“How does that feel? Better?” The healer asks, snapping me back to reality.
I open my eyes. “Yes, I feel lighter.” Has it worked? It’s like the weight of the world has lifted from my shoulders. I’ve made up my mind. I choose myself.
* * *
CAL
“Daddy,”Bethy shouts after opening the door, and jumps up, wrapping her arms around me.
I carry her through the hallway into the kitchen, where Priya is cooking one of her amazing Indian dishes. “Something smells good.”
“Hi Cal.” She turns and smiles while stirring the food on the hob.
“Hey. What’s all this for?”
“Steve's coming round,” Bethy says.
“Is he, now?” I smirk. “Is he bringing his entire family, too?” I look at the variety of food Priya has prepared. She always went to town with her meals.
“It’s just Steve. I’ve made enough for me and the girls tomorrow. I’ll save you some if you like.”
“Maybe I should hang around and finally meet this Steve. What time is he coming?”
“He’ll be here around six, and no, you’re not.” She swats my arm, shooing me away. “Liv, are you ready to go? Your dad’s here,” she shouts into the living room.
“If he's gonna be spending more time with my girls and moving to Australia, I need to meet him and vet him for myself.”
“Cal, please, I actually like him. You’re just going to intimidate him.”
“Intimidate him?” I laugh. “Is he a man or a mouse?”
Bethy laughs. “Daddy, you and Steve could be friends. Why don't you invite him to your house?”
I smile and raise an eyebrow. “Maybe I will.”
Priya swats my arm. “Clear off and let me finish preparing dinner. I need to change before he comes.”
“Go and change. I'll keep an eye on the curry. It’s just simmering, right?” I drop Bethy down on the floor and turn to the hob.
“Thanks Cal. You’re not going to poison him, are you?” She titters.
“Don't give me ideas.”
She trots off upstairs while I stir her keema, sneaking a spoonful of the hot minced lamb. Fucking delicious.
Liv comes into the kitchen. “Hi Dad.”
“Hey lollipop. How's school?”
She shrugs “Okay. Where's Mum?”
“Getting changed. Steve's coming round.”
She rolls her eyes. “Great.”
“I thought you liked him?”
“He's annoying and so embarrassing. It’s bad enough having your mum work at school, but now everyone knows she’s dating the ICT teacher. It’s not cool. He does talks about being safe on the internet and stuff. He's lame.”