“I think a pond will look really nice there,” I muse, turning the camera round so that Adrian can get a view of the garden. “Water is very calming.”
“I agree,” Adrian says. “It sounds like a fun project, Dad. Although careful of your back with all that digging.”
“I’m not that old, thank you,” he replies haughtily. “Young spring chicken, me.”
“Maybe when it’s done, you can show it off to a new lady friend,” Adrian suggests with a mischievous grin. “You can’t keep something so magnificent, like a pond you’ve built, all to yourself. A good opportunity to get out there and date someone else who’s interested in newts.”
“Very funny,” Dad says, rolling his eyes.
“I wasn’t joking!”
“He’s got a point, Dad,” I say, propping the phone up on the table in the middle of us, so that I don’t have to hold it all the time. “Have you thought about trying some dates?”
“What is this, an intervention?” He shakes his head. “I’m too old for all that nonsense.”
“You just said you were a young spring chicken,” Adrian points out. “If you’re not too old to dig a bloody pond in your garden, then you’re not too old to date.”
“No one is too old to date,” I add, Adrian nodding along as he bites into some toast, washing it down with his morning coffee. “Why don’t we get you set up on some dating sites?”
“Thank you, but no,” Dad says firmly. “I’ve told you before, I’m not interested. I’m too set in my ways. I don’t need anyone coming in and shaking things up.”
Adrian and I share a knowing look. Dad uses excuses like these all the time. Truth is, we think he’s too scared to get back out there and be vulnerable with someone again. I don’t want to push him into something he doesn’t want to do, but it would be nice for him to have some company.
Aside from the newts.
“Speaking of someone coming in and shaking things up, I have a new love interest,” Adrian announces. “We’ve been on three dates and so far I haven’t managed to fuck it up. I hope you’re both suitably impressed.”
“That is exciting!” I say, leaning in toward the phone. “Who’s the lucky guy?”
“His name is Nolan and he’s New York born and bred. Very good-looking, very smart, highly successful.”
“He sounds perfect,” Dad comments, raising his eyebrows. “What’s he doing dating you?”
“Ha!Good one, Dad,” I say, nodding approvingly as he chuckles at his own joke.
“I’ll have you know that in New York, I’m considered charming and witty,” Adrian replies with a smile. “It’s my English accent. It fools them all.”
“How did you meet him?” I ask. “He sounds like a catch.”
“Through a friend; he’s her colleague. We’re going to a baseball game today. He hasn’t seen my competitive nature yet, so it will be a good test to see if he really likes me. I hope I don’t put him off.”
“It sounds like you’re very excited about this one,” Dad says warmly. “When do we get to meet him?”
“Dad! This is our fourth date. We’re a long way from meeting the parents.”
“You can bring him home when my pond’s ready,” Dad suggests. “When you see him today, tell him he’s very welcome.”
“Yes, Dad, great idea,” Adrian says sarcastically. “I’ll ask himon the fourth time I’ve met him to fly home toEnglandwith me, meet my dad, my sister, and a bunch of newts. Very sexy chat.” He shakes his head, laughing. “Freya, how was France?”
“It was lovely, thanks. Very sunny and the wedding was gorgeous, as expected.”
“Dare I ask how it went with you-know-who there? Or are we avoiding that question?”
“Dad tactfully avoided it when I arrived home earlier,” I inform him.
“I was waiting to see if you wanted to talk about it,” Dad reveals, shifting in his seat. “I didn’t want to ask outright in case you felt uncomfortable.”
“You can always rely on me to get straight to the point,” Adrian says through a mouthful of toast. “So? What happened? Did you kick him in the nuts, Round Two?”
