Page 56 of Prognosis Bad Timing

Dana’s eyes lit up. ‘Charlie!’ She threw out her arms and hugged his legs.

Charlie looked down at her blonde head and felt a swell of tenderness deep inside. He felt honoured to be so easily accepted into Dana’s world.

And a little scared.

He crouched down. ‘You look like you fell into a paint can,’ he teased.

‘Mummy said the same thing.’ Dana giggled.

Charlie looked up at Carrie. He caught the confusion in her eyes before returning his attention to Dana. ‘Hah! Great minds think alike.’

‘Did you bringed your dukebox?’ Dana asked, looking over Charlie’s shoulder.

He laughed. ‘No, but I bought something just as good.’ He held up the plastic bag. ‘Ding rolls.’

‘Oh, look, Mummy,’ Dana said clapping her hands. ‘Charlie bought us Chinese.’

Carrie smiled and stroked her daughter’s fringe. ‘Yes, darling. We’d better invite him in, then.’

Carrie stood aside and motioned for Charlie to precede her. He brushed past her and she could smell his aftershave, mingled with the aroma of Chinese cooking. It was a temptingly spicy combination.

‘So you haven’t eaten?’ he asked as he plonked the bag and wine on the marble-topped bench.

Carrie shook her head, lifting Dana up to sit on the bench. ‘Friday and Saturday nights are Susie’s nights off.’

‘She’s my nanny,’ Dana interjected proudly.

‘Friday night is usually too-tired-to-cook night and we have another of Dana’s favourites — two-minute noodles.’

She held up the packet. She’d been just about to add hot water to it when he’d knocked.

‘Yummy, two-minute noodles,’ Charlie said.

‘You like them, too?’ Dana asked.

He nodded. He’d practically lived on them and frozen TV dinners since his separation from Veronica. He was rarely home early enough to be bothered to actually cook anything from scratch. Sunday dinners with his parents were about the only time he consumed fresh vegetables.

‘It’s girls’ night in,’ Dana said, swinging her legs.

‘Oh?’ He quirked an eyebrow at Carrie.

‘It’s nothing,’ she said dismissively. ‘We eat noodles, she gets to drink watered-down orange juice out of a plastic wineglass, I let her stay up a bit later and we put on a CD and dance.’

He shut his eyes and groaned. ‘And I’ve just gate crashed?’ Good one, Charlie.

‘It’s OK. There’ll be plenty more.’

‘Will you dance with us, Charlie?’ Dana asked.

He looked into her eyes and was unable to resist. ‘Of course.’

‘OK, let’s get this food organised,’ Carrie said briskly, her heart contracting at the look that passed between her daughter and the man who, not even two weeks ago, had ravaged her in her bedroom.

Charlie uncorked the wine while Carrie retrieved three plates. She removed the containers from the plastic bag and took their lids off, steam sending a delicious aroma circulating around the kitchen. Dana was allowed to pour her own orange juice.

‘Come on, Sleeping Beauty,’ Charlie said, lifting Dana off the bench and setting her down. He picked up two plates and followed Carrie through to the dining room.

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