Family For Beginners

Izzy grabbed her backpack and left the room, closing the door quietly behind her.

Chase stood at the door she’d just shut in his face, wagged his tail in a bemused fashion and whined slightly.

Flora was as confused as the dog.

“Don’t worry!” Having submitted to sunscreen, Molly sprinted across the room to him, wrapped her arms round his neck and kissed his head. “You’re coming with us. You’re going to be pirate dog. Say ‘aye aye, Cap’n.’”

Chase barked and Molly collapsed with laughter.

Flora glanced at Jack, wondering if he was going to go after Izzy. “Jack?”

“Mmm.” He grabbed sun hats and sunglasses. Flora could almost see him ticking things off on a mental list.

“When are we going, Daddy?” Molly was tugging on his arm and fidgeting.

Flora tried again. “Jack!”

He looked at her. “What?”

“Daddy?”

“Soon. In a minute.” He hushed Molly and focused on Flora. “What’s wrong?”

“Izzy.” She gestured with her head. “Are you going to talk to her?”

He glanced out of the window. “What about? Why?”

“Because—” Hadn’t he seen it? Was she the only one? “I thought she seemed subdued.”

“Probably shock that I remembered to put cheese in Molly’s sandwiches and not ham.” His grin was engaging and Flora couldn’t help but smile back, but it didn’t shift the feeling of anxiety toward Izzy. She wanted to say more, but Molly was virtually dancing toward the door with Chase bouncing next to her.

“Daddy!”

“Coming.” He looked from Izzy to Flora. “She’s fine. Probably my fault for mentioning college again. From now on I’m keeping my mouth zipped. I’m trying to do the right thing, but I’m not sure I even know what that is.”

He left with Molly, taking the chaos, the chatter and Chase with them.

Flora glanced through the window and saw Izzy sitting on one of the sunloungers, her shoulders slumped as she stared across the lake.

She turned, intending to mention it to Clare, but before the words were even on her lips Clare’s phone rang.

“What? You’re kidding. Mum!” Her face lost color as she listened. “Are you okay?—well, of course—that goes without saying. I’ll be with you in three minutes.” Clare ended the call and dropped the phone on the kitchen table.

“Problems?”

“My mother cut her finger chopping mushrooms.” Clare grabbed her bag. “She said it isn’t bad, but I know my mother. She wouldn’t be calling if it wasn’t almost hanging off. She’s probably lost her hand. Maybe even her arm. Damn. And Todd is so much better with blood and injuries than I am. I panic. Where are my keys? I can’t find my keys. I know I had them.”

Flora joined the hunt and found them next to a stack of old magazines. “Do you want me to come?”

“No, no, I’m fine—” Clare dropped her keys “—totally fine—”

“Are you safe to drive?” Flora retrieved the keys and handed them to her.

“Why wouldn’t I be safe?” Clare scanned the kitchen.

“You seem a little—distracted. What are you looking for?”

“Something in case she bleeds in the car. My mind is blank. You’re right, I’m distracted.” Clare pressed her fingers to her forehead and breathed. “This is called overreacting, isn’t it?”