Page 63 of Dr. Off Limits

“Yes, and I know it’s not ideal. We met each other before she started. It’s a long story but for the first time ever, I’ve met someone who’s worth the risk—of Dad’s rants.”

“Sounds like I need to get to know her. After Nathan’s whirlwind romance, I need to take more notice of the women my boys bring home.”

She was a woman to take notice of. A woman I couldn’t stay away from, no matter how hard I tried.

“You’ll like her, Mum.” I could never be sure of my father, but I knew my mum would like Sutton. There was no doubt about it. Sutton had a good, pure heart, worked hard and never took anything for granted. My mum would love her.

She reached up and patted my cheek. “Of course I will.”

Sutton came back in from the car, carrying a tin. “It’s probably not nearly as nice as anything you could make.” She handed it to my mother. “I should have just bought something but I had some free time last night and I fancied baking.”

Mum took off the lid. “Cake!” she said, her eyes lighting up.

“It’s lemon,” Sutton said.

“My favorite,” Mum said, which was a lie. Her favorite was coffee cake. “That’s so kind of you to bring this. Jacob, why don’t you put it all on a plate and we’ll have a slice with our wine. John will be delighted. He loves a slice of cake.”

“What are you saying about me?” My father burst in, his shirt hanging out of his trousers and his hair standing on end.

“Dad, you look like you’ve been caught shagging the scullery maid. Where have you been,” I said.

“Scullery maid indeed,” he said. “I’ve been gardening.”

“This is Sutton,” I said.

Sutton spun around and offered up her hand. Dad dumped a trug on the kitchen counter and took Sutton’s hand in both of his. “Welcome, welcome. How my boys attract such pretty girls, I have no idea.” He dropped Sutton’s hand and moved to the sink, shaking his head.

“Sutton’s a woman, darling,” my mum said. “You can’t call women girls.”

Dad grizzled as he washed his hands and I guided Sutton to the table. “Have a seat.”

“Can’t anyone wash their hands in the downstairs loo like normal people?” Mum said. Now I’ve got mud on the carrots.”

“They’re used to it, my dear. It won’t frighten them off.” She flipped him with the tea towel and then he flicked her with water. Mum started laugh-shrieking and I grabbed some plates and moved out of the way.

“Excuse them,” I said, nodding at my parents, messing about like teenagers. The way I saw them now, both retired and empty nesters, was totally different to my experience growing up. The eldest of five boys, I may have been the only one aware of how difficult things were at the time. How Dad was never home and Mum fell asleep whenever she sat down. Being with them now was much more enjoyable than being with them as a kid.

“It’s wonderful. They’re... warm and just lovely.”

“They’ll do as parents. Do you want to do the honors, seeing as you baked?” I handed her a knife. “You really didn’t need to. Although it’s a sure way of getting my parents on your side.”

She shook her head, her gaze sliding to my parents’ antics. “You do it.”

“John, stop it,” Mum said. “Look, Sutton made a cake. Do you want a slice?”

“Cake?” my father bellowed. “Never say no to cake. Anyone fancy a glass of wine?”

“Way ahead of you, Dad. We’ve cracked open some of your Argentinian malbec, that’s okay, isn’t it?”

The steam started to shoot out of his ears before he spun round and caught sight of the three glasses of white wine next to the cake. There was never any doubt when my father was pissed off. He wasn’t a man who masked his emotions—disappointment, anger, frustration. I’d been painfully aware of everything he felt toward me growing up.

“Very funny. That malbec’s not to be joked about. I bought it in Argentina, don’t you know.”

“We know,” Mum and I chorused. I grabbed Dad a glass and poured the last of the bottle.

“We don’t need the story again,” Mum said. “Right, I’m sitting down. I’m having a glass of wine and a slice of cake and I don’t care if the dinner is burnt by the end of it; Zach can go out for fish and chips.”

“Zach’s coming?” I asked.

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