Page 53 of C is for Comfort

I want to disappear into a hole. Maybe I won’t apologise to Blake after all.

“Of course you can, sweetheart,” Sadie says. “Have you got a bag ready?”

Lexi nods.

“Wonderful, let’s go.” She holds her hand out to Lexi, who reluctantly takes it. “We’ll bring her back by lunchtime tomorrow, Corey.”

“Thanks.”

As Sadie leads Lexi past me, I duck down to steal a hug from my daughter. “Have fun, pudding.”

“Bye, Daddy,” she says in a sullen tone.

I watch from the door until the car pulls out of the street, my heart heavy.

“Did I do the right thing?” I ask Archie as he jogs down the stairs.

“I don’t know.”

At least he’s honest.

“Lexi never seems to want to go with them, but she’s always cheerful enough when she comes home,” Archie says.

“Probably because they’ve bought her something new and expensive.”

He laughs. “Well, yes. Apparently, children can be bribed. So can brothers,” he adds with a wink.

“I don’t need to bribe you to do anything.”

“I’m sure a day will come when you do need to.”

I shake my head. “When are you going out?”

“Around five. We’re going out to dinner.”

“Sounds nice.”

“It will be.”

“Is Blake out tonight?”

Archie shrugs. “No clue, but probably. He seems pretty happy spending time with Calvin and Gabe.” He raises his eyebrows. “I’m not sure Mum and Dad will be impressed, though.”

“Do you think they’ll be impressed by you dating a guy almost twice your age?”

“Touché.” He stares at the floor for a moment. “No, probably not.” He taps my chest with the back of his hand. “They’ll be cool with you dating a doctor, though.”

“We’re not dating.”

“Did you call him?”

“I texted. He’s probably still asleep. He was on the night shift last night.”

“For a guy you’re not dating, you know a lot about his schedule,” Archie teases.

I play-slap him over the arm.

“I’m just calling it as I see it,” Archie says innocently. “Do you want to get your arse kicked on the PlayStation?”