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Family life, she told herself. This was just family life. It was simply that she wasn’t used to it. What could she do? Say? She almost offered to go with Izzy, but then stopped herself. What use was she as a lifeguard? And anyway, she shouldn’t take a side.
The day would work out, one way or another.
Jack and Todd were taking Molly sailing and Flora and Clare had planned to spend another relaxed morning in the garden. The day before they’d been to the garden center and Flora was looking forward to a day of planting and fresh air. She and Jack had sneaked into the same room for the past few nights and the result was a dizzying combination of ecstasy and exhaustion.
A day in the garden was just what she needed. An easy friendship was developing between her and Clare and she’d pictured a few delicious hours of gardening, chat and maybe a short nap in the sun.
She enjoyed the calm of it, basked in the easy friendship that was developing between her and Clare, but she could already see from the spark in Izzy’s eye and the pout on Molly’s lips that calm and conversation were unlikely to be coming her way today.
Izzy looked at her father. “Do you want me to come sailing with you?”
Jack was sorting through waterproofs. “Aren’t you hanging out with Aiden today?”
“He had plans he couldn’t change. So I could easily help out.”
“That’s a kind offer, but we’ll be fine.” He stuffed Molly’s wet suit into a bag. “You have a great day doing your own thing for once. We can manage without you.”
Izzy’s face lost some color. “But I can help with the sails, and make sure Molly’s okay. She’s a little nervous around water right now—”
“She’ll be great.” He added sailing gloves and wet suit boots, zipped the bag and dropped it by the door. “We’re going to have one of our special Dad and Molly days, aren’t we, honey?” He gave Molly a quick hug and she hugged him back.
“Yay! A Dad and Molly day. Just the two of us and Chase.” She danced a little on the spot and Flora was will
ing to bet that each time those feet thumped the floor Izzy felt they’d landed on her chest.
She knew for sure Jack thought he was being generous to Izzy, but she could also see he was saying and doing the wrong thing.
“Okay. Sounds fun.” Izzy’s smile was almost painfully bright. “I’ll make the picnic for you.”
“No need.” Jack picked up a bag from the counter and waved it proudly. “I’ve got it.”
“Did you make ham sandwiches?”
“No, because Molly hates ham. You taught me that, and I paid attention. I made her cheese.”
Izzy swallowed. “How about her drink? You always forget to pack a drink.”
“Not today. I have learned from my mistakes and I have juice and water.” Jack produced it from the backpack with a flourish. There was a hint of the triumphant in his smile. “Are you impressed? I think I’ve officially passed the dad test. We no longer need you to run the household, Izzy.”
Izzy’s hand stilled on Chase’s belly. “Right. So—I’m not needed.” Something in her voice made Flora wish Jack would stop talking, but he didn’t.
“That’s right. You can go to college without worrying that we’re going to starve or be buried under a mountain of laundry.”
Was that what this was? Was he trying to prove that he could survive without Izzy?
Flora wondered if the mention of college would trigger an explosion, but Izzy said nothing.
She watched as Jack bundled the picnic into the bag along with all the sailing gear.
Flora had a bad feeling and couldn’t quite pinpoint why. There was no tantrum and no fiery words. Just a stillness and a sense of quiet misery that worried Flora more.
Was Izzy feeling left out? Was that what was happening?
She glanced at Jack but he was arguing with Molly over whether to pack apples or pears and didn’t seem concerned.
Maybe this was family dynamics. Something Flora knew little about.
Izzy stood up. “Have fun today.” She paused, but Jack was trying to persuade Molly to let him rub sunscreen on her neck and didn’t seem to hear.
