not to do him physical damage when I escorted him from the property.”
She felt something soften inside her. “What did you say to him?”
“You don’t need the detail. But I don’t think you’ll be hearing from him again.”
“Edward.” She said his name softly. “Still my hero.”
His gaze lingered on hers for a moment and then he grabbed forks and handed them to her. “Let’s take this outside.” His voice was roughened. “Evie is out, so no chance of her over-hearing us if we’re talking in the garden. She lives next door.”
“In your mother’s house?”
“Yes, although you wouldn’t recognise the place. It looks like the inside of a beach hut. Turns out Evie has an eye for colour and design. I try and remember to wear sunglasses whenever I visit.”
She laughed. “And presumably you visit often as you’re next door. And you can keep an eye on her.”
“I’m discreet about that part. Mostly I just enjoy her company. There’s no rule that says you can’t enjoy the company of your own children.”
“True.” She thought about Abby and how much she’d missed her over the month she’d been away. “Evie is an impressive young woman. You must be proud.”
“I am proud, although I’m not sure how many of her qualities are down to me. I see more of her mother in her.”
“You don’t give yourself enough credit, but you never did. You were always a wonderful father. A wonderful man. You restored my faith in human nature.” She settled herself at the little table and listened to the sounds of the sea. “It has barely changed. We used to sit here and let the girls play. You had a sandpit and a paddling pool back then.”
“I remember. The sandpit went to a good home a long time ago, and the paddling pool developed a leak. I seem to recallEvie pierced it with a toy dinosaur.” He put the plate in the middle of the table, divided the omelette and handed her a fork. “I should have picked up an extra plate while I was in the kitchen.”
“Don’t bother. It won’t be the first time we’ve shared food from the same plate.” She took the fork and ate some of the omelette and he did the same.
She couldn’t quite believe they were sitting here sharing food and chatting comfortably when so much time had passed. It seemed impossibly intimate for two people who hadn’t seen each other for almost three decades. But it didn’t feel that long. The connection was still there, as powerful as ever.
