AllFreeNovel
Share Us
CHAPTER 9
“Does this T-shirt look weird?” Hugh asked, walking into the living room where Emmy was tapping away on her phone.
She only spared him a cursory glance. “It looks fine.”
He smoothed it down. “Should I tuck it in?”
“If you want.” She didn’t even look at him now.
“It feels strange wearing it untucked, but probably because I’m just not used to it. Or does it look weird?”
“It’s a T-shirt,” she said with a sigh. “Why are you going on about it?”
Ignoring the question, he began to tuck it in. He had a belt on, so tucking it in was fine. Wasn’t it?
“I thought you said it wasn’t a date?” Emmy said. “Why are you stressing so much?”
“Allie said she wasn’t looking to date anyone, but that doesn’t mean I shouldn’t make an effort.”
Emmy twisted to look at him. “Do you really like her?”
“I … um … I don’t really know her, but she seems nice.” He looked down at his T-shirt and frowned, then tugged it free from his waistband. “It’s definitely not a proper date. I think she just agreed to go for a drink with me because she doesn’t know anyone around here.” He shifted his gaze to his shoulder and pulled at the sleeve of his T-shirt, thinking it could probably be a little tighter.
“If she’s told you she doesn’t want to date anyone, this seems like a lot of effort for nothing.” She propped her arm on the end of the couch. “I still think you should message Rebecca. What if her kid genuinely was ill and you haven’t even messaged to ask if everything is okay?”
“If her kid was ill, and she actually enjoyed my company, she would have messaged me, wouldn’t she? She was the one who ran away from our date.”
Emmy made a noise that seemed to suggest he might have a point. “I wish you could find someone really nice. It all seems a bit unfair.”
“How so?”
“I just think you should go out with someone who really wants to go out with you, not someone who’s using you because she doesn’t have any friends around here.”
“At least she was honest,” he said. “And maybe once she gets to know me she’ll want to go on an actual date with me.”
“Maybe.” Emmy sighed dramatically. “Where are you taking her?”
“Just to the Anchor Inn.”
Her eyes raked over him. “You should tuck the T-shirt in.”
“Do you think so?” His eyes darted down again. “I think I’m going to put a different one on.” He moved to leave the room, but turned back in the doorway. “Are you sure you’re okay alone this evening? I could still call Scarlett and see if she’ll come over. Or Damian or Amy. I’m sure one of them would come over and hang out with you.”
“I’m fine,” she said, a slight whine to her voice.
“Right. If you’re sure.” He’d expected parenting to get easier as Emmy got older, but he was starting to think it might be the other way. Trying to figure out how much independence to let her have was a nightmare. “I’ll only be at the pub,” he said. “So you can call if there’s a problem, and I won’t be late back.”
“Dad,” she said impatiently. “Just go. I’ll be fine.”
* * *
Arriving at the pub exactly on time, Allie found Hugh waiting for her on one of the picnic tables on the patio.
“Hi,” she said, feeling slightly windswept after her walk along the cliffs. “You could have gone in already.”
He stood and took a step towards her. “I only just got here.” The uncertainty in his tone made her think he might have been waiting ages. He leaned forwards, as though he was going to kiss her cheek, then stopped at the last minute and rocked back on the balls of his feet. “Also, I wanted to offer to pick you up but I don’t have your number.”
“It’s a nice walk along the cliffs,” she said, ignoring the comment about the phone number.
