Page 66 of Take My Hand

OSCAR

Shit you really do like her. I’ll call you tomorrow just off out with Sarah.

ZAK

SARAH JACOBS!! When did that happen?

OSCAR

It’s not! We’re in charge of prom after party so we’re checking out venues.

ZAK

I thought Luke’s parents said you could have it there??

OSCAR

Changed their minds because he got caught smoking a spliff! He’s a dick anyway.

ZAK

Told you that in year six! Speak tomorrow mate. Say hello to Sarah for me. Oh and tell her to tell Deacon I’ll message him about him staying here when he comes to check out the Uni.

OSCAR

Will do.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Will

Maddy had gone up to her room, leaving Maya and I alone in my living room. The fire was on, flickering artificial flames, the lights were down, and we were both nursing a beer. We’d been talking so much we’d barely taken a drink since we’d sat down almost an hour before. I didn’t think I’d ever felt as at peace as I did then.

There’d been times of great happiness in my life, mostly since I’d become a dad. Maddy was a constant joy. Times at the bar had been fun—some nights we’d laughed until our sides ached. I think Marcus had actually snorted beer down his nose on one occasion. Peace, though, that I’d never felt. There’d always been a worry in the back of mind while I was laughing or watching my daughter with pride. There’d always been bills to pay, orders to place or worries if Maddy was happy or being bullied.

Sitting next to Maya, knowing Maddy was safe upstairs, happy and enjoying her life, everything felt… fuck, I didn’t know how to describe it other than serene. Like I was lying in thewarmest pool, feeling boneless, floating around with not a single worry in my head.

“But my brother Jack’s mother-in-law, Carol, is a horrible woman,” Maya said, continuing the story she’d been telling me.

I laughed, loving hearing about her family. Maybe it was because I didn’t have one of my own, or maybe I just loved hearing her voice.

“Why is she horrible?”

She screwed up her face. “Apart from the fact that she was my history teacher in secondary school and hated me, she’s too strict with Jack’s kids and Daisy’s only six, George, is four and Claudia is two. They should be allowed to have fun before real life starts.” A giggle erupted. “Although Daisy did wrap her favourite necklace in toilet paper and flush it down the loo.”

“Sounds like she deserved it. Spoilsport.”

Humour flashed through her forest-green eyes. “I might have wrapped it in tissue for her.”

She giggled again, and all the sweetness and joy of it wrapped around me, making me want to stay there with her for as long as humanly possible.

“Anyway,” she continued, “this boyfriend of Maddy’s, what’s he like?” She pulled the thick wool throw over her shoulder and looked at me expectantly.

“You cold?” I asked, leaning towards the fire. “I can turn it up.”

“No.” She hugged her shoulders up towards her ears. “I’m lovely and toasty.”

“Just say if you are.”

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