‘You know, it would be nice to know that you’d come round because you wanted to see me rather than because you needed a port in a storm, but I suppose beggars can’t be choosers. Come in. I’ll get the vodka.’
Leo followed him down the hall, and he spoke to her over his shoulder.
‘What have you been up to all day?’
‘I was at home until about three, but Ellie was due back and I couldn’t face her. I’ll get to that in a minute. So I took myself into Altrincham and decided to have a pedicure and a few other bits and pieces at the beauticians.’
Tom had been around women for long enough to know not to ask about the ‘bits and pieces’ but assumed that they had probably been painful.
‘Well, now you’re all beautified again, have a drink and tell me if you definitely want to go out, or would you prefer to eat in? Nothing complicated, I promise. I’ve got some fillet steak and we could slap it on the barbecue and have it with some salad if that would do? I’ll even make some homemade oven chips if you like, although you don’t look much like a chip girl to me,’ he said, glancing at her slim body.
‘Well looks can be very deceptive. And if there’s one thing that I know how to do, it’s peel a potato.’
He handed Leo a vodka shot, and took a bottle of Corona out of the fridge.
‘Loads of time for that. We can eat at about eight, if that’s okay. Let’s go and sit in comfort. I’ve been shifting rubbish all day and could do with putting my feet up for an hour or so. I must have been to the tip about six times.’
‘Ah ha - that explains the old Jeep outside. I thought you’d have some flashy number.’
‘I keep the posh car in the garage, but unless I’ve got Lucy with me, I’d rather drive the Jeep. Suits the new laid back image better, I think. Lucy loves the Lexus, though. Like you, I went for a coupé, and she thinks it’s great when we have the roof down.’ Tom grinned indulgently as he thought of his daughter.
He guided Leo into the sitting room and indicated that she should take a seat. It was time to be serious for a moment.
‘I was going to come round tomorrow anyway. I’ve got something I need to talk to you about,’ he said.
As they sat down, Leo looked at Tom warily.
‘It’s about your father. It’s not great news, I’m afraid. I’d have told you as soon as I knew, but when I called round earlier the only car at Willow Farm was Ellie’s and I wanted to catch you on your own. It’s up to you how you decide to share it.’
Leo leant back in the chair.
‘It’s okay, Tom. You know I didn’t have much of an opinion of him. Just tell me.’ She downed her shot, as if Dutch courage was a prerequisite.
‘Do you want another of those, or shall I get you a glass of wine?’ Tom asked.
‘Neither, thanks. I’m fine. Just get on with it, please.’
Tom was very aware that Leo liked her personal space to be kept completely clear, and although he respected that, on this occasion he felt she might need some sense of human touch. He moved across to the pouffe that was by Leo’s chair and reached out for her hand, half expecting her to pull it away.
‘Christ, it must be bad if you feel you have to hold my hand,’ she said in a tone that would have driven most men to back off.
‘Shut up, Leo. You’re only human, and despite not thinking much of your dad, sometimes a bit of the old touchy feely is quite comforting. Give it a try, eh?’
Tom wondered for a moment how many men must have been forced out by Leo’s inability to accept closeness on any level. He looked straight into Leo’s eyes as he spoke.
‘I’m so sorry, Leo, but your father really is dead. He died about three years after he left home. Your stepmother never had him declared dead at all. She’d known all along.’
Leo’s expression didn’t waver, but nevertheless Tom gently stroked the back of her hand with his thumb. She had probably been expecting the news that her father was dead, but it was the rest he was worried about.