Page 84 of Yearning Difficulties

‘I’d love you to come tonight,’ I told her.

She smiled at me, seemingly aware of how big an admission that was for me. A genuine, grateful smile. ‘Thank you, Zella.’

I checked my reflection in Dad’s car mirrors when we reached the large and intimidating Lake Pristine Country Club. It was an old stately home that had been converted into a private club for the town, and Dad whistled as we parked on the west side.

‘Should I have sprayed my hair brown?’ I asked him.

A lot of the town were already entering the party. Jasper Montgomery and Arthur Lancaster were walking by our car, dressed as Morticia and Gomez Addams.

‘Nerdy cinema fact,’ Arthur called over, nodding to my hair. ‘Judy Garland’s hair was red when they filmed the movie. They coloured it brown for the release but in some shots, you can still see the red.’

I smiled gratefully and Jasper pulled a face that made me laugh.

‘Trust him on that,’ she said as the two of them made their way inside. ‘He runs a movie house.’

Dad took in my costume, from my gingham dress to my ruby slippers and smiled. ‘Need me to come in? I can still use my job as leverage to chaperone.’

I snorted. ‘That sounds like a threat, not a help.’

He laughed, too. ‘Fair enough. You’re okay? I know . . . I know Halloween is hard for you.’

I looked up at the vast country manor. It had been decorated with bright, multi-coloured outdoor fairy lights, and Jack-o’-lanterns lined the path to the oak front doors.

‘A year ago today,’ Dad added, ‘I had to drag you out of a Halloween party.’

I grinned. ‘I know. Broke out of prison for a night.’

His smile faded. ‘Your mother and I fought about it. She said you needed all the parties you could get.’

I glanced at him. ‘It’s okay, Dad.’

‘No,’ he said, his voice suddenly emotional. ‘It’s not okay. You’re such a good kid. I should have trusted you. You were going through so much. I shouldn’t have held on so tight.’

‘I was on and off with Dave Valvert,’ I allowed. ‘That speaks to someone without a lot of sound judgement.’

‘True. He’s no Killian Bergery.’

I stopped smiling altogether. ‘Dad.’

‘I know, I know. None of my business.’

‘He has a girlfriend.’

‘Does he?’

‘Almost. It’s not official yet but it will be.’

‘And you two were never . . .’

‘No. It was all pretend.’

I’d almost said it was all a dream. And it had felt like that. Life in colour, instead of Lake Pristine sepia.

I forced a smile onto my face and gave Dad a small salute. ‘I’ll get a ride home.’

‘Yeah, right. See you at midnight. Click your heels and I’ll bring you home.’

I started to move away when he said my name. Softly, in a way that alerted me to something serious. I gave him my full attention, tensing.