Chapter 28

When I got to the hospital the next day, Dad was with his counsellor. I sat at the table in the ward, staring blankly at a magazine. I wasn't remotely interested in the article, but if I didn't keep myself busy, my nails would suffer and they were already a mess.

"Did he show up?" I looked up, startled. Joseph Buqet had sat down at the table.

"Sorry?" I asked.

"Did your dad show up last night?"

"Oh! Yes, he did."

"Good. Everything OK?"

"I think so. Maybe. We're going to talk today." I explained, closing the magazine.

"He'll be back in a minute." He said casually.

We sat in silence before he spoke again.

"Nice bit of drama you had going the other day. Most interesting thing to happen in here for a while." I flushed, recalling the fight.

"I didn't mean for that to happen. It was…"

The door opened and Dad came in with a woman in jeans and a plain shirt. She had light red hair, cut short so it fell about her face. Her eyes were large and green, and she looked quite young, maybe about Erik's age. I got to my feet and Dad smiled. I approached nervously and he said,

"There's someone I'd like you to meet. Christine, this is my counsellor, Samantha." The woman shook my hand.

"Hello Christine. I've heard a lot about you."

"I hope he hadn't been spreading my embarrassing childhood stories again!" I smiled. Samantha laughed and Dad said,

"Samantha said we can use her room to talk. After last time, it might not be a good idea to talk here."

"Good idea." I agreed.

Samantha showed us to a small comfortable room, with armchairs and a desk to one side. She smiled at us.

"Take as long as you need." The door closed behind her and we sat down. Not too close to each other yet. We would need a little time before that. He looked at me.

"You sang beautifully last night."

"Thanks."

"No, I really mean it. I've never heard you sing that well before."

"I have a good teacher."

He fell silent. I took a deep breath.

"Dad, I'm sorry. For what I said at the police station."

"Don't be. Samantha agrees with you, partly."

"You told her about it?" I said, embarrassed. He looked at me wryly.

"Christine, she's my counsellor. I tell her just about everything. But she agreed with you about that. She said that the reason I'm so against you and Erik might be because of Tia."

Tia. It had been so long since he'd said that. Mum's name was Anita but Dad had always called her Tia. But after she'd died, she'd simply become 'your mother' or 'my wife'. Dad continued,

"What you said wasn't entirely untrue… I was just so… so wrapped up in Tia's death that I… I found it hard to accept that you weren't as upset as I was."

"Dad, I am as upset! I just… when you started going to counselling I found that I had to grow up quickly, so I could take care of you." I explained. Dad shook his head sadly.

"You shouldn't have had to. I was supposed to take care of you."

"You were too upset. I didn't mind looking after you. Well… I suppose I did a bit. But that doesn't matter. You needed help, and I wanted to give it to you."

He looked at me sorrowfully. I fiddled with my necklace, not quite able to meet his eye.

"Christine, can we start again?" he asked. A verse from Jesus Christ Superstar came floating from the back of mind.

I've been very hopeful so far

Now for the first time

I think we're going wrong

Hurry up and tell me this is just a dream

Or could we start again please?

"I… Dad, I want to. But… what do you want?" I ask, looking at him directly. He meets my eye and says,

"I want my daughter back. Whatever it takes."

"Even if it takes Erik?" he hesitates. I say,

"You'll just have to find a way to get on with Erik, because I don't plan on giving up on either of you. I'm not asking for you to be best friends. I'll start for you both being civil. Would that work? Could you do that for me?"

Dad looked at me and sighed, smiling resignedly.

"Fine. Civil. I can be civil."

"Good." I smiled and he returned it. He leant forward and took my hands. There was a knock at the door and Samantha came in, carrying a box.

"Here you are, Charles." She said, putting it on the table. Dad smiled.

"Wonderful. Tell me, Christine, do you remember your tenth birthday?"

"Of course." I said, pulling a face. "I asked for a cat and you bought me a goldfish."

"Charles, you didn't!" Samantha laughed,

"He said I wasn't responsible enough for a proper pet." I explained. Samantha started giggle hysterically. Dad, to his credit, remained composed.

"That fish only lived for three days."

"YOU were the one who flushed it down the toilet while it was still alive!" I retorted. Samantha had to sit down, she was laughing so hard.

Dad sighed and picked up the box.

"Well, Christine, I decided to prove that I know you're grown up and that you're a responsible person by fulfilling your childhood wish."

"Dad, you didn't…" I said, staring at the box. He passed it to me. Slowly, I opened it. Curled up in a bed of blankets was a tiny brown kitten. Siamese. I stared at it and then picked it up.

"Oh my god… Dad, she's gorgeous!"

"You like her then? I had Samantha go out and buy her."

"You should have seen me trying to explain that one to the nurses." Samantha chortled. I stroked the kitten's soft fur.

"You really bought me a cat?"

"Yes." Dad said. I laughed and hugged the kitten gently.

"OK, if you're trying to buy back my love, it's definitely working!"

"I'm not, I promise. I just wanted to show you that I trust you. And I'm not going to interfere anymore." He smiled. I placed the kitten back in the box and looked at him seriously.

"You mean it?"

"I mean it. And I'll even try to get on with Erik. I make no promises there, but I'll certainly try."

"That's all I ask." I said, hugging him tightly.

Samantha smiled and said,

"I'm afraid I'm going to have to throw you both out now. I've got another patient coming in."

"OK, thanks Samantha." Dad said, getting to his feet. I helped him, holding the box under one hand. Dad eyed it.

"Did you bring your bike?"

"Yes. Don't worry, I'll drive very slowly. She'll be fine." I promised.

"OK. Tell me when you decide on a name for her." He said. I smiled.

"I will. Bye Samantha. It was nice to meet you."

When I got back to the Manor, I heard piano music floating from the Music Room. I picked up the box and headed for the room. Erik looked up and asked,

"Well?"

"It's fine. We're going to be fine. He even promised to try and get on with you." I said, smiling. Erik smiled gently and his eyes fell on the box.

"What's that?"

"Well… Dad sort of bought me a present." I said. Erik eyed me suspiciously.

"What sort of present?"

I smiled, reached in and brought the kitten out. Erik stared at it.

"A cat?"

"I always wanted one and he said no because I wasn't responsible enough. He said it's a way of showing that he knows I'm responsible for myself now." I explained, stroking the soft brown fur. The kitten tried to chew the end of my finger, watching with big blue eyes. Erik blinked, stunned.

"He bought you a cat?"

"Please don't tell me you're allergic."

"No, I'm not."

"Do you hate cats?"

"No."

"Are you OK? You seem a little shocked." I commented. Erik shook his head.

"No, I just didn't expect it. Siamese?"

"Yeah. I need to think of a name for her." I said. I held the cat out to him and dropped her into his hands. He looked down at her and ran a finger softly down her back. She leapt lightly off his hands and ran along the piano bench. I laughed and scooped her back up.

"She's so cute!"

"Not a term I'm comfortable with." Erik commented. I pulled a face at him.

"Well, you're cute too!" I told him.

"Christine…"

"So cute I could hug you til you pop."

"Christine!"

"So cute I could just-" he got to his feet sharply and I darted for the door. I stood by the door and smiled sweetly.

"Tea?"

"Go." he ordered, smirking.

I took Cat down to the kitchen, where I found an old basket. I lined it with old blankets and put her in. She immediately jumped out. I laughed and put the kettle on as she scampered around, exploring her new home. It was then that I realised that we had no cat food. Still, there was some fish in the freeze. She could eat that for now. I sat down, cross legged on the floor.

"We need to find you a name, don't we Cat?" I said, putting down some milk. She sniffed at it and cautiously lapped a little with her tiny pink tongue. Dad had told me that she had had all of her injections, so I didn't need to worry about that.

"Well, Cat, when I was ten, I came up with a whole load of names for cats. But Dad got me that goldfish instead, so I didn't have much opportunity to use the names. You can't call a fish 'Fluffy'. It's just not done, you see." I said, explaining to Cat who simply meowed and went to investigate the table.

I smiled and picked her up, lifting her so I was looking straight into her face.

"So, I do have a few names. But 'Fluffy' really doesn't suit you. Besides, I doubt we could ever persuade Erik to call you that. And 'Tibbles' is just too predictable. Maybe something a little more unusual. I don't know any Siamese names, but I'm sure we can think of something foreign." Cat mewed thoughtfully and wriggled. I put her down and started to clean herself, licking her paw and wiping it over her head. I smiled at her adorableness.

"Maybe Erik has some ideas. But I think he might be a little bit upset at me calling him cute. Maybe we'll let him calm down first. But I'm sure he could come up with something exotic for you. Don't' tell him I said this, but the man is very much a genius. I've probably told him enough times, but between you and me, it doesn't do to let men get too proud of themselves."

Cat stretched her legs, claws sliding from her paws. I laughed and stroked her tiny back. She rubbed against my knee.

"Check me out. I've had a cat for five minutes and I'm already Crazy Cat Lady, talking to her pet. Never mind. You're a good listener, aren't you, Cat?"

"Crazy Cat Lady seems most appropriate." Erik commented. I flushed.

"How long have you been there?"

"Since 'Tibbles'." Erik smirked. I tried to look aloof.

"You shouldn't be listening in on my private conversation."

"With a cat?"

I stuck my tongue out and picked up Cat.

"She happens to be a very good listener."

"Not much of a conversationalist though."

"She is a cat."

"I'm so glad you noticed." He smirked. I pulled another face and stood to pour tea. Erik was considering Cat, a thoughtful expression on his face.

"What about Ayesha?

"Ayesha?" I said, looking at him. "Where did that come from?"

"It's just a name." He said, shrugging. I looked down at Cat.

"Ayesha… I like it. Hear that, Cat? You've got a name now. Ayesha."

Ayesha didn't seem remotely interested. She was chewing my shoelaces. Erik bent and picked her up gently. I smiled as he sat at the table, examining her. I set two cups of tea on the table and sat down.

"I met Dad's counsellor, Samantha."

"Really?"

"Hmm. She was nice. I think she's really helping Dad."

"Good."

I didn't know what else to say. I didn't feel like repeating the events that had taken place in the hospital and Erik didn't seem to want to pry. We settled for playing with Ayesha instead. Erik, as it turned out, knew quite a lot about cats and gave me a list of things she would need for the next time I went shopping.

"Do you think she'll be warm enough, sleeping down here?" I asked, looking down at her as she wriggled around under the table. Erik pointed at the cupboard.

"If we put her in there, with the door open. There's a hot water pipe. She'll be fine."

"I don't want to leave her down here. What if she gets lonely?"

"Christine, cats are solitary animals. She'll be perfectly happy down here." Erik said firmly. II saw that he wasn't going to budge on the subject and resigned myself to the fact that Ayesha would be sleeping here.

I stood to wash the cups, turning on the CD player as I did so. The Corrs came in and I listened to the lyrics of So Young as the water ran.

And spending all of our nights

Just laughing and kissing, yeah

And it really doesn't matter if we don't eat

And it really doesn't matter if we never sleep

No it really doesn't matter

Really doesn't matter at all

Cos we are so young now

We are so young, so young now

And when tomorrow comes

We'll just do it all again

That was so true. When I was around Erik, it really didn't seem to matter about the small things like eating and sleeping. So young… I didn't feel that young. Although, in comparison to Erik I probably was young. Did he see me as young? I wondered.

"You're brooding."

His voice broke me out of my train of thoughts. He was watching me carefully, Ayesha curled up in his lap, purring.

"What?" I said, bewildered.

"You're brooding about something."

"Am not."

"You are. You're chewing on your lip, you only do that when you're brooding." He said casually, running a finger through Ayesha's fur. I smiled.

"Do I?"

"Hmm. What's wrong?"

"Nothing. Just random thoughts."

"Really?" he said, not sounding as if he believed me for one moment. I smiled.

"Yes. It's nothing."

I didn't want anymore doubts. I didn't want anything, except this. And I had it. It didn't matter if I was young and foolish. Because Erik was definitely sensible enough to keep my feet on the ground when I had my head in the clouds.

A/N: Urgh, hard chapter to get through. I don't know why I had so much trouble with this. I'll try and get the next part finished, quicker, OK? But school is keeping me down still and I think my head is going to explode at any moment. I need lots of lovely reviews to cheer me up.

Lotsa luv

Katie