Robert got up early, so he could eat breakfast alone and leave for the office. Cora was trying to connect with him, but he wasn't ready. He didn't know exactly why he was so mad at her. Deep down, he knew, she was as scared as he was about Charlotte. But why wasn't she saying something against it.
The thought of Charlotte living with Kieran made him grow cold deep inside. What was he seeing in his girl? She was only 18. And Tom wasn't much better, only that he paid regular visits to the house and Robert was getting used to him.
Kieran gave him an unruly feeling, he couldn't explain why and what, but something was off with him. He needed to find out what, before Charlotte would leave.
"Good morning, you are early?" John stepped into his office.
Robert looked up. "I have a busy day, this way I could already work in peace. And finish some stuff.
John looked at his dark screen and laughed. "Without a turned-on computer?"
Robert looked at his screen and chuckled. "Alright, you caught me. I needed time to be away from home."
John closed his office door and sat down. "Troubles?"
Robert contemplated about telling John, but at this point it was useless not to tell. "Charlotte has a boyfriend, he is 12 years older and now they want to live together."
"Letting your little girl go, is hard."
"It is not only that. They know each other for 3 months now and Kieran is giving me strange vibes. Something is wrong with that guy, and I can't really tell what."
"What is Cora's view on this?"
"I can't really tell……" Robert started.
"You are not telling me, you are not talking with her about this?"
"We don't talk at all since Charlotte dropped her news." Robert said ashamed.
John sighed. "So, you are not only mad at Charlotte, but also at Cora?"
" Why do you think, I am the one who is making problems?" Robert asked.
"I know you. I know how hard-headed you can be. And since you married Cora, I also know her quite well. Let me guess, she wants to talk with you, but you are shutting her out. She doesn't like Kieran either, but wants to reason with Charlotte? Maybe she is right. Charlotte is at that delicate age, where she is easily upset."
Robert got annoyed. "Why aren't you going to talk with Cora and Charlotte? You know us so well."
John sighed again. "I will start my day. Just think about what I said." He got up and walked out of Robert's office.
Robert rested his head in his hands. His world was a mess, and he knew, that he needed to talk to clean up the mess.
Cora was making dinner when Robert got home. He walked into the kitchen and gave her a quick kiss on her cheek. He startled Cora. She turned half around to face him. A surprised look on her face.
"What is this?" She brushed her hands against her apron.
Robert coloured, he didn't expect this reaction. "I….. maybe you are right, and we need to talk."
"Not now, dinner will be ready in 10 minutes." She turned back to the stove.
Robert stepped back. took of his jacket and picked up the newspaper. Dinner was again in an awkward silence between him and Cora. When everybody was finished, he send the girls upstairs. "Can we talk now?" He took Cora's hand when she started cleaning up the table.
Cora took in a deep sigh and sat down again. "Did you talk with Rosamund?"
"John and I had a chat. He found me in the office this morning."
"Thank you for leaving a note, that you were already gone. I made breakfast when I discovered you weren't in the guest bedroom anymore."
"Darling, I am sorry. I should not be angry at you, but at Charlotte."
"Robert, you shouldn't be angry at all. That is what's making this situation even worse. You are pushing Charlotte in Kieran's arms. Charlotte doesn't feel at home here, and I am not surprised."
"Oh, now I am the one who is at fault here?" Robert's voice got angry.
"That is not what I am saying." Cora got annoyed. "But your behaviour isn't making it better."
Robert stood up. "I wanted to talk to you about the situation, but clearly you don't want to talk sensibly."
"I am trying to talk to you for days, but you are blocking me out. You even slept in the guest bedroom last night, because you didn't want to listen to my view."
"Clearly you also don't want to listen to my view." Robert shouted at Cora.
"You made your view very clear the last days. There is no doubt what you think of this. But did you think for a second how this is for Charlotte? Robert! We are pushing her away. This home needs to be a safe place and right now it isn't. Not even for Mary, Edith and Sybil with us fighting."
Robert sat back down. "I don't like fighting with you."
Cora had to bite her tongue. She wanted to say he was the one constantly fighting, but she knew, that wouldn't help at all. She reached her hand over the table. "We should go and talk with Charlotte. I think she is in her room."
"Darling?" Cora said while opening Charlotte's door. She saw her lying in bed under the covers. "Are you asleep?"
A very soft 'no' came from Charlotte. Cora opened her door further and both her and Robert stepped in. "We want to talk to you." Cora said.
Charlotte sat right up. "There is nothing to talk about!" She said crossing her arms in front of her chest.
Cora sat down on her bedside and laid her hand on her arms. "Darling, can you please listen to us?"
Charlotte took in a deep breath and looked at her father and back to her mother.
"We know you like Kieran very much and you cannot wait to live together. But we think it is a little bit too soon to move in together, but…. " Cora tightened her grip on Charlotte's arm, when she opened her mouth to protest. "What if you go for a longer sleep over? To start with a few days."
"On one condition!" Robert interrupted. "You are using protection!"
"Papa!" Charlotte's cheeks got red as a tomato, even Cora coloured, looking up at Robert.
"I guess your father is right. I hope that if you are having sex, you two do it safe. Just think about this! For now, go to sleep, you have a school day tomorrow." Cora kissed her forehead and got up to walk out of the room.
Robert followed her. Outside Charlotte's room, Robert put both hands on Cora's waist and kissed her neck. "Thank you, for being the one to keep the head cool." His kisses moved to her cheek.
Cora stepped back from Robert, pushing his hands of her. "I hope, this isn't too late." She turned around and walked into their bedroom. Robert looked at her walking away.
