Total pages in book: 129
Estimated words: 121871 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 609(@200wpm)___ 487(@250wpm)___ 406(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 121871 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 609(@200wpm)___ 487(@250wpm)___ 406(@300wpm)
“I wish I could take credit for it, but I literally just stuck it in the oven. This is from the butchers. They get the pies from a farm shop on Scaris.”
“It’s excellent.”
There was silence as we ate. Even though we were occupied with the food, it was still awkward, and my mind raced with something to say.
Fiona beat me to it. “London, tell me about yourself. I know you’re American and you’re a chef, but that’s about it, really. I feel like I should know more about my daughter-in-law.”
I internally winced as I swallowed a bite of food. Yeah, she wasn’t wrong.
I told her I was from New York, and I’d worked as a sous chef in Manhattan before following my best friend Tierney to Scotland to work in her B and B. While I spoke, I was aware of Kelly’s study. She might not want to appear interested but, of course, she wanted to know more about this woman living in her house.
Before Fiona could ask anything else, Kelly spoke. “I heard chefs don’t make a lot of money, especially the kind of chef you are for the B and B. Did you and Dad sign a prenup like the one he and Mum signed?”
A quick look at Murray revealed his distress, the strain in his features and how his lips parted as if he was trying to speak but couldn’t.
I realized how tough it was for him to see Kelly asking these sorts of questions. How guilty he probably felt that his teenage daughter was obviously anxious about things she shouldn’t have to concern herself with.
Even Fiona stayed quiet, waiting for an answer.
So, I rescued Murray. “Your dad and I signed what’s called a postnuptial agreement. I told your dad right from the outset that I did not want any money from him, and so the agreement I signed waives any right to financial compensation outside of what I make for myself or have a hand in making together with your father during our marriage.”
“You can’t take money from him when you divorce?” Kelly prodded.
The word when shouldn’t have bothered me so much. “None,” I promised. “That’s not why …”
Kelly stared at me like she didn’t quite understand me, but the sneering curl to her upper lip disappeared.
“And that didn’t bother your parents?” Fiona suddenly cut in. “I mean, you moving across the Atlantic with no plans to leave?” I would have been grateful for the deliberate change of subject if the subject hadn’t been my parents.
“We’re not close.”
“Oh.” She frowned, her green eyes, so like Murray’s, now filled with concern. “Why not?”
Murray cleared his throat and shot his mum a look she ignored.
I took a sip of water as my pulse raced. For some reason, it always felt like a failing on my part that my parents didn’t give a shit about me. “My mom is a cardiothoracic surgeon, and my dad is a neurosurgeon. They’re both top in their fields and their work consumes their lives.”
“Well, that’s very impressive, but I’m sure they miss you.”
“Mum—”
“They don’t.” I gave her a tight smile, thinking of Kelly and hoping my being honest might make her feel less alone. “My mother and father lost the tiny bit of interest they had in me when it was clear I didn’t want to become a surgeon.”
“Oh.” Fiona looked bemused. “I won’t get to meet them, then?”
“They don’t even know I’m married.”
“Well, I would—”
“Have you tasted London’s food yet, Mum?” Murray cut her off. “She’s a fantastic chef.”
“I’ll cook next time,” I added.
“I’d like that.” She stared at me with the kind of worry you might show a child. It was sweet but also made me feel vulnerable in the worst way.
“How was your day?” I changed the subject, glancing around the table.
I noted Murray seemed to wipe his expression clear before he spoke. “I talked with the head teacher at the high school, and they’ve contacted Kelly’s old school for her paperwork so we can get her back into class.”
“Are you looking forward to going back to your old school?” I turned to Kelly.
She shrugged. “I was only at the island high school for a few months before we left for Edinburgh. But Anna and Lucas are there, so they’re excited I’m home.”
We chatted more about what Kelly needed for starting high school on the island, and we covered safe topics, never touching upon her mom or that whole situation. I wondered if she and Fiona had already had a heart-to-heart about it.
“Don’t you have your first gig coming up?” Fiona asked Murray as we cleaned the dishes after dinner.
“In a few weeks. At the Lantern.”
“I never get to hear you play,” Kelly huffed.
“That’s not true. But we usually play late when you’re in bed.”
“I’m fourteen now, Dad. I don’t go to bed at eight o’clock anymore. I could come to the Lantern to see you play.”