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Chapter 36

‘We might as well lay all our cards on the table,’ said Emmalina, flopping her pink sparkly handbag onto the table and climbing onto a chair opposite Alyssa, Devan grabbing a seat next to her. ‘I know you’re secretly snogging my dad.’

Alyssa’s eyes widened, taking in Devan’s daughter for the first time as they assembled for the date for three in I Scream for Ice Cream in the neighbouring town of Taybury. Emmalina looked just like her mum Sylvie had at that age – huge brown eyes with natural lashes to die for, and brunette hair for days. Though she was definitely bolshier.

‘Told you she was forward, for her eleven and a half years,’ said Devan, with a low whistle.

‘We’re just good friends,’ Alyssa said kindly. She was just about used to the idea of meeting Emmalina, even though it seemed like a tentative step towards being the sort of person who stuck around. But Alyssa wasn’t ready to let the young girl get her heart set on her and Devan having a committed thing.

Emmalina broke into a grin. ‘Hey, whatever you’re up to, I’m cool with it. I know how being an adult works.’

‘I wish I did.’ Alyssa smiled. ‘Want to give me some tips?’

‘Sure.’ Emmalina shrugged. ‘If you’re buying the ice cream. Although I’m not having that weird thing with the peanut butter. I’m strictly a strawberry sundae kinda girl.’

‘Whatever you fancy is good with me,’ said Alyssa, handing out the menus.

They took a moment to choose, talking through the options before going with what they’d all originally been drawn to.

‘Your first instinct is usually the right one,’ Emmalina said breezily, like a person who’d seen it all.

When the waiter had brought their orders – two Peanut Butter Triple Beasts and a Strawberry Fields Forever – the three of them chatted about all sorts, from Emmalina’s love of football to her aversion to green jelly, to her favourite singer, Doja Cat – whom she adored, apart from the swearing. It was sweet how Devan fussed over his daughter, making sure she had the right spoon for her sundae and that her chair wasn’t too wobbly. It was equally cute how Emmalina told him to stop being a dork because she knew how to ask for cutlery. Alyssa was relieved that the conversation seemed to flow and found herself genuinely interested to hear Emmalina’s quirky take on things. Though as the random chat and their light-hearted banter tailed off, Alyssa sensed her new young friend was building up to something. She could also tell she wouldn’t beat around the bush.

‘If you do happen to be sucking face with my dad at any point, there is one condition. Hypothetically of course.’

Alyssa raised her eyebrows.

‘You have to be nice to him.’

No pressure.

‘I mean, I know he can be annoying at times. Like, he’s super keen on stuff being tidy, and he gets a bit geeky about computer coding. I get it if things don’t work out and you decide to dump him. Hypothetically.’

‘Hey thanks,’ Devan added, with a hint of sarcasm.

‘What I mean is, if you do decide to give the poor guy a chance and it doesn’t work out, let him down gently, OK? Don’t just run off or ghost him. That happened to my older friend Jade when she went out with a boy from Taybury High. It was so not cool. I had to spend a whole week of the summer holidays handing her tissues. Communication is kinder.’

‘I agree.’ Alyssa reached out a hand and squeezed Emmalina’s, trying not to feel the guilt of the last time she’d run out on Devan, which hadn’t exactly been her fault. ‘Hypothetically.’

Emmalina eyeballed her for a long moment before grinning and turning the squeeze into a handshake. ‘Sounds like a deal.’

It did? Alyssa swallowed hard, sensing it wasn’t one to be taken lightly. She stole a glance at Devan, who looked apologetic.

‘Don’t think I’m picking on you,’ Emmalina bounced on. ‘I know Mum’s going out with Jess from the shop – for real – and I’ve said the same to her. I do approve of Jess, but I’m going to have a word about her bringing back the penny sweets display. How do they want kids to stick around and love Hartglove, if they’re not fully catered for? I’m not all about the treats,’ she clarified, digging out the last spoonful of her syrupy sundae. ‘I’ve been trying to promote girls’ football, because we need a better team and more prospects, if we want the town buzzing again. Sweets, strawberries, sport. That’s balance, right?’

This kid could take over the world.

‘And I like what you and Dad are doing to bring more love to Hartglove,’ Emmalina added. ‘The app is getting more people dating. I’m excited about the hall reopening, with more clubs and parties. And in Design and Technology, I’ve been making a suggestions box so we can collect more ideas for improvements. It’s my hometown and I don’t want it to be called loveless again.’

Alyssa gave her a high five, sure this young woman was already adding fuel to her own small fire.

As they gathered their coats, with Alyssa and Emmalina due to meet Sylvie for tango night dress shopping, Emmalina grabbed Alyssa’s arm.

‘I saw your parents in The Rat and Raspberry last week, when Mum took me for steak pie night. Your dad wouldn’t stop going on about you. He’s so proud of you.’

He was?

Emmalina rolled her eyes. ‘Embarrassing dads, hey?’