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“Aren’t you going to come in?” I frown.
Nick rocks back on his heels and looks away from me. “Is that a formal invitation?” he asks softly.
“Of course!” I find his sudden reticence a little strange but put it down to last-minute nerves about meeting my father.
Smiling sweetly, Nick trails after me and waits patiently in the hall as I go to the sitting room. “Hi, sorry to disturb you. There’s someone I’d like you to meet.”
Dad glances up from his laptop with an expectant expression. “You’ve got a visitor?”
“Uh-huh.”
Placing his laptop in the charger, he slicks back his hair, tucks his shirt into his trousers and follows me to the hall.
“Dad, this is Nick Craven.”
“Pleased to meet you,” Nick grins. “Carly’s told me so much about you.”
“All good, I hope?” my father laughs. The two of them exchange a cordial handshake. Dad’s a little guarded at first; I can see his eyes studying Nick, adding him up point by point, trying to work him out.
A throbbing silence descends, and Dad stares a little too hard at Nick’s scar.
Finally, Nick clears his throat. “I can’t tell you how great it is to meet you, Steve. I’m a huge fan of your work. In my opinion,Path toEnlightenmentis one of the best books ever written on Transcendental Meditation. In fact, it’s so good, I regularly recommend it to my patients who are seeking a safe alternative to Happy Pills.”
My jaw literally drops.
Not only is Nick calling Dad by his first name, but he also seems to have thoroughly done his homework. I had no idea he even knew who my father was.
Dad raises his eyebrows in surprise. “Your patients?”
“I’m ahypnotherapist,” Nick explains. “My offices are at Harley Street.”
“I’ll take that as a massive compliment, then.” Dad smiles bashfully and suddenly, his whole demeanour changes. Clearly he’s flattered and, having appealed to his vanity, Nick has gotten my father right in the palm of his hand.
“I’ve got a massive favour to ask,” Nick continues. “I’ve got a copy of your book in my car. I’d love it if you could sign it for me.”
Dad looks at me. “I’d be glad to,” he grins.
I laugh nervously.Wow, yet another surprise.But is he laying it on a bit thick, perhaps?
“Hold that thought.” Nick races outside and returns a few minutes later brandishing a brand new copy ofPath toEnlightenment. The three of us go into the sitting room, and Dad happily scrawls his signature across the first page. As we stand waiting for him to finish, Nick’s eyes wander around the room, drinking in every last little detail. Then he rests his gaze on me, flashes a playful smile and winks; I suppress a smirk.
Dad hands the book back to him and they speak for a while about the benefits of Transcendental Meditation. It’s at this point that I kind of switch off; once Dad gets started on this topic, there’s no stopping him.
An interminable time later, Nick glances at his watch, makes his excuses and bids us both goodnight.
“I’ll see you out,” I say, following him into the entry hall. With Dad safely out of earshot, I whisper, “You’re such a dark horse. How on Earth did you know about my father’s books?”
Nick taps his nose conspiratorially. “When I fall for a gorgeous blonde with a penchant for Mickey Mouse T-shirts, I make it my business to find out everything I can about her. That includes background checks on her father.”
I giggle and tuck a hair behind my ear. “That’s so sweet. But really, how did you know?”
“Does it matter?”
“Yes! I’m really curious.”
“I’m afraid I couldn’t possibly divulge my sources. Plus, I think it’s good to maintain an air of mystique. Keeps you on your toes.”
Playfully, I agree to drop the subject but make a mental note to revisit this another time. There’s no way he’s getting off that easily. “So, what time are we meeting tomorrow?” I ask.
