Page 89 of Where She Is
Dad breezes in, “Ahh, darling. How was your day? Good?”
“Not bad, how was yours?”
“Lovely. I’ve been in the garden and got a lot done. It’s given me time to think. Can you two come and talk to me for five minutes?”
Daniel and I glance at each other as we follow him into thelounge. “Is there a problem?” Daniel asks. Dad turns his head then carries on walking as he replies, “Only if you make one.”
Daniel looks to me and I silently shrug my shoulders.
“Sit now,” dad gestures. “I want to talk about your plans for the future.” My stomach swirls. I hope he isn’t going to ask Daniel what his intentions are. Our situation is already tricky and I might just melt into a puddle of embarrassment, but then I realise I’ve underestimated my father. He would only put Daniel on the spot like that if he was pulling his leg.
“It’s as clear as the nose on your face, you’re trying to make a very hard decision, Hannah.”
“Don’t be silly, Dad.”
He smirks. “Hang on a minute, darling. Let me finish. As I was saying, you don’t want to leave me, which I can understand. We’ve just lost your mother, and everyone is very emotional at the moment. I think you’re letting these feelings impede your decision-making.”
We wait for his next words while his finger rubs the creases of his forehead. His eyes shut tight. “I’m not saying this very well…. so I’ll be straight with you.” He sits up and smiles, “Daniel, when you look at my daughter, I can tell exactly how you feel because you see her in the same way as I saw her mother. If I’m reading you right boy, you’re in love with my daughter, yes?”
Daniel takes my hand, “I am Stewart, yes.” At that point we only have eyes for each other for just a few seconds before I break the contact between us. I shift in my seat, bringing my attention back to dad, whose smile has grown considerably.
“There it is. There’s the look. It’s very rare in life to find someone who you love so completely and who loves you the same in return. We could tell a while ago you two were falling. Every time your mother and I spoke to you on FaceTime, by the photos you sent home, we could see the love between you both. I can’t be a part of breaking that bond. I want you to go back toAustralia, Hannah, and live your life with Daniel. It’s meant to be.”
His words are amazing, but I imagine a small part of his heart breaking. He is letting me go to be with the man I love, but I also love my dad. He’s doing this for me and I love him all the more for it, but I’m still not sure I can return to Sydney. I don’t think I can take the burden of leaving him by himself. Before I open my mouth, Daniel cuts in, “Thank you, Stewart. You’re prepared to let your daughter go and that means a lot, it really does, but I’ve got something to tell you both.” I give Daniel a puzzled look. I’m slightly worried about what he will say. He doesn’t want me to go back with him?
“In the office today, I was sorting out my flights. There are things I need to arrange and some business to take care of.” He turns to me and places the palm of his hand on my face and speaks to me directly, “It was always my intention for us to be together, Han. For always. You’re a part of me now and I love you so much, it hurts.”
I’m silent, still unsure of what this means.
“I’ve been making plans. This decision was pulling your heart apart and I don’t want you to hurt like this. Not after everything that’s happened. I’m not just talking about losing your mum, I’m talking about the stuff we went through at home. You’ve stuck with me through some tough times and handled more shit and trouble than any partner should have to. It’s my responsibility to be strong for both of us right now.” His Adam's apple sticks in his throat as he swallows deeply. “I’m taking the decision out of your hands.”
“You are?” I’m fearful, almost scared to hear how this will end and what he’s decided.
“I’ve decided to move here, to England.”
Relieved tears threaten to overflow as I choke out my response, “Wh… what? Oh, my God, you can’t! What about your family?” It’s a knee-jerk reaction.
“I’ve spoken to them. We’ve talked everything through, several times. It makes sense.”
My dad interrupts at this point. He knows this has come out of the blue and there are things we need to talk about.
“Right, you two, I’ve put my two-penneth in. Hannah, please don’t stay here out of loyalty to me. I want you to be happy. In fact, I want you both to be happy, so I’ll leave you to talk now. Whatever you decide, you have my full support.” He smiles before leaving and squeezes my shoulder on his way out. As soon as the door closes behind him, Daniel wastes no time in telling me his plans.
“I’ve already put the wheels in motion. We can do this, baby. My dad is on board for me to transfer offices to London.”
He seems so enthusiastic. Does he realise what a move like this would mean?
“What about your parents and Joe? What will they do without you?” He gives me one of his killer smiles. “Mum told me she was looking forward to holidaying more in the UK, although I’d be lying if I said she was overjoyed. She’ll get used to it,” he smirks. “And Joe was happy that we’d worked it out. Actually, I have some news but you have to keep a secret.” He Takes a deep breath and says, “Joe has somebody.”
Now it’s my turn to raise an eyebrow. “I beg your pardon?”
“He’s started seeing someone.”
“You’re kidding me.”
I am truly shocked and strangely disappointed; when all is said and done, he’s still married. Surely it should mean something, shouldn’t it? Then I think about Freya. How she is a first-class meddling bitch. I won’t deny I’m scared of the lengths she has gone to, to get what she wants, which is ultimately, my man. She can’t leave him alone, which makes her a constant thought at the back of Daniel’s mind and a noose around Joe’s neck.
“Hannah, where have you gone?” he asks trying to catch my eyes.
