“Rhys.” I got up and walked through to the waiting room. Rhys was sitting at his desk glaring across the room. I followed his gaze and my blood boiled. My father was sitting in one of the chairs looking uncomfortable and angry.
“Mr Dandforth,” Rhys nodded towards my father, “got here early and would like to let you know it's not good to be kept waiting and that you have rude staff.” Rhys shrugged, shooting another glare towards my father. An angry Rhys was much likean annoyed beagle puppy. Lots of noise but rather cute, but my father wouldn't see the humour where I had trouble holding back a laugh.
“All I asked was to see some ID and NHS number so I could fill out the records for a new patient, and he told me to mind my own business,” Rhys said. Rhys bristled under my father’s gaze.
The man had that effect on most people, and I didn't want to subject him to any more of my father’s toxic presence. I shook my head at my father of course the man had used a fake name to come see me, heaven forbid anyone would know he had set foot in my clinic.
“Don't worry about it, Rhys. Anyone after his appointment?”
“No. Mrs Wilmington cancelled and asked for an appointment on Friday when she's coming into town next.”
“Makes sense. I'll give her a call to check in with her later.” I didn't take my eyes of my father, trying to work out why he was showing up here when I knew that anything medical related, they travelled to their own doctor three towns away.
“Rhys, why don't you take your lunch early, go spend some time with Simon. Lock the door when you leave. Perry knows to go around the back.”
“Are you sure?” Rhys side-eyed my father. “Is this guy here for trouble?”
I shot my father a cold look and sighed. “Probably, but I can handle him. Go on, have your lunch, be back by two.” I waited until Rhys had closed the surgery door before turning back to my father.
“What are you doing here?”
My father ignored my comment and barged past me straight into my office. It struck me that in the years I'd been back in Tewsbury practicing, they had never set foot in my home or surgery.
I walked behind him unconsciously, straightening my shoulders. The man always made me feel like I was standing in front of a regiment commander, not a parent. I walked around my desk and sat down in my chair. I refused to let my father bait me with his silence. He would either talk or walk out and quite frankly, I knew which option I would prefer.
I looked at the snow globe of the Tewsbury lighthouse, a gift from Rhys in my Christmas stocking. I picked it up and tipped it while watching the snow dance around the lighthouse.
“You live here I take it?” My father's voice was like a whip, harsh and loud. I never heard him speak kindly or with an ounce of affection in his tone even towards my mother.
“I do.” I leant back in my chair, crossing my arms and hoping he read my body language and just fucked off.
“You are aware that we are having dinner for our anniversary next week.”
“Anne mentioned something about it.” Anne had indeed brought up the event and how we were both trying to find ways to avoid going, but my father being here did not bode well for our planned avoidance.
“You both need to be there. You can bring someone. I'd prefer you brought Elizabeth but last I heard, she has got herself entangled with some Portuguese tennis player.”
They were actually Italian, and it was the tennis player and his wife and good luck to her. Elizabeth had mellowed since the divorce, and I was happy for her.
“Good for her. She needed a bit more fun in her life.”
“Cullen, how can you say such a thing? The shame her poor mother must be feeling right now.”
“I'm sure once she pulls herself out of her gin coma and remembers she has a daughter, she might feel something.” I shrugged, ignoring my father’s outraged scowl.
“You've been nothing but a disgrace to this family with your perversions. They are already affecting poor Benji. If your mother and I were younger, we would raise him ourselves. Your sister obviously has no idea what she is doing.”
I stood, slamming my hands down on the table. The rage that had started to build at the sight of my father had now reached its boiling point. “You will do no such thing. Anne is an amazing mother and a parent to be proud of. Nothing like the vile, hateful parents you and mother were. If you are so embarrassed by us, why do you want us at the damn thing?”
“For the sake of appearances. It wouldn't be right if our two children didn't attend. There will be some very important people attending, and they put a lot of stock in family. If you do this, then you and Anne are free of any family obligations for the foreseeable future.”
“Fine. I'll ask my boyfriend to accompany me.” I wouldn't actually expect Perry to come. I couldn't inflict my parents on him, but it was nice to see my father squirm.
“If you must. I'll get Sophia to send out an invitation. Try to dress nicely.”
I rolled my eyes. “I shall await its arrival with bated breath. Don't worry, Father, I'll leave the arse-less chaps at home and wear something appropriate.”
“Well, it seems we've nothing else to discuss. Goodbye, Cullen.” My father turned on his heel and left, striding out of my office like he'd won some great battle. Why the hell had I agreed to go? I suppose supporting Anne because I knew my parents would bully her into it.
