Part 176 (1/2)
like to be Brian McAvoy's daughter. But he asked me to dinner before he
knew. It didn't make a difference to him. Then when I told him, he
was, well, embarra.s.sed. There was something so charming about the way
he reacted.”
”Did you go out with him?”
”No. I was too fl.u.s.tered, and maybe a little afraid to say yes. Then
today, he sent me a note. And-oh, Mum, I'm dying to see him again. I
wish you'd come tonight so you could just be there.”
”You know I can't, Emma.”
”I know, I know.” She let out a long breath. ”You see, I've never felt
this way before. Sort of .
”Light-headed, short of breath.”
”Yes.” Emma laughed. ”Yes, exactly-11
She had felt the same way once. Only once. ”You have plenty of time to
get to know him. Go slow.”
”I've always gone slow,” she muttered. ”Did you go slow with Dad?”
It hurt. More than fifteen years had pa.s.sed, and it still hurt. ”No. I
wouldn't listen to anyone.”
”You listened to yourself Mum-”
”Let's not talk about Brian.”
”All right. Just one thing more. Dad goes to Ireland-to Darrentwice
every year. Once on Darren's birthday, and once on ... once in
December. I thought you should know.”
”Thank you.” She gave Emma's hand a squeeze. ”You didn't come here to
talk about sad things.”
”No. No, I didn't.” Emma knelt, rested her hands on Bev's thigh. ”I