She blushed, at once feeling foolish. ‘I’m sorry. I—’
‘No, don’t apologise,’ he cut in forcefully. ‘And don’t lose that look. Come on,’ he took hold of her hand, ‘I’ll buy you some popcorn.’
It was indeed a magic place, for grown-ups as well as children, a world of makebelieve that you became completely caught up in. The rides were spectacular, although Velvet cried off Tunnel Mountain after seeing the warning outside for young children and nervous people. Not that she was either of those things, but she had invariably got sick on such rides as a child, and Vicki came back looking a bit green.
They went on everything, from Futureworld to Adventureland, but the Pirates of the Caribbean was Velvet’s favourite, the mechanical people so well animated they looked real. They watched the parade of Disney characters in the afternoon too—all the old favourites, Donald Duck, Mickey Mouse, and most of the Jungle Book characters.
The Haunted House was good too. Jerard bought them an early dinner in a tavern close by, the girls in here dressed up as serving wenches, the decor strictly in keeping with the era.
‘We’ll have to be leaving soon,’ he said once they emerged out into the evening sunshine.
‘Oh, not yet, Daddy!’ Vicki’s face dropped with disappointment. ‘I wanted to see the castle all lighted—alight—’
‘Lit up,’ her father provided. ‘And that won’t be happening for a couple of hours yet.’ It was still quite light.
‘I’m sure Velvet would like to see the lights too, Daddy,’ she told him, her blue eyes, so like his own, widely innocent.
‘I think that you might border on blackmail, Vicki,’ Velvet chided.
‘Would you like to see the lights?’ Jerard queried tolerantly.
‘Well … yes.’ She looked at him hopefully. He had been so patient up to now, had done everything Vicki suggested, but he still had that long drive back to Fort Lauderdale. ‘But it’s your decision,’ she added reasonably.
‘We’ll stay.’
‘Oh, good!’ Vicki threw her arms about his throat. ‘Can I go on It’s a Small World again?’ she asked excitedly.
He nodded. ‘Velvet and I will wait for you over here,’ he indicated some seats a short distance away. ‘I think twice is enough for us. We’ll see you later.’ He took the Mickey Mouse from her that Velvet had bought her earlier in the day, the stuffed toy leaving her for the first sime since its purchase. It had even had to sit up at the table with them while they ate!
‘Don’t lose him,’ Vicki warned.
‘I won’t,’ her father promised before she disappeared into the crowd.
‘Phew!’ Velvet sank down gratefully on to the seat. ‘I’m exhausted!’
Jerard still looked as fresh as when they had set out that morning, although they must literally have walked miles during the last few hours. ‘I thought you might be,’ he smiled. ‘Which is why I told Vicki to go off on her own. I for one have seen enough of It’s a Small World,’ he grimaced, sitting down beside her.
So had she, but it had been very good—small mobile dolls dressed up in national dresses from all over the world, seen from a boat ride that took you through each changing scene. ‘She’s enjoying herself.’
He quirked a teasing eyebrow at her. ‘So are you.’
She gave a happy laugh. ‘I think we’re all children at heart.’
‘You certainly are.’ His arm rested lightly along her shoulders. ‘I’ve enjoyed today, and mainly because you made it enjoyable. I have to admit I wasn’t really looking forward to coming here, but you’ve helped take the strain out of it. Vicki can be a little—difficult at times.’
‘She likes your undivided attention. Tony went—I’m sorry,’ she bit her lip awkwardly.
‘Tony went …?’ he prompted.
She looked down at her hands. ‘He went through a stage like that a couple of months ago. I believe it happens a lot with single-parent families.’
‘Probably,’ he agreed seriously. ‘Maybe I should get married again.’
‘Yes—yes, perhaps you should.’ She moved away from him, finding the idea of him marrying anyone slightly sickening. She found she had become vaguely possessive over Vicki too, liking the way the little girl ran to her and threw her arms impetuously about her.
This wouldn’t do! She had her own child to go back to, her own life to lead. And it didn’t include this man!
‘How about you?’ Jerard queried casually. ‘Is there a man in your life?’
Only him! ‘Not at the moment,’ she invaded. ‘You?’
‘The same,’ he shrugged.
‘I—’
‘Hey, Daddy,’ Vicki appeared in front of them, breaking the moment of intimacy as she jumped up and down. ‘The lights are going on!’ She took hold of their hands and pulled them both to their feet. ‘Let’s go and look.’
If anything everywhere looked even more beautiful now that it was dark and the lights had come on, even more like a fairytale, and it was with great reluctance that they finally left an hour later. Vicki fell asleep in the back of the car soon after they got away from Disneyworld.
‘Maybe we should stay at the hotel another night,’ Velvet suggested tentatively. ‘After all, you must be tired too.’ She looked questioningly at Jerard.
‘I don’t think that would be a good idea,’ he said deeply.
‘Why?’ she frowned. ‘We could drive back in the morning, my plane doesn’t leave until the afternoon.’
‘It just isn’t a good idea,’ he repeated grimly. ‘Vicki’s already asleep, once we get on the straight road you can join her.’
‘But—’
‘We’re going back to Fort Lauderdale tonight,’ he rasped. ‘I don’t want you to miss your plane.’
He couldn’t have told her more clearly that he was now anxious to get rid of her. He hadn’t wanted her along on this trip in the first place, and even though he was grateful for her help with Vicki, he now wanted her out of his life as soon as possible.
It was a blow to her, his urgency to be parted from her, her own attraction towards him having deepened throughout the
