Page 106 of Escape to the Country

She took a deep breath. ‘No, Dad. I’m not. Funnily enough, that was a real kiss. Just one moment which somebody took advantage of. I’m not using him for publicity. You know why? Because I’ve never wanted to be famous like you. I don’t know what type of person you think I am, but never think for even one second that I’m anything like you.’

The silence stretched out as she continued to glare at him. Then the fight went out of her as quickly as it had arrived.

‘Tom and I are friends. Just friends,’ she told him, with a heavy sigh. ‘That’s all. So just leave, Dad. Please. Just go away...’

She stared at him for a long time until he finally turned away.

‘And don’t you dare go near the Harris family either,’ she called after him. ‘Get in your mid-life-crisis sports car and get away from here, okay? You don’t belong here anymore.’

Eleanor waited until he was out of earshot and out of view. And then she turned and ran through the woods, finally letting the tears stream down her face.

*

Tom had overheard the argument between Eleanor and her father. He hadn’t wanted to eavesdrop but she was shouting so loudly that it was hard for him not to hear her what she was saying.

Once the woods fell silent, he waited and wondered what to do. He had seen her rush by towards the river and through a gap in the trees he could see her sitting on a rock, her knees hugged to her chest.

He wanted to leave her alone, to let her grieve for her relationship with her father, but Dylan had other ideas. He had spotted Eleanor and bounced up to see her.

Tom watched as she gave a start and then smiled before glancing around. He noted the cheeks shiny with tears and that her smile faded when she saw him.

‘Sorry,’ he told her. ‘The idea wasn’t to intrude, but Dylan was too happy to see you.’

‘Glad someone is,’ she muttered, keeping her head down while she stroked Dylan’s face.

Tom went and sat next to her on the rock while Dylan headed into the shallow clear water for a paddle and a nose around.

It was a beautiful setting which he would have enjoyed if only he could take Eleanor’s sadness away.

‘Did you clear the air with your dad?’ he asked.

She sighed. ‘Well, I threw him out, so I guess so.’ She stared at the water glistening under the sun. ‘I can’t believe he thought I was like him. That I could ever be like him.’

‘You’re not, you know.’

‘Thanks.’

He wondered whether he could trust her and knew deep down that he could. ‘If it makes you feel better, my own dad is spectacularly rubbish as well.’

She brushed away a tear. ‘Is he?’

‘He never wanted me. And my mum was too busy partying as well to bother with a child. So I was given away at the age of four and went through various foster homes growing up.’

She looked horrified. ‘That’s terrible. I’m so sorry.’

He looked out to where Dylan was grappling with a stick he had found in the water. ‘My gran was the only one in the family who cared. The only normal one.’

‘At least you had somebody,’ she said, sounding pleased. ‘Does she live near here?’

The pain of grief struck him hard again. But he had to get the words out. ‘She died last November.’

To his surprise, Eleanor put her arm around him. ‘I’m so sorry,’ she told him, hesitating before leaning her head on his shoulder in support.

‘You know, I’m the one who was supposed to be giving you support,’ he said, gently.

She turned her head and smiled up at him. ‘It could be a joint thing, I suppose.’

He stared into her green eyes, her face so close to his. ‘Yeah. It could.’