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‘Cassie and I were just talking, and we wondered whether you might want to come over for dinner tomorrow. It’s nothing special, just spaghetti bolognese.’
‘It’s my favourite!’ added Cassie, looking at Sophie expectantly.
‘Mine too,’ Sophie said, surprised into not knowing what else to say.
‘Oh, well, I hope it lives up to your expectations then.’ He pulled a worried face. ‘Would you like to join us?’
Cassie turned away to talk to Jocelyn, whose mum was huddled close by, together with several others attempting to arrange a playdate. They weren’t alone, but suddenly the conversation felt a little intense.
Sophie swallowed. She didn’t know what to say. The part that wanted to run away was still tugging at her – just say no and nothing can go wrong. You won’t get hurt, she thought. But Liam’s expectant eyes held Sophie’s gaze, and she knew she wanted to say yes, even if it was just dinner. There was nothing she wanted more at that moment than to spend more time with Liam Hawthorn.
‘That sounds lovely,’ Sophie said eventually.
‘I can pick you up at—’
Sophie interrupted him. ‘I can drive, it’s fine. Besides, how will I get home once Cassie’s in bed? You can’t leave her.’
Liam thought for a moment. ‘Good point.’
‘I’ll be careful, I promise.’
Liam seemed to consider this for a moment. ‘All right. As long as you promise.’
‘Should I bring anything?’
Liam shook his head. ‘Just yourself. I’ll cook and Cassie said something about a slumber party.’
Like a sleepover? ‘Um …’ Of course, words escaped her. Of course, she was about to make herself look foolish. At these key moments in life, Sophie always fluffed it up.
‘Nothing funny.’ He smiled. ‘Just a fort made of sofa cushions and probably far too much ice cream. That’s what ten-year-old girls love, I’m told.’
‘That actually sounds lovely,’ Sophie said, feeling herself relax.
‘So, it’s a date?’ he asked, raising his eyebrows above his beautiful eyes. His expression faltered, only momentarily, having realised he’d used the D word.
Sophie’s stomach did a somersault and landed on the floor; the butterflies inside catapulted from one side to the other. She considered her response for a second and then went for it. ‘It’s a date.’
‘It’s funny that spaghetti bolognese is Miss Lawson’s favourite too, isn’t it?’ Cassie said, as Liam made sure she was belted safely in the Land Rover.
‘It is, isn’t it?’ he agreed.
‘Are you worried she might not like yours?’
Liam jumped in the other side of the vehicle. Well, he was worried now. He suddenly felt like a teenager again, worrying that he might not be good enough. That he might do something that Sophie didn’t like. That she’d run away again. He was so pleased that she’d agreed to come over for dinner. He wanted everything to go perfectly so that he didn’t scare her off this time.
‘No, not at all,’ he lied.
‘It’s yummy, so you’ll probably be OK,’ Cassie said, looking out the window.
‘Thanks, sweetheart. Are you sure it’s all right for Sophie to come over tomorrow night?’ he asked.
‘Sure.’ She shrugged, sounding more and more grown-up to Liam every time they talked. ‘Do you think Jocelyn could come too?’ Cassie said, changing the subject, much to Liam’s frustration. More than anything, he needed Cassie’s approval, or blessing at least, now that he found himself in the position of wanting to invite a woman over that wasn’t Cassie’s mother.
‘Maybe not tomorrow but Jocelyn can definitely come over for tea one day in the Christmas holidays if it’s all right with her mum,’ said Liam. ‘Or you can go over to hers.’
Cassie smiled to herself, but Liam saw it and felt relieved. He was pleased that Cassie seemed to have made a friend. Her hair was still tied back, and it was lovely to see her face. It was so like Emily’s that his stomach twisted in yearning. He didn’t feel like that as often these days, but sometimes Cassie would pull a particular expression or her hair would fall just so and he’d feel like he’d taken a punch to the gut.
So often she’d sit sullenly looking out of the window as they drove across town and out to the farm, but here they were almost having a conversation, and he could actually see his daughter’s eyes. Liam couldn’t help but think this had something to do with Sophie, and he found himself feeling grateful that she had found a way into their lives.
