‘That was a couple of months ago and I suppose you could say we’re dating now. I’ve wanted to tell you but I didn’t know how you’d react.’
‘I’m happy for you, Dad!’
He looks down at his hands.
‘No one will ever replace your mum, you know.’
I feel tears threaten behind my own eyes and blink them back.
‘I know that, Daddy,’ I say softly. ‘You deserve to be happy and I’m honestly thrilled for you. This is the first time you’ve mentioned a partner to me since Mum died so we’ve all waited long enough,’ I laugh. ‘Tell me more about Gloria?’
‘I think you’ll get on swimmingly,’ he says shyly and my heart swells for him. ‘She loves gardening too so you’ve got that in common, and she’s a bit of a firecracker. We went salsa-dancing the other day. She’s got such a zest for life, just like your mu—’ Dad cuts himself off.
‘Dad, it’s all right,’ I reassure him. ‘Mum will always be the bloody best, that’s a stone cold fact. But it’s okay to find joy with someone else, too. I can’t wait to meet her on pie and mash night.’
‘You could bring Zach, too?’
I waver at this. I’m definitely up for Zach meeting my dad but this week? Is it a bit soon still? Dad picks up on it straight away.
‘Life’s short, Alice. You’ve made some fantastic friends for yourself over the years and now it sounds like you have a found a partner who is making you very happy, too. I’m happy for you, love.’
I’ve been thinking about what Dad said ever since and something hasn’t quite been sitting right. It was the fantastic friends comment, I think. Because the thing is, I haven’t properly spoken to Dylan since we went out on that hideous ping pong night. Other than the collage of photos of us from our youth which he messaged me on my birthday, we’ve both been unusually quiet with each other and there’s stuff that needs to be said.
I decide to bite the bullet and dial his number.
‘Pickle! It’s been a while.’
‘I know. Have you got a minute?’
‘Sure,’ he says, and I can hear him walking to a quieter spot wherever he is.
‘Just thought it was time we had a chat after …’
‘After I acted like a dick when we last hung out?’
‘Exactly.’
‘I’ve been meaning to call but …’
‘But you’re a bit useless?’
‘Ouch! Though you’re probably right. Listen, Alice, I’m sorry about all that. The beer definitely didn’t help but that’s no excuse, I think I went a bit overboard on the whole protective best friend thing.’
‘You made Zach feel bad for stuff that he and I had already had a private conversation about, and then we ended up dragging it all back up again and having a massive row. I was so upset and angry about all the drama that I ended up drunkenly breaking up with him.’
‘Fuck, Alice, I didn’t realise that. Nat told me that things hadn’t been great but …’
‘So why didn’t you call me?’
I hear him sigh down the phone. ‘I didn’t know what to say. I thought I was looking out for you. You’ve always said that you’re not into relationships and ever since Zach’s been on the scene you’ve been all … confused about your emotions.’
‘That’s because this is all new to me! What I need is for you to support me through it, not make things worse by picking fights with him and behaving like a dickhead.’
‘I thought I was supporting you by reminding you of the decisions you made after your mum died.’
‘I get that but Dylan, people change. I feel like I’ve grown recently and yes, you’re right, I have been confused but I’ve also been having the time of my life with Zach. I could really do without you trying to piss on that.’
‘Okay, well, I’m sorry. It’s good to hear that he makes you happy. Zach and I are obviously quite different …’
