“Louisa is moving in with us,” Hudson says, looking atme.
“Iam?”
“Yes,” Bryce adds. “Youare.”
“What about Nish?” Iask.
“We’ll sort something out for Nish, okay?” Maxsays.
“Never mind Nish, is this somethingyouwant, Louisa?” Richard asks. He’s not a stupid man, he knows there is something unusual about the four of us. “Which one of you will take responsibility forLouisa?”
“I do,” they all say in unison. I would laugh if the moment wasn’t sotense.
Richard sits back in his chair, regarding us all. “Louisa is like a daughter to me. For a while, when her mum was better, we were a family. I loved Lorna, I love Louisa and Iwill notsee her hurt. She has been through too much in herlife…”
“Richard,” I start, but find the words won’tcome.
He leans across the table and takes my hand, squeezing it gently. “You may not be mine by blood, but you are my daughter, Louisa. I will always look out for you.” Richard looks at each of them in turn. “Whatever it is you think you’re doing, then consider this. You break Louisa’s heart, I break yourlegs.”
“That’s entirely fair,” Bryce saysamiably.
“Am I right in thinking you are all taking responsibility forLouisa?”
“Yes, sir,” Max answers. “I know it may seem out of the ordinary, but I swear to you this is not a game for any of us. We willalltake care ofLouisa.”
“This is what you want?” Richard asksme.
“Yes, it is. They are good men, Richard. I should know, I’ve experienced enough bad men to know the difference,” I say softly. Hudson grips my shoulder. I can feel all three men staring at me. There are secrets in my past that I’m yet to tell them about. Richard catches my eye. He knows. He understands what I amsaying.
“Then I will support you. Your happiness is all I care about.” A smile breaks out over his face. “Well, now I’ve done the protective father bit, why don’t we get to know each other a little better?” And with that, the atmosphere relaxes. We talk, laugh and eat, enjoying each other’s company. As they chat, I take a moment to look out of the window. Across the street I notice a man leaning against a post box. He sees me staring and gives me a little wave. It’sSmithy.
“Louisa, you want a pudding?” Richard asks. I glance at him and shake my head. When I look back out of the window, Smithy is nowhere to be seen. Perhaps he was never there to begin with, at least that’s what I tellmyself.