Right then, love, this is your new room. Make yourself at home, Simon said, leaning against the doorframe.
Katie took a tentative step inside. A bed draped in an absurdly fluffy duvet greeted her, a desk with a laptop perched on it, a wardrobe with mirrored doors, and a rectangular rug with a geometric pattern underneath. Everything was sleek, pricey, and nothing like the cosy nook shed left behind.
Simon hauled two large suitcases full of Katies stuff and set them beside the wardrobe.
Can you sort it out yourself? he asked.
Of course she could. She wasnt about to ask for help, let alone from Daisy.
Daisy appeared carrying a potted plant with long, narrow leaves and set it on the windowsill.
Thought this would look splendid here, she said with a cheery smile, fixing her gaze on Katie, who stood there glum and silent.
Lets go, Simon, Daisy called, patting his shoulder and guiding him toward the hallway.
Make yourself comfortable, she whispered, gently closing the door behind them.
Make yourself comfortable, Katie repeated in her head, feeling a wave of melancholy. She collapsed onto the bed, turned to face the wall, curled into a ball, hugging her knees and shutting her eyes.
Mother, mother! Why? We were always together and now youve left me. Why didnt you go straight to the hospital? Did you ever think of me? she thought. The past ten years had seen her as a proper mums girl. Since her mums death shed barely seen her dad, who barely addressed her by name. Dad! sounded foreign on her tongue. She tried to picture him and his new wife.
Katie had always imagined that wealthy divorced men married runway models whose lips were just right for their daughters. Daisy, despite being younger than Simon, was unremarkable: short, bobcut hair, and she ran a modest legal firm. Smart, businesslike, nothing like mums warm kitchen always smelling of roast and fresh scones. Daisy often ordered takeaway instead.
Did she do the decorating? Katie mused, running her hand over the soft, long pile of the duvet a texture shed never known.
At her new secondary school, Katie quickly made friends, mostly because of her dads money and her striking looks. The girls decided it was easier to be pals than rivals. Previously, her only close contact had been her mum; now she enjoyed the new crowd, feeling understood and needed. Boys started to notice her, and she secretly enjoyed the attention.
At first, she truly suffered from the circumstances, and the class took her on as the halforphan forced to live with a cold stepmother and a reluctant father. She liked the role and kept it up, even when she overheard a classmate whisper to a boy:
Whys she always moaning about her stepmum? My mums friend works for her and says shes a decent lady.
When Katie first came home late, Simon said, Kid, I get you want to be out with friends, so I didnt call. But please dont stay out so late again. Deal?
She said nothing and retreated to her room.
The next night, when the gang planned a night out, she switched her phone off. Simon was waiting at home, his face a storm cloud.
Do it again and Ill have to take action, he warned.
Katie shot him a sharp look and swaggered into her room. Daisy was already on the bed, springing up at the sight of Katie.
Wanted to have a word, Daisy started.
Katie stayed silent, her expression saying, What else do you want? Daisy flustered, losing some of her resolve.
Simons worried about you, she said.
Im almost sixteen! Katie snapped.
She began coming home on time to keep Simon happy. She had a birthday plan: a party with friends, a flat promised by her older brothers friend. She was dating a lad she liked and hoped to spend the evening alone with him.
One afternoon Simon announced, Daisy booked a table for tomorrow. Well celebrate your birthday. Want to invite your friends?
What? A restaurant? With you two? I was planning a night out with my mates! Katie protested.
And when were you supposed to tell us? Simon asked.
I dont know, Katie muttered. Maybe tomorrow.
So on your birthday then. Fine, if you want friends, you can have them over here. Daisy will sort the food.
The thought of the whole thing made Katies stomach drop. Almost everything was ready: Maxs brothers flat, the booze supplied by a friend, the whole lot. She imagined being mocked for being stuck in a parents house. She fled to school, determined to think of something.
Later that night, the hallway was brightly lit. An irate Simon stood before Katie.
What do you think youre doing?! he roared, stepping closer, smelling faintly of alcohol and cigarette smoke.
Simon! Daisy shouted from behind. Katie lifted her head, seeing Daisys desperate eyes, smudged mascara from recent tears.
Daisy gently pushed Simon away, took Katies shoulders, and led her to the bedroom.
Tell me quickly, has anyone hurt you? Did something bad happen? she whispered.
No, all good, Katie shook her head.
Ill speak to Simon. How can I help? Daisy asked.
Bring me a drink, Katie muttered.
Shes fine, Daisy told her husband, who was fidgeting by the door.
When Daisy returned, Katie, still in her nightclothes, was fast asleep.
Simon, smelling the alcohol, snapped, She smelled like youd been drinking! Did you notice?
Of course. Remember when you were sixteen? Daisy replied, smiling.
Right, what? Shes just a girl, Simon muttered.
Think of your peers. Katies not stupid, but her friends mean more to her now than you. Give her space. Her life turned upside down in a flash. Maybe itll help her cope.
Cope with what? She has everything. Food, clothes, a roof. Ill grant any whim she has! Simon exclaimed.
Simon! Stop pretending youre clueless! The girl lost her mother. All she needs now is love and attention, and shes finding it in that crowd. Something happened today maybe a fight?
I dont know, Simon sighed. I never imagined itd be this hard.
What about me? Daisy laughed, hugging Simon and planting a kiss on his forehead. Dont worry, well manage together.
The next morning Daisy entered Katies room. Katie was awake, eyes wide open.
How do you feel? Head hurting? Daisy asked, pulling the curtains aside.
Here, she said, handing Katie a glass of water.
Katie gulped it down.
Why did you look after me last night? Daisy asked.
Because I was sixteen once too, she shrugged. Happy birthday, by the way.
Katie stayed silent.
Hate me? she asked.
Your dad left because of you, Daisy replied.
You know that isnt true. We met a year after he left.
Exactly! What if he came back?
Daisy sighed. Its never that simple, Katie. People rarely reconnect after a split.
Why not? Like yours? My mum was wonderful!
Your mum was brilliant! Daisy tried to take Katies hand, but she pulled away. Adult relationships are messy. Sometimes they work, sometimes they dont, and theres rarely a single villain.
So whats my fault? He didnt care about me!
Thats not true. He tried to make sure you never wanted for anything. He was always uptodate on your life.
He didnt want to see me!
He wanted to. He just thought youd be better off with mum.
Daisy didnt explain that Katies mother had asked Simon not to get involved after they married, fearing hed steal time from his daughter. Simon gave up after the first argument.
He loves you. Youre just getting older.
Daisy placed her hand on Katies shoulder. This time Katie didnt pull away.
If the boy I was dating turned up on my birthday with another girl and said he was breaking up with me, does that make him the only one to blame?
Hmm. Well have to think about that. Did he say anything else?
He called me overthinking.
See?
At that moment Katie yearned for a hug, a simple reassurance that everything would be alright, that the painful knot in her chest would loosen. Daisy seemed to sense it and pulled the crying girl close.
KatieKatie, I cant replace your mum, but Id love to be a friend. I fell in love at sixteen too. He was a year older, and soon I found out he was seeing another girl from the next school.
Good riddance! What did you do?
We both dumped him.
And your fault?
I spent too much time on my studies.
They burst into laughter, and the tension melted away. Both felt theyd taken a big step toward each other.
Listen, Daisy said, lets both take a walk today. You go to school, I go to work, and well spend some of dads cash together. Deal?
Katie managed a tentative smile. All right! I talked to him yesterday. He said we could pick any gift for you. Ready?
The girls chatted excitedly about shopping and the day ahead, when suddenly the car lurched, screeched, and then hit something softly. A loud, terrifying squeal of brakes followed, then everything fell silent.
Dad! Dad, were in hospital! a voice shouted.
Half an hour later Katie spotted her fathers silhouette at the end of the hospital corridor and waved.
Katie! Simon rushed to her, cradling her shoulders, scanning her from head to toe. He saw bruises on her face and arms.
Are you okay? Any cuts? he asked, his voice shaking.
Just a scratch, she replied, trying to sound brave.
Simon stared at her, eyes wide, then whispered, Wheres Daisy?
In the next ward. The impact was on her side. Some idiot jumped out of nowhere. Shes alive, Dad! Katie said.
Simon pulled her close, his shoulders trembling. She rested her head on his chest, feeling ashamed of yesterdays outburst.
Its fine, love. Lets forget it, alright? he murmured, trying to smooth things over.
A doctor entered.
Are you his wife? the doctor asked.
Yes, Simon answered, letting Katie go. Whats wrong with her?
Severe bruising and shock. The airbag did its job. Shell be fine. Most importantly, the child is unharmed.
The child? Simon looked bewildered at Katie. What child?
The baby, the doctor said with a faint smile, then left.
Simon muttered under his breath, I cant see that the babys fine. He hugged Katie again.
Dad, didnt you get the baby thing? Katie teased, rolling her eyes.
What? Simon asked, genuinely confused.
You know, Im going to have a brother or sister soon! Katie said, grinning.
