Page 91 of Dr. Single Dad

“How is the pool?” asks Dad. “Do you use it a lot?”

“Not yet. Guinevere is a bit little. I think when she gets to three months.”

“But you’ve been in for a swim?” Mum asks.

“Not yet,” I say. “I will when I get some time.”

When we get up to the ground floor, my four visitors start to pace the place.

“This is the furniture from your flat in Marylebone?” Ellie asks.

“Yeah. I need to get new stuff, obviously.”

“Yes, you do,” Mum says. “You can’t just have a two-seater sofa and a TV in this space.” She looks around.

“It looks like you’re squatting,” Dad says.

“Sometimes you need to live in a space before you know what to do with it,” Ellie says, ever the diplomat. “Oh and I brought you these.” She pulls out a paper bag. “Just flapjacks.”

I groan. “Thanks so much.” Ellie’s flapjacks aren’t just flapjacks. There’s a little piece of heaven in every bite.

“Is that what it is?” Mum asks. “Do you want to live in the space before you buy furniture? Doesn’t sound much like you.”

It’s impossible to keep anything from my mother. She can read me like a book. “There are a lot of moving parts at the moment. I’m juggling work and Guinevere. I’ve only been in this house a couple of weeks. Give me a break.”

“Has Eira seen it?” she asks.

Like a book.

“Yes. She came to view it with me.”

She’s nodding. “And she liked it?”

“Yes, she did.” Every room I walk into, I see her here, even though she never lived here. Being here without her feels wrong. That’s why I’ve not bought any furniture. That’s why it looks like I haven’t moved in properly. Because I want Eira here first. I don’t want this to be my place. I want it to beourplace.

“And when’s the last time you saw her?” Mum asks.

I groan. “Dad, can you distract Mum please? I feel a lecture coming on.”

“Well, some of you boys need a little shove in the right direction now and then,” Mum says.

“Quite right,” Dad says. “That’s our job. A little elbow to the ribs, a short, sharp kick to the shins.” He grins like beating up his sons is at the top of the list of things he likes to do.

“I’m a single dad,” I say. “I need your support and sympathy, not physical violence.”

“You’re just fine on the fatherhood thing. I’m not worried about that,” Mum says. “That’s just parenthood. ButEira, on the other hand?—”

She’s interrupted by the doorbell. I don’t even try to disguise the pleasure I feel in walking away from the impending lecture.

“Get yourself drinks,” I call over my shoulder. “Whoever it is will probably need me for at least an hour.”

I’m still smiling as I open the door and find myself face-to-face with Eira. Emotions tangle in my stomach, and I have to stamp out the urge to pounce on her and pull her against my chest.

“Hi,” she says and gives a little wave when I don’t say anything. “I figured you would have moved in by now. I bought you a plant as a housewarming.” She holds up a spider plant with a big red bow on it.

I’ve lost all words. I go to speak but nothing comes out. It’s just so good to see her. I wasn’t sure whether this day would ever come.

“Oh,” she says, her gaze leaving my face for the first time since I opened the door as she beams at my chest. “I didn’t notice Guinevere. You’re using the baby carrier we bought.” She looks up at me as if I’ve made all her dreams come true. “That’s wonderful, Dax.” She reaches forward and pats Guinevere on her bottom. “She’s such a good baby.”

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