Page 60 of Needing Daddy

* * *

Problems began whenhe tried to encourage her to return to being an adult for the day.

“I can’t talk business with you as a child, Penny, you have to snap out of being a little right now!” he demanded, becoming frustrated with her refusal to adult.

“You is a mean old bear!” she yelled and ran out of the kitchen. He heard her feet pound up the stairs.

Scratching his chin ruefully, David reflected on the fact this was the downside of being a daddy. There was nothing for it; Penny would have to come to the meeting as a little.

“Daddy has to meet a business friend for lunch. You are coming with me,” he explained.

“Please, can Mopsy come too?” she asked sweetly.

“Yes, of course. Come with me, you need to potty and wash your face and hands.”

“I use the bathroom, I don’t potty!” she complained.

“Right, you are too grown up for that,” he soothed.

Finally they were ready. He led her from the house.

* * *

Jack drove home. Turningonto his road, he saw Allie’s car pulling away from their house. Damn. He immediately suspected she going off to meet that David. “Only one way to find out,” he muttered.

Keeping well back, he followed at a distance. What the hell was his wife up to?

* * *

Penny relaxed and preparedto enjoy another day as a little in her daddy’s company. She was being a good girl today, on her best behaviour. Entering the restaurant, she smiled around at everyone and kept a tight hold of Daddy’s hand. He ordered her a Coke and as she sipped it quietly through her stripy straw, watching David from under her lashes, she reflected on how lucky she was to have tracked him down and won him over. She swung her legs happily.

Her peripheral vision caught sight of someone very familiar. Turning to look, she saw Allie walking toward them. Her hand jerked in surprise, and brown sticky fluid jettisoned as she dropped her glass. Coke dribbled over the table edge and onto the pretty pink flamingo culottes of her playsuit. The sudden appearance of her sister, coupled with the cold drink dousing her, shocked Penny back into adult reality.

Whatever was Allie doing here? She’d sent her a text cancelling lunch. Then it dawned on her. David must have somehow rearranged their meeting.

Two waiters rushed to her aid, wiping up her spilled beverage.

David suggested she go and use the facilities to clean up. Allie arrived in the restroom a few moments later.

Penny stood in her bra and panties rinsing out her playsuit.

“What is going on?” her sister demanded.

“I’ll tell you what is going on, you ignored my wishes! I cancelled our lunch,” she snapped.

“It was you who sent that text then, and not David, but why?” Allie asked.

“David hates deceit. I’ve chalked up enough of that for him to walk away from me, and I can’t have that. Your role as Karen would just be one more nail in the coffin. I need you to leave, Allie.” She yanked her clothing out of the basin and held it under the automatic hand drier.

“I get where you’re coming from, I do, but I just want five minutes to check him out. Okay?”

“No, this is my husband and Iknowhim.”

“That’s where you’re wrong. This man is not the man you married, Penny. He’s another version of that David. For all you know he could be some kind of serial killer!”

“Shut up. I know David, don’t you see? I’ve just spent weeks checking him out, getting to know him. He’s finally agreed to be my daddy and you’re going to ruin everything I’ve worked for. I want you to go.”

“Calm down. I’m here because I love you,” Allie placated.

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