Page 37 of Shattered Union

Callie

“Hey, Dad.” I smile as I watch him walk toward me.

I’m in London, yet again. I’m getting the finishing touches ready for the grand opening. All I’m waiting on is the licence to serve alcohol to be approved. My staff are being trained in the other two pubs I have here in London.

“Hey, Callie girl, how’s tricks?” He grins at me. The corners of his mouth crinkled with the movement.

He’s dressed as he always is, in a tailored suit. It’s a very rare occasion to see him in anything but a suit.

“Grand,” I tell him with a sigh. “Tired, but it’s always the way. We’re close to the launch and then once that’s done, I can relax.”

His laughter is rich and loud. “You and I both know it’s not true. Time to relax? Yeah, right.”

I grin at him. He’s right. Since the moment I started my business, things have been hectic. It’s been a long time since I had a break. “A villa in Spain sounds like heaven right now.”

He shakes his head, not once losing his grin. “Let me know when you get a chance to do that. I’ll want to know how you managed it and maybe you can give me a few pointers. I think your ma’s going to kill me if she doesn’t get her cruise soon.”

I giggle. Mam’s been on at dad to take her on a cruise for years and he’s promised her he’d bring her this year. But he’s been busy and as much as mam understands, she’s upset he’s not taking the time off to take her.

“Dad, Ethan is ready to take point. He’s been with you every step of the way,” I say. My cousin Ethan is almost twenty years older than I am. My granny and Grandad had Dad late in life, he was their oops baby. There’s only two years that separate dad and Ethan. “It’s time to let him take the lead. We both know when it’s time for you to retire, Ethan’s the one who’s going to run the hotels. Not me or Mav.”

He sighs, running his hand through his hair. “I know, it’s just hard. Besides, you’re one to talk. What about you, hmm? You need to get a manager who will take care of the day to day running of all the pubs. Ava wouldn’t be good at that, she loves working the nights.”

“It’s on my to do list,” I say as I look down at my phone at the ever-growing list. “Not that I’m not happy you’re here, you know I love you, but what are you doing here, Dad?”

His eyes soften, the ones that are identical to mine. “We’ve been worried about you, Callie girl, you’ve not been yourself in a couple of weeks and we’ve let enough time pass. What’s going on?” The worry in his voice has my heart constricting.

I sigh. “I didn’t mean to pull away from you all. I just needed space. I had to get my head together.” Good job it did, I’m more confused than ever before. I miss Denis and I hate that we’re apart, but I know deep in my heart that I did the right thing. I don’t want to be the other woman.

“Let me take you to lunch and then you can tell me all about it.” He gives me a sad smile, his eyes big, and he pouts. God, he’s pathetic at trying to make me feel sorry for him.

“Dad, give it up, it’s not going to work, but yes, I’ll have lunch with you.”

He grins. “You got much left to do?”

I glance around the upmarket pub and shake my head. “No, it’s just small bits. I’m waiting for the alcohol licence.”

He grimaces. “Yeah, but have faith, Callie girl. It’ll all work out.” He gives me a reassuring smile. “Grab your shit and we’ll go. I’m famished.”

I roll my eyes. “Dad, you’re always hungry. I swear to God, you and Mav are non-stop eating.”

Dad merely shrugs. “I work hard, I need the fuel.”

"What's Mav's excuse?" I love my brother, but damn, he's a lazy fucker. He only works when the mood strikes him, which is why I'm shocked he's still working for Uncle Jer.

Dad spears me with a glance. "Callie," he says, his voice filled with warmth and humour. "Your brother has his way of letting loose and he does it with countless women. Much to your ma's disapproval. He needs to refuel too."

I shudder at his words as I reach for my bag. "Ara, Dad, did you have to go there? Really?"

He wraps his arm around my shoulders and pulls me into him. "Your ma told me you had a fella."

I tense at his words. I know I'm going to have to tell him what's happened. But admitting you fell for a married man isn't going to go down well.

"That not true anymore?" he inquires softly and I shake my head. Understanding fills his eyes. "I'm sorry, Callie girl."

I used to hate that bloody nickname. It was something which used to annoy me to no end. Not only would Dad call me it, Mam does too. As does Mav, Stephen, Freddie, and Uncle Jer. It was only when I got to the age of fifteen, I realised it didn't bother me as much as it did. Now, I love it. It's something special for me and for them.

"I was an idiot, Dad. I let my heart lead my head," I whisper, hating the pain in my voice that is clear for him to hear.

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