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‘Actually, that wasn’t what I was going to say at all.’

‘It wasn’t?’ Daisy frowned.

‘No, I was going to say that she just has to feel like she’s winning. That’s it. She has to have the last word with everything. And as much as I love to see you standing up to her – and believe me, I do love to see you standing up to her – the last thing I want is for her to decide she’s going to use that against you. You know, start being unpleasant.’

‘Startbeing unpleasant?’ Daisy said. ‘Did you listen to anything she said?’

‘I know, I get it.’ Theo took her hands and squeezed them tightly. ‘It’s probably not going to make you feel any better, but she’s exactly the same with my sister. Always trying to get under her skin. You have every right to answer back and give her everything she deserves, but it’s just you I’m worried about. I’m worried about how difficult she can make things for us.’

‘We’re only staying here for one night,’ Daisy said, although she knew deep down that wasn’t what Theo was on about. They were getting married. That meant that whether she liked it or not, Penelope was in her life for good now.

‘Please, just this once, can you try to take the higher ground with her?’ As he spoke, Theo pushed out his bottom lip and offered Daisy his best puppy-dog eyes that were so good, even Johnny would have a hard time topping them. ‘I’ll promise I’ll make it up to you when we go to the hotel,’ he added.

‘Really? And how do you plan on doing that?’

Leaning forward, Theo whispered into Daisy’s ear, causing her to let out an uncontrollable burst of laughter.

‘Fine then, you’re on. But I’m holding you to that.’

‘Good,’ Theo said with a grin that was wide enough to make Daisy’s heart flutter. ‘I want you to.’

19

Unlike her personality, everything about Penelope’s guest room was fluffy. The throw cushions were fluffy, the towels were fluffy and there was even a fluffy teddy bear sat in the middle of the cushions, while the carpet was the densest Daisy had ever stood on. It was undeniably sumptuous and the opulence didn’t stop in the bedroom. The en suite shower was filled with the most luxurious brands of soap, shower gel and bodywash, and Penelope had even gone as far as to lay out little guest toothbrushes, like the types given out at hotels. It was hard to believe that someone who had gone to all that effort would be so vile to her guests, but then, Daisy considered, maybe she had read her wrong. Maybe Penelope had really thought her name was Maisy, and that she was a waitress. If Theo didn’t speak to her that often, then it stood to reason that she would make a couple of mistakes.

‘Was your mum like this to Heather?’ Daisy asked as she took a clean dress out of her luggage and hung it on a coat hanger. ‘Did she act strangely to her?’

Theo barely pondered the question. Instead, he simply scrunched up his nose before he spoke.

‘It was different with Heather. You know, with us growing up together and everything,’ he said.

‘What do you mean?’ Daisy asked. ‘I didn’t realise you two grew up together. Did you go to the same school? Is that what you mean?’

‘Well, we did, but it was more than that. Heather’s mum has been best friends with my parents for years. They’ve known each other their entire lives. I think Heather and I even went to the same baby groups together.’

Daisy dropped down onto the bed, feeling a sudden weight flooding through her.

‘How did I not know that?’ she said. ‘I knew you’d been together for a long time, but surely that’s something I should have known?’

A deep furrow formed between Theo’s brows. ‘I don’t know. I guess I didn’t think it was much of a big deal. We didn’t get together until after we’d both left home. We were only ever friends until then. But I suppose that’s why I had such a hard time finishing things. We both did, because we knew how difficult it was going to be on our families as well.’

Daisy stared off into the distance as she tried to make sense of what she’d just heard. Did it really matter that Theo and Heather had known each other that long? Or that his parents probably thought about her as a daughter? It shouldn’t, and on one hand it didn’t. Heather was Theo’s past and she was his future, but it was the fact she hadn’t known any of this that left her feeling uneasy. To start with, she’d have been far more understanding of Penelope’s reaction. Part of her wanted to be cross with Theo for not filling her in on the full picture, but then again, did Theo know everything about her and Paul? Probably not.

‘So, I guess if your parents are still friends, then she’s always going to be in your life, in a way,’ Daisy said, imagining awedding with Penelope sat on one side of the top table, and Heather on the other, speaking across Daisy as if she were invisible. Panic tightened her chest.

As if sensing the feeling, Theo reached around and took her arm.

‘It’s nothing to worry about, honestly. You don’t need to worry about Heather, and you don’t need to worry about my mum. It’s you and me, always, Daisy May, okay?’

She nodded, although the knot in her stomach remained.

‘Come on,’ Theo said. ‘Let’s go down and get a cup of tea. I’m parched.’

20

Downstairs, a pot of tea was waiting on the kitchen island, along with a tin of flapjacks and a packet of shortbread rounds.

‘Not homemade,’ Penelope said with that same tight-lipped smile. ‘But they are from the farmers’ market and they do make everything fresh, with organic ingredients. I can’t remember… is your little café organic, Daisy?’