Page 48 of Rider Forbidden
“So what did Bobby say?”
Dad sighs “He wanted your phone number, I think he thought you might be living with us. He didn't see Elijah. Your mum kept him busy in the playroom we've set up for him. Bobby didn't know that he was there.”
Well, that’s a relief. “What did you tell him?”
“That I’d talk to you, get you to contact him.”
“I'm scared dad. What should I do?”
“What do you know about this guy?”
This is the embarrassing part - where you tell your dad that you know hardly anything about the guy that fathered your child. “Not much dad. We went on some dates, he seemed nice enough, but then I got pregnant and you know the rest - his true colours came out. He seemed like a nice guy until then. He’s a builder, bricklayer I think.” Which is probably what attracted me to him in the first place - he was doing some work in an office building where I worked. We got talking, every day a little more and more, then he asked me out. He seemed nice and he was hot - still is, I guess.
Dad nods “I'm going to get an investigator - to look into him. We know that he’s definitely Elijah's dad, right?”
I blush. “Of course, dad.”
He carries on “Well then, if that’s the case and he wants to see him, there’s not much we can do about that. The way I look at it you have two options for this. You can either go through the court - where things could get messy and costly - meaning that if it doesn't mean enough to him, he’ll back down because he can't afford the fees, or you get to know him. Spend some time with him and see what kind of guy he is.”
I think about it. I don't want Elijah to be involved in a court battle. That’s the last thing I want.
I sigh “I think I like the second option better - I just can't bear the thought of sharing Elijah with anyone.”
“I know honey, but you're going to have to keep an open mind about this - you must have thought this was an option when you came back here - that there was a possibility that you'd run into him again?”
I shake my head. “That’s the problem and where he has me at a disadvantage - I didn't think about him much at all. I didn't think for one second he'd still live around here.”
“Let me have a dig around on him, see what we find out OK?”
I nod, “Thanks, dad. Give me his number, I’ll get in touch with him, I might be doing all this worrying and he might just be after your money or something and have no interest in seeing Elijah.”
“If that’s the case then I'm sure we can come to some agreement.”
I don't know if that makes dad sweet or sordid. “No, dad. He wants that he’s not getting it. Let's see how it goes.”
He stands up to leave and turns back to me, “You look like you were getting on well with Jack, things go OK in Spain did they?”
I get the undercurrent of what he’s asking - did anything happen.
“He’s a nice guy dad, yes everything was fine in Spain.” Can you imagine if I told him what happened there? He'd have a heart attack and I have a feeling he’d be extremely disappointed in me.
“Watch yourself there - he’s got quite the reputation.”
I give him a reproachful look, “He’s fine and dad, you may not have noticed this yet, but I'm all grown up now, I can take care of myself.”
In the light of our current conversation and that he’s helping me out by hiring a private investigator I feel stupid saying that last comment.
I drink the last of the coffee and look at my phone. I guess I should phone Bobby. If I don't get it over with now, then I’ll be thinking about it all day and get myself all worked up thinking the worst.
I punch the number dad gave me into my phone. He picks up first ring.
“Hello?”
“Hey, Bobby? Its Robyn. My dad said you called at the house, you wanted to speak to me?”
“Hey, I'm so glad you called. I did. Will you meet me? For a chat, I want to talk to you.”
I thought this might be coming. “Sure, what about Costa in the village?” It's public and always busy, and I can make a swift exit if I need to. Mum and dad will watch Eli - I’ll only be an hour tops.
