Page 59 of Limits
‘WhereisMillie?’
‘Oh, she had to go home on time tonight. On pins and needles all afternoon about “getting ready”. She headed off at four to the hairdresser’s.’
‘I thought she was just meeting her parents?’ Pav asked, frowning in confusion. His mama was lucky if he shaved before he came home to see them. Don turned around in his chair to face Pav and gave him a shrewd look.
‘She hasn’t talked to you about her parents much, has she?’
‘Er … what makes you say that?’ Pav said, sending his own shrewd look Don’s way.
‘Because if you knew anything about that girl’s parents you would never say she wasjustgoing to meet them. Do you know who her father is?’
Pav crossed his arms over his chest and he frowned. ‘How about you stop speaking in riddles, Don?’
Don huffed and rolled his eyes. ‘You’re nottryinghard enough.’
‘What does that mean?’
‘It means that you, my boy, need to ask more questions. Do you know how long it is since Millie’s seen her parents?’
‘I … well, she doesn’t really talk about her folks. I know Gammy. She’s quite the character. But …’
‘Her grandmother’s a different story altogether. You must have been aware that Milliehasparents. Why haven’t you asked her, for God’s sake?’
‘Well, I overheard her on the phone to her mum once. I guess the convo did seem a bit off to me but … I …’ Pav scratched the back of his neck and then glared down at Don. ‘Here’s an idea: why don’t you tell me?’ he asked through gritted teeth.
Don’s criticism was hitting home in an uncomfortable way. Pav shifted on his feet as he thought about how much the conversation tended to revolve around him when he was with Millie. She always asked him abouthisday,hiswork,hissport,hisfamily. The problem was that everything he said seemed to absolutely fascinate her; it was hard with that level of ego-stroking not to bang on about yourself.
‘She hasn’t seen her mother or father for at least two years.’
‘What? But … but why? Did they fall out?’
‘No.’
‘I don’t understand.’
Don put his hands behind his head and leaned back in his chair to look up at the ceiling. ‘Well,’ he said after a ridiculously long pause. ‘Why don’t you take the initiative andfind out?’
‘I guess I’ll ask her tomorrow but –’
‘No,’ Don said, his normally soft voice now firm. ‘You find out tonight. Go with her and meet them.’
‘She doesn’t want me to, Don.’
‘Millie may not want you to, but what Millie wants and what she needs are two different things. I can’t believe you’re going to take that lying down either. You’re such a pushy bastard about everything else.’
‘I’m not sure I –’
‘Just go,’ Don snapped. ‘She’s not leaving till eight. You can catch her at home.’
Pav ran his hands through his hair and then put them on his hips. ‘Right, okay, but if she’s furious I’m going to heap the blame on you, old man.’
As Pav turned to leave Don shouted out after him: ‘Put on a suit and shave. You’ll thank me. I promise.’
Chapter 27
Huge asset
‘What are you doing here?’ Millie asked after she’d wrenched open her front door. Pav’s mouth fell open and he took a step back.
