pulled out the nearest chair. ‘Sit. I’ll make tea.’
‘Okay. Choc-chip cookies are in the container above the stove.’ Tash watched Alisha prepare the tea, hoping a good cuppa would ease the churning in her stomach. Doubtful, as nothing would help until Isla waltzed through the back door and told her everything that had transpired.
Alisha placed a plate of biscuits between them and their cups of tea on the table.
Tash reached for hers. ‘Thanks, Lish, I needed this.’
‘My pleasure.’
They sipped their tea in silence but Alisha kept casting her curious glances.
Tash put her cup down. ‘Whatever’s on your mind, Lish, spit it out.’
With a sigh, Alisha said, ‘Have you considered seeing a lawyer?’
Tash shook her head. ‘Not yet, but I know I’ll need to book an appointment shortly.’
‘Kody’s mega rich and I think you need to protect yourself.’
‘He’d never sue for full custody. He’d want what’s best for Isla.’
‘You lied to this guy and kept Isla a secret for thirteen years. It’s natural he’d resent you, and who knows where that could lead?’
Tash didn’t like Alisha’s pitying stare. ‘He’s not like that,’ she said, wishing the fear gripping her heart would ease. ‘There’s no room in his life for a child. Which is why I didn’t tell him in the first place.’
Alisha shrugged. ‘People change. Hell, look at Harry and me. If you’d told me a year ago I’d be marrying a confirmed hermit, I would’ve laughed.’
‘You and Harry were always destined to be together. It just took you longer to figure out than most.’
‘Better late than never.’
Tash laughed. ‘Speaking of Harry, how are the wedding plans coming along?’
‘Surprisingly well. Keeping it low key is helping.’
‘I’m so happy for you both.’ Tash reached across the table and squeezed Alisha’s hand. ‘Let me know if you need anything.’
‘Now that you mention it, how would you feel about throwing a bridal shower? I’m not into all that palaver, especially at my age, but Ruby keeps hounding me about it and she’s sweet to offer to host, but you and I’ve been friends for years—’
‘Consider it done.’ For the first time all morning, excitement replaced worry. ‘Do you have anything special in mind?’
Alisha rolled her eyes. ‘If I had my way we’d be sneaking off to the registry office in Melbourne to avoid all this, but you guys plus Mum and Dad are my family and I want to celebrate with you all, so whatever you want to do is fine by me.’
‘One stripper or two?’ Tash deadpanned, biting back a laugh at Alisha’s startled expression.
‘Mum would have a heart attack.’
‘I think Brenda might surprise you. Doesn’t she devour those racy novels by the carload?’
‘Good point.’ Alisha chuckled. ‘But this is a bridal shower, not a bachelorette party, so no strippers.’
‘But there’ll be cake and party favours so there will be penises.’
They laughed and it felt good for Tash to take her mind off what was happening next door.
As if reading her mind, Alisha said, ‘How long do you reckon she’ll be?’
‘I don’t know.’
Tash wanted Isla to bond with her dad but a small part of her hoped Isla would rush home to tell her all about it sooner rather than later. She’d raised Isla to be confident and articulate, and to that end her daughter rarely had a quiet moment. But while Kody may have thawed since their fraught reunion yesterday, Tash couldn’t help but wonder if some of his residual resentment would spill over and affect their daughter.
Not that Isla would stand for it. She never had any trouble voicing her opinions. What Tash wouldn’t give to be a fly on the proverbial wall over there right now.
‘What’s he like? Has fame changed the guy you dated?’
Tash thought for a moment, before slowly shaking her head. ‘Not really. He’s angry at me for withholding the truth, but overall he seems the same.’
Alisha’s eyebrows rose. ‘Really?’ She flashed a sheepish grin. ‘Because I did an online search this morning and he’s one of the most famous rock stars this country’s ever produced. Gorgeous too.’
Tash had to agree he hadn’t changed much in that regard. Apart from the lines creasing his forehead and the corners of his eyes, Kody looked better than she remembered.
‘Speaking of which, are you going to tell me about that cryptic comment regarding seeing him naked in the bathroom?’
Tash mimicked zipping her lips and Alisha reached across the table to slug her on the arm.
‘Come on, now that I’m virtually an old married woman I need to live vicariously through