Page 34 of One More Time

He flashed her a fatherly smile. ‘Hey, my love, come, sit with me.’ He patted the seat next to him on the swing chair. ‘Let’s hide out here, where it’s nice and quiet.’

Grace smiled; any time together was treasured. The hum of conversation faded behind her as she made her way down the steps and over to him, where she saddled up beside him and hooked her arm into his. They sat like this for a few minutes, swinging to and fro, saying nothing because no words were needed to fill their silence.

Then her father drew in a weighty breath, drawing Grace’s dreamy attention to him. ‘What is it, Dad?’

He regarded her with sharp eyes. ‘I can see things aren’t great between you and Charlie again, love.’ He paused, waiting, before adding, ‘Do you want to talk about it?’

‘There’s nothing to really talk about, Dad.’ Grace shrugged. ‘We just seem to be drifting apart, little by little. No matter what I do, I can’t seem to get back that feeling back he used to give me.’

‘I see.’ He nodded as if weighing this up. ‘Is he still off the drink?’

‘As far as I know.’ Her lips set in a grim line as she thought about all the lonely evenings and nights she spent now Charlie was working night shift as a prison guard. ‘He’s away so much for work, and when he’s home catching up on sleep during the day, I’m usually at the teashop, so who knows what he’s up to when I’m not around.’

‘It sounds to me like you don’t trust him.’ Her father patted her hand when he was met with silence. ‘I hope you don’t think he’s cheating, because Charlie might not be the best husband in some ways, but I know he’d never do that to you, Grace. He loves you deeply.’

‘Oh, I do trust him in that sense, but not when it comes to alcohol.’ She sighed sadly. ‘He’s lied too much in the past for me to ever truly trust him.’

‘Oh, love, I understand how you feel, but if you want your marriage to work, you have to find a way to let the past go. There is never anything to be gained by holding grudges.’

Grace realised how much she had missed talking to her dad. She’d forgotten how he always managed to put everything into perspective. ‘Yes, I know you’re right, Dad.’

A short silence fell as they watched two sunbirds fluttering in the bushes.

‘I haven’t been a saint in yours and my mother’s marriage,’ he said, his gaze now directed back at her. ‘And trust me, I’m not proud of it.’

Her curiosity piqued, Grace straightened. ‘What do you mean?’

‘There was a time I was in a very bad place, and I did something I shouldn’t have. Your mother, being the wonderful woman she is, stood by me when I didn’t deserve it. I made sure she knew how sorry I was, and I did everything to make amends, every single day. And now, we’re more in love than ever before.’

Grace never would have believed her parents had hit hard times – they’d always appeared so happy. ‘What did you do?’

Her father cast his eyes to the ground. ‘I got very drunk at a work Christmas party about fifteen years ago, not that being inebriated is any excuse, and I stupidly kissed another woman.’

Grace couldn’t help her sharp inhalation. ‘Oh, my goodness, poor Mum. That must have broken her heart.’

‘It sure did, for quite some time.’ Leaning forward, he rested his elbows on his knees and clasped his hands tightly. ‘I don’t keep anything from your mother, so when I told her, I thought I’d lost her for good. It almost killed me.’ He dropped his head, shaking it slowly. ‘God only knows how she found a way to forgive me, but she did, and we slowly moved past the hurt.’

‘Oh Dad, I’m so glad you worked through it together.’ She rubbed his back. ‘I can’t believe she never told me about it.’

‘She was protecting me, and my honour, not that I deserved her protection, and she didn’t want to upset you.’ He sat back and rubbed his face. ‘Your mother is the most amazing, selfless woman. I’m an extremely lucky man, having her love me like she does.’

A soft smile tugged at Grace’s lips. ‘She is wonderful, isn’t she?’

‘Yes, and you’re just like her, my sweet Grace.’ He rested a hand over where hers sat atop her knee. ‘Don’t give up on Charlie and your marriage, because I know you two could live a lifetime of soul-deep love.’ He smiled ever so tenderly. ‘I know I’ve had my grievances with Charlie in the past, and only because I love you and didn’t want to see you hurting, but the way he looks at you is exactly how I look at your mother.’

‘Oh, Dad.’ Tears gathered, halting her words, and she quickly retrieved a tissue from her bra.

‘Ha, your mother hides her tissues there too.’ His laughter carried on the afternoon breeze.

‘Mummy, Grandpa, there you are!’ The pitter-patter of running feet quickly approached them. ‘What’s wrong, Mummy?’ Hope’s sparkling eyes filled with endearing concern. ‘You’re crying.’

‘Nothing’s wrong, my darling, your grandpa was just telling me a really special story, and it made me cry, that’s all.’ Grace lifted Hope from the ground and cuddled her to her.

‘Stories shouldn’t make you cry.’ Hope frowned and shook her head. ‘I don’t want to know any that make me cry, Grandpa, no way, Jose.’

Her sweet innocence made Grace and her father chuckle.

‘Come on then, little one, let’s get you back to your party, shall we?’ She stood, and placed Hope back to the ground. ‘Are you coming, Dad?’ She held out her hand, gesturing to help him out of the swing chair.