CAL
“Beth, can you believe Harper is our cousin?” Livvie says in the back seat of the car.
“I don’t know who she is.” Bethy yawns.
“She’s in my dance group.”
“You’ll meet her soon enough.” I glance at Priya in the passenger seat as she rubs my arm. I told her she didn’t have to come, but she’s tagged along for moral support. For the girls mainly, it’s daunting meeting family you don’t know for the first time.
They were shy with Priya’s parents, and they’ve met them several times and spoke on video calls. It’s different with my mum, though. She’s like a second home for the girls. Mum would always have them when we needed childcare.
“Take the next left and you will reach your destination.” I follow the sat nav’s instructions and arrive at a modest single-storey house surrounded by a large garden.
The warm air makes my skin sticky, and I tug at the shirt I’m wearing to fan me down. I’m still not used to this heat in the middle of November.
Priya takes hold of my vibrating hand. “You can do this,” she whispers.
I swallow and inhale a deep breath before stepping out of the car.
The girls follow, and Bethy clutches my arm. Bending down, I scoop her up. Somehow, holding her in my arms gives me the extra confidence I need to keep moving forward. The twenty-minute journey here had me wanting to turn around every other mile.
Children run around the side of the house onto the front lawn. “Olivia’s here.” The girl runs around the side of the house before Helen appears waving us around the back.
I cling on to Bethy, her legs dangle around my waist as she rests on my side. Her spindly arms cling to my neck, and I kiss her cheek to reassure her that everything is all right, despite my trepidation.
I spot Danni’s dark hair flowing over a yellow sundress as I round the house to an even larger garden, all perfectly landscaped and pruned. I never pictured Daddy dearest as an avid gardener. He never did shit when he lived with me and Mum, other than drink.
Helen calls out, “Callum, I’m so glad you made it.” She wipes her hands on her apron and hugs Priya. “You must be Callum’s wife. Welcome to our home.”
Priya opens her mouth to correct her, but Danni follows and gives her a kiss on the cheek. “Hello, I’m Danni. We’ve actually met at dancing.”
“Ah yes. I thought I recognised you.”
“This must be your other daughter.” Danni looks at Bethy.
“Yeah, this is Bethy-boo.” She buries her head in my neck. “Do you want to play?”
“My son is running around somewhere. He’s about your age.”
Bill leaves the barbecue and gingerly steps closer. “I’m glad you made it, son.”
“Sure. This is Priya. We’re not married. Not even together, but she’s the closest family I have here. I hope you don’t mind me bringing her.”
“Of course not.” Helen places an arm around Priya. “What would you like to drink? Would the girls like some lemonade?”
I whisper to Beth, “Do you wanna go with Mummy and get a drink?” I wipe the hair from her face, and she nods, biting her fingernail as I put her down.
“Can I get you a drink, Callum? I don’t have any beer, I’m afraid. We’re teetotal in this house, but I can offer you a ginger ale?”
“Fine. I’m driving anyway.” I rock back on my heels and press my lips together while Dad pulls a bottle of ginger ale from the cooler. The women are all chatting amongst themselves.
Daddy dearest opens the bottle and hands it to me. “Cheers.”
I take a swig, holding the drink in my mouth before I swallow hard with a gulp.
Dad looks around and points to the women. “I see they’ve all hit it off.”
I nod and smirk. “Yeah.”