Chapter 6

This time I'd sort of seen it coming. I didn't want it to happen but now that it had I found it didn't hit me as hard as Penny's betrayal. I still felt pretty bad for a while but didn't have to depend on anyone else. I had been looking around for a chance to move. I'd been hearing rumours about problems between Penny and her new husband. I don't know if there was any connection but I had noticed her driving past the house a few times, and twice I saw her sitting in her car just looking at the house. I knew I didn't want to be around when it all fell apart so when a head of department position became vacant in Penrith, I applied. For the first time I was glad that I'd honoured my contract at the college, they gave me a glowing reference. It was only after I was offered the job that I gave any thought to what to do with my house. I'd more or less decided to rent it out when Phoebe made her announcement. It was her first day at home for the Easter break, and while we were drinking coffee after dinner she told me.

"Daddy, you know Robert and I are pretty serious don't you."

"Yes, I sort of expected you'd get married one day." Then a bit of panic hit me. I'd heard about how divorcing parents often resulted in the children being unwilling to make a commitment. "You're not breaking up are you? You two seemed so right for each other."

"No, it's just the opposite, in fact. We want to get married. You know I love him Daddy. We don't want to wait; we know we want to spend our lives together."

I heaved a sigh of relief. "So are you asking my permission, or you asking me to pay for it?"

"Well now you mention it ... Seriously Dad I've told Robert that I don't want a big wedding were both in enough debt as it is. Robert's parents would probably pay but I really don't want that."

"No one else is paying for my daughter's wedding."

"I knew you'd say that. I've got some great ideas. It really won't be that expensive."

"Where are you going to live?"

"I don't know we'll probably rent somewhere while we save for a deposit."

"Live here. You can pay me rent."

"But we couldn't possibly afford this place."

"Oh I think you could, if you didn't have to save."

"Now you've got me confused."

"It's simple, really. You live here pay rent to my agent. I put the money into an account and in three years or so, when you want to move on, or I want to come back, I give you what is in the account as your deposit on a house."

"Oh Daddy, would you really do that for me."

"For my only daughter of course I would."

"But why bother with the agent? We would save even more if we paid the rent direct to you."

"You miss a payment, they will chase you. I couldn't do that to my little girl."

"Do you really mean it Dad? I'd love to live here but where are you going to live?"

"I have my eye on a little cottage in Ullswater. I've got a new job in Penrith. I've been wondering what to do about this place I didn't want to sell it; you will look after the old place won't you."

"Of course I will Dad, It's my home."

"Good. Now young lady, you have a wedding to plan, and I have to find some money." I stood up and collected the cups and walked into the kitchen.

I came back in and dropped Penny's engagement and wedding rings on the table.

"You could have these. That would save you a few bob."

"Phoebe's mouth fell open. She seemed genuinely shocked.

"Dad, those are Mum's rings. You can't expect me to wear them. If they were a family heirloom I'd understand, but mum's still alive. I can't do it Dad I won't do it."

I sat down beside her and put my arm around her.

"I'm sorry darling I'm being thoughtless aren't I. It's just that they've been sitting in that drawer since your mother and I split up. I have no idea what to do with them. Perhaps I should sell them; they'd fetch a fair amount these days."

"Just give them back to her Dad. I'm sure she'd like that, and every time you see them it's just a reminder of what happened. You should talk to mum, I'm sure she'll help with the wedding if she can. You should talk to her dad."

"I've no desire to talk to her and no need of her help."

"You'll have to talk to her at the wedding. You know I have to invite her don't you?"