Maggie put the wine back in the fridge, slammed the door shut, came back around the island and sat on the stool next to Daisy. ‘Is there a problem in boho bookshop heaven other than the corporation threat?’
‘As I said, I am fine.’ Daisy took a huge sip of her wine.
‘You are not.’ Maggie and Annabelle said in unison.
Maggie squinted. ‘What else has happened about GayesBooks? There are posters everywhere and the Facebook group is mental. Any news yet?’
Daisy shook her head. ‘Actual hard facts that don’t involve Suntanned Pete constantly going around putting posters on anything that doesn’t move are few and far between.’
‘Right.’
Daisy flicked her hand. ‘I’ve been keeping an eye on the place and I’ve not seen a single soul there, so no news to report.’
‘What else is bothering you?’ Annabelle narrowed her eyes and raised her chin.
Daisy sighed. ‘I might have another small dilemma to add to my stressful book-related dilemma.’
‘They’re coming thick and fast. Go ahead. We are here to counsel you.’ Maggie joked.
‘It’s not funny.’ Daisy shook her head. ‘Miles wants to properly meet the girls and be in their life.’
Annabelle frowned. ‘He’s met them. I witnessed it with my own eyes.’
‘No, yes, no, he wants to, you know, be more “in” as he put it.’
‘Meaning?’
‘Meaning, that they know he’s well, in the picture. Properly in the picture and part of us.’
‘Right, and you have a problem with that?’ Maggie frowned.
Daisy shook her head. ‘Just a small one!’
‘Which is?’ Annabelle prompted, leaning forward on her elbows.
‘Which is that I've never had to do this before.’ Daisy's voice was small and fairly pathetic. ‘I've never had to introduce the girls to someone who might be, well, who might matter.’
Maggie took a long sip of her wine and studied Daisy's face. ‘So, what you're saying is that Miles matters.’
‘I didn't say that.’
‘You didn't have to say it, you numpty. It's written all over your face.’ Maggie gestured with her wine glass. ‘The question is, why are you so terrified about it?’
Daisy felt heat creep up her neck. ‘I'm not terrified.’
‘Youareabsolutely terrified and that's understandable. The girls are your world. Let’s admit it: they are everything to all of us…’
‘Exactly. I can't mess this up.’
‘Who says you're going to mess it up?’ Maggie demanded. ‘You're assuming disaster before anything has even happened.’
‘I don't know the rules and part of me doesn’t want to. I don't know what I'm supposed to do or say or how to make it work. What if they hate him? What if he doesn't like them? What if it all goes wrong and then I've ruined everything?’
Annabelle squeezed Daisy's arm. ‘Flip it. What if it goes right?’
‘It won't. Nothing has so far with me. Do I need to mention the bungee jump?’
‘How can you possibly know if you don't try?’
