Family For Beginners

“Yes, but not as tough as it has been for Jack and the children. It can’t be easy for Izzy, seeing her dad with someone else.” Clare jumped out of bed and headed for the shower. She didn’t protest when Todd followed. He’d designed the bathroom, adding skylights and widening the room. He’d then proceeded to install a walk-in shower with more than enough space for both of them.

Clare started to wash her hair, and then let him take over. “Did you see Izzy’s face when she came back last night?” His hands were gentle and soothing and she closed her eyes. The sex was good, but so was this. “I think she’d been crying. I feel bad for her.”

“I feel bad for Flora.” Todd turned off the water and handed her a towel. “You didn’t say much to her, Clare.”

She felt a twinge of guilt. “You know I’m shy.”

“Are you sure that’s what it was?”

His question forced her to face an uncomfortable possibility. Had she been using shyness as an excuse?

With anyone else she would have made excuses. “No.” She forced herself to admit it. “It was probably more than that. It felt difficult, Todd. My tongue was in a knot. I kept thinking about Becca. You know I’m not good with strangers at the best of times, and Flora—”

“It’s awkward, I get it, but sweetheart it’s pretty damn awkward for her, too.”

“Yes.” And now she felt bad that she’d been focusing on herself and not Flora. “I’ll try harder.” She rubbed her hair with the towel and then styled it roughly with her fingers.

“It must be hard seeing Jack with someone else. All I’m saying is that I don’t think it’s easy for her, either.”

Guilt slid through her. “I promise I’ll try to be more chatty.” She smoothed sunscreen onto her bare arms, thinking about the night before. “I didn’t expect her to jump to Izzy’s defense like that. I think Flora was genuinely concerned for her, don’t you?”

“Yes, but I can see why it’s hard on Izzy.” Todd moved round their bedroom with swift efficiency, dressing quickly and retrieving his keys and phone from the jacket he’d worn the day before.

“I’ve never known her to have a meltdown like that. What would you do if Aiden suddenly announced he didn’t want to go to medical school?”

“I’d think about all the money we’d save on fees. I’d book a round the world cruise.” His sense of humor sometimes drove her insane.

“You would not.”

“All right, maybe I wouldn’t. Cruising isn’t for me. I’d sit him down and have a father and son talk. There’d be lots of frowning and serious expressions. I might pound my fist on the table.”

“You’ve never pounded your fist in your life.”

“There’s always a first time. I’d want to know why he’d changed his mind.” His hair was still spiky and damp from his second shower and she thought to herself that he looked almost the same as when she’d met him twenty years before.

“Exactly.”

“Are you making some point here? Because I need it underlined.”

“I’m trying to work out why Izzy has changed her mind.”

Todd slid his phone into the pocket of his shorts. “I’m no psychologist, but if you want my opinion, Flora had it just right. She’s had a traumatic year. That kind of thing is bound to shake you up.”

What if it was more than that?

Flora had thought it was more than that. Clare had seen it in her face.

She stared out of the window. Should she try talking to Izzy? “Is anyone downstairs yet? I’m wondering what the atmosphere will be like at breakfast.”

“There’s food involved. Atmosphere’s are always improved by food. And then there’s the fact that dogs and small children are no respecter of atmospheres.” Todd kissed her briefly. “Stop worrying. They’re not casual acquaintances. They’re like family.”

But family didn’t always hold back, did they? If their relationship hadn’t been so close, all the tensions might have stayed beneath the surface.

“I hope you’re right.”

“Put the coffee on. I’ll be down in a minute.”

But it wasn’t Todd who joined her first in the kitchen, it was Flora. Judging from the dark smudges under her eyes she hadn’t had any more sleep than Clare.