“It sounds as though he just wants to treat her. She’s a lovely girl. It’s not surprising that he’s taken a shine to her.”
“But she’s not his daughter, she’s mine! And if Nadia moves in with him, then Summer won’t need me. She’ll have ‘Daddy Rob’.”
“You’re always going to be Summer’s dad. No matter what. And you’ll still get to see her just as often, maybe even more. If things go well then I bet Nadia and Rob would be glad of some time alone.”
Darius sneered, his nose crumpling. It was a rare moment when he looked ugly. “I don’t want to think of their alone time, thank you very much.”
“I was only saying…”
“Well, don’t. They can swing from the chandeliers wearing gimp masks and bondage gear for all I care. What does bother me is Nadia moving Summer to the other end of the country.”
That startled me. Could Nadia do that? I worked for a family law firm, but only in the office. The extent of my input was typing up notes and keeping on top of filing. My legal knowledge was hazy to say the least.
“Rob’s house is in Devon. Fucking Devon! You can’t get much further away from Newcastle than that. If Summer’s there then I’ll have no choice but to move down south. Commuting there and back every other weekend would be impossible. It’s six hours’ drive each way and that’s on a good day. Longer still during the summer months when all the holidaymakers are there.”
Darius’s expression had changed, less crumpled and more crushed. I knew him well enough to tell he was defeated, and no wonder he was so upset, if what he said was true.
“That’s terrible. What would you do? Would you really move down there? You’d have to get a new job, and it’s an expensive part of the country to live.” I sounded like a property expert when the only experience I had of the field was watching Phil and Kirstie on Location, Location, Location. Darius, on the other hand, knew about house prices. Johnny’s company led the property development field, and Darius’s role in the firm was directly related to sales.
“Exactly, and jobs aren’t easy to come by. Not decent ones. That’s why I needed to speak to you.”
“I can’t help you get a job at the other end of the country, if that’s what you’re hoping for.”
“It wasn’t. I’m happy working with Johnny.”
Darius licked his lips until they were shiny and slick. It was disconcerting thinking of the places that tongue had been. The memories made me clench my thighs together.
I diverted my eyes and studied the can of Sprite, trying to ignore the sensation that the action stirred, but it was difficult. I hated myself for even thinking it, but my body’s instinctive reaction had me wondering if Tawna was right after all, maybe I should give him a second chance.
But if that was the case, then why had I still been thinking about Max? He obviously wasn’t interested – he’d have asked for my phone number if he was – but still, when I remembered how it felt to have my hand knotted in his at the pub, the downy hairs of his arm skimming against my skin, it eclipsed my nostalgic Darius-induced tummy-flutters tenfold.
The silence between Darius and me was uncomfortable, but drowned out by the noise of children screeching with delight as they sprung up and down.
“Nadia did give me another option. A way of ensuring her and Summer stay in Liverpool. That’s what I wanted to speak to you about. I hoped you’d be able to help.”
I caught his eyes once more, the same eyes I’d lost myself in so many times before. Then I looked across at Summer, bouncing on a nearby trampoline, her hair following half a beat behind her body. She might be growing up fast, but she’s still so small in the scheme of things. Her life is in other people’s hands.
The thought of her being taken so far away from Darius hurt my heart. He was her father, and he adored her. Newcastle to Liverpool was one thing, but Newcastle to Devon was another altogether.
“I’ll do whatever I can to help stop her being taken further away from you.”
His posture loosened, the tension in his body melting away. “That’s what I was hoping you’d say. Thanks, Soph. Thank you.” What he said next filled me with panic. “Nadia has said she’ll stay in Liverpool on one condition – that I pay her mortgage on top of the money I already give her for Summer. Six months’ payment upfront.” My mouth was dry. I knew where this was heading. “I wondered if you’d loan me the money. I wouldn’t ask, but it’s not just for me, it’s for Summer.”
He looked at me, his puppy-dog eyes pleading, and I inwardly groaned. If there was one thing Darius had always been good at it was pushing my buttons.
Chapter 12
Eve tightened her hold on my arm as she let out a long, pained sigh. “My feet are killing me already. These heels aren’t meant for walking.”
“Car-to-bar shoes,” Tawna said cheerily. “Mine are pinching too, but just think of the alcohol. Johnny’s hired cocktail makers for the night. We thought we might have a cocktail hour at the wedding, so this is their trial run.”
It was the night of Johnny’s birthday celebration. His annual bash was a legendary affair, as much a chance to network with the North East’s most powerful business people as a social event. The Indian restaurant he’d hired out had been getting rave reviews. It boasted a rooftop terrace bar with stunning views over the Tyne, and the warm, bright evening was the perfect opportunity to try it out. Johnny was footing the bill, naturally, and the champagne would be freely flowing until the last
