Page 52 of Not So Very Sensible

“It’s not surprising,” Dad said. “He’s a slippery fox, that one.”

She glanced back at the TV from where she’d been checking her phone for the umpteenth time in case Ethan had replied again. “Why do you say that?”

Her dad snorted. “He’s been known to have a finger in the pie of a dozen developer companies over the years. You can’t trust a thing that man says.”

“That sounds a little harsh, Dad.”

“Is it harsh when it’s the truth? Ellie, open your eyes. He’s been involved in a number of investigations in the parliament.”

“Then why is he the opposition leader?”

“Because apparently people think he gets things done. I’m guessing he’s the best of a bad load of candidates.”

“Hmm.” She didn’t really care about dodgy politicians. They weren’t part of her life. But Katie was. She peeked at her father. “Speaking of candidates, you know that man Katie was talking about before?”

“Jason someone?”

“Yeah. Look, I don’t want to sound like a gossip, but there’s something about him that just felt a little off.”

Her father shifted in his chair and looked at her. “What do you mean?” Gone was the man who mildly complained about politics, replaced by an ex-cop who was concerned about his daughter’s welfare. “What’s happened?”

“Nothing’s happened. It’s just that he seemed older, and we all know that Katie can be a little naïve at times—”

“Oh, Ellie,” Mum said, coming into the room. “Are you bad-mouthing your sister again? I don’t like it. I really don’t.”

“Mum, I’m not bad-mouthing. Just expressing my opinion. And in my opinion, I don’t trust the man.”

Mum sniffed. “Well, it’s not your opinion that matters, is it? It’s what Katie thinks.”

“Yes, but we all know she can be prone to flinging herself headlong into any kind of romantic endeavour. It doesn’t mean it will work out.”

“Who’s to say any kind of romantic endeavour will work out? You saw what happened with EJ—Emma-Jane, I mean, and that awful billionaire’s son.”

“Exactly. We don’t want Katie to experience anything like that.”

“But that’s for her to learn. She will never learn if you insist on protecting her from every experience.”

Offence flared. She tamped it down. Mum cared, she knew that. “I know I might look overprotective, and I don’t want to protect her from every experience. Just the bad ones.” Oh, she was thankful to have a chance to talk about this with her parents. If Katie were here, she’d kick up a stink and there’d be no talking sense to her. “And I don’t think we need to mention this to her either. You know how she gets. If she thinks we’re suspicious of Jason, she’ll get her back up and she’ll dig her heels in.”

Her father grimaced, even as Mum murmured, “But I’m not suspicious of Jason.”

Yep. Said it all, really.

“Look, Ellie, I know you care about your sister,” her father said. “But I think your mother is right. Katie is a grown woman, and she’s entitled to make her own choices about who she dates.”

“So you two don’t mind if she goes out with an older man?”

“An older man might be good for her. Might help her settle down.”

“Even if he’s an older man who wants to take advantage of her?”

Dad’s eyes widened at this. “You know for a fact?”

“I know it from a feeling.”

His face twisted. “In my experience, feelings don’t tend to fly as much as cold hard evidence.” He shifted higher in his seat. “Look, if you’re that worried about her, then pray for her.”

“Who are we praying for?” Katie asked, entering the room.