Daisy eyed her oblivious daughter, whose eyes were glued to the TV.
“That child,” Daisy mumbled. “Well, since you’re here, can I offer you any coffee or tea?”
“I’m good. Though I wouldn’t mind picking up food from that Thai place down the street in a bit.”
“It’s so good. Isn’t it, Mom?”
“It is good,” Daisy answered cautiously, “but it’s also very crowded on Saturday afternoons.”
“So? Nin always gives us a table.”
“That’s true but…” Daisy pursed her lips and looked at Jameson.
“What your mum is trying to say is that people will recognize me and it will be very distracting.”
“So? That’s so cool! Will there be paparazzi like in the movies?”
Jameson grimaced. “Sadly, yes, and sadly, it isn’t as cool as the movies make it seem. It can be annoying and intrusive. And since we are just starting to get to know each other, I think your mum and I don’t want loads of people knowing about you yet.”
Amelia’s eyes turned downcast. “But why? Are you… ashamed?”
Jameson was next to her in a flash. “Of course not. I will never be ashamed of you. I’m just very protective of you”—then he turned his gaze to Daisy—“and your mum and I don’t want anybody to start harassing you or interfering with your privacy simply because you are my child.”
Amelia contemplated his words for a moment, then said, “I guess that makes sense.”
“Thank you for understanding.”
“Sure. I won’t even tell my friends at school, but…” Amelia paused.
“But what?” Daisy asked.
“But what about Auntie Anna? She told me I have to tell her everything or she won’t be my aunt anymore.”
Daisy scoffed. Sometimes Anna could be the worst. “She doesn’t actually mean that!”
“Well, I don’t want to chance it, so can I tell her? Please?”
Daisy rose from the couch into a sitting position. “She kind of already knows, sweetie.”
“Like the whole time?”
“Uhh, yes.”
Amelia was quiet and Daisy winced at the thought of how she would respond—yet another person who knew before her.
“Okay, that one is off the list. What about Jessica?”
Daisy brushed a feigned sweat off her forehead at her daughter’s blasé response.
“Did she refuse to be your friend if you didn’t tell her everything?”
“No, but I like her and she would think it’s cool. I just need to tell someone!”
“Fine, you can tell Jess, but I need to be there.”
“Yay! I can’t wait to see her reaction. She is totally going to freak out!”
They all chuckled. “That she most certainly will.”
