‘Right.’
‘Thanks for letting me know.’
‘You’re her father.’
‘What’s that supposed to mean?’ Dan sighed. ‘Listen, I’ll call you in a bit when I’m done. See where you’re up to.’
‘Whatever.’
‘Come on, Maria. Don’t be like that. Are you sure she won’t speak to me?’
‘I have to go. Someone’s coming over.’
‘Wait … Hello?’ Damn. She’d hung up on him. Most of their phone calls seemed to end that way nowadays. Being separated was hard work – especially when a child was involved.
Was it unreasonable of him not to down tools and race over to the hospital immediately? Was that what most fathers would do? Probably, but he was so bloody busy. He found it so tough to strike the right balance with Ruby. The temptation, of course, was to wrap her up in cotton wool; do everything to keep her safe; pander to her every need. That was Maria’s way, but Dan knew it would only make Ruby more vulnerable in the long run. Wouldn’t they be better preparing her for the harsh realities she’d face later in life? Wasn’t that the best way to—
‘Smoke?’
He looked up to see Maurice standing next to his desk, a freshly rolled cigarette tucked behind one ear. There was a smile stretched across his ruddy face and he looked as laid-back as ever.
‘I’ve even got my own today,’ he said.
‘So I see.’
‘I can roll one for you too, if you like. Might as well take advantage while I have some baccy.’
‘No, thanks. I’ll stick to my Marlboro Lights. I will join you, though. I could do with a break.’
‘Good stuff.’
Maurice, who was in his late forties, had wavy salt and pepper hair that got increasingly messy the longer he spent at work. He was great company: a magnetic character, liked by everyone in the office. He was good at his job and fazed by nothing. Mostly, though, it was his easy manner that people warmed to; his ability to focus on whoever he was talking to and make them feel important. He’d listen and empathise in a way that made them want to confide in him, like they had a special relationship. It was quite the gift and especially useful as a bachelor. Despite his average looks, he always seemed to have several girlfriends on the go at once. Not that he’d ever boast about the fact; that wasn’t his style. He was more likely to look embarrassed than proud if someone brought it up.
‘Are you all right, mate?’ he asked Dan as they took the lift downstairs. ‘You look troubled.’
‘I had my wife on the phone. Ruby’s at A&E. She fell down the stairs and broke her arm.’
‘Oh, no. That’s awful. How’s she doing?’
‘Well, she’ll be there a while, by the sound of things.’
‘Are you getting out of here, then?’
‘I doubt it. Not for a few hours, anyway. I’ve still got loads to tie up. These things always happen on deadline day, don’t they?’
‘I can help, if you like. I’m not too busy.’
‘Thanks, but it’s not like I’d be able to do anything for her at the hospital.’
‘No, but you’re her dad. She’ll want you there. Trust me.’
Maurice had a daughter of his own – a nineteen-year-old from a short-lived relationship in his younger days – so he did know what he was talking about. However, he didn’t know how tricky things had been with Ruby recently. She hadn’t taken well to Dan moving out of the family home. He’d always suspected that she blamed him for the split with Maria and a few weeks ago she’d said as much. It was blurted out in anger and she’d apologised later on, claiming not to have meant it, but the words had stuck with Dan. Wasn’t it supposed to be the other way around? Weren’t the weekends with him supposed to be the fun time? Weren’t daughters supposed to be daddy’s girls? Welcome to reality, he thought.
By the time they went back inside, Dan had agreed to accept Maurice’s kind offer to stand in and finish his papers off for him.
‘You’re sure?’ he asked one more time before leaving for the hospital.
‘Go. Be with your daughter.’
‘Thanks, mate. I owe you.’
Half an hour later he was at St Joseph’s, where Ruby was slumped in a chair, her arm in a sling, waiting to have an X-ray.
‘Hello, darling,’ he said, crouching down next to her and kissing her pale cheek, careful not to brush against her arm.
She gave her best attempt at a smile, although it barely registered on her drawn face. ‘Hi, Daddy,’ she whispered.
‘You look wiped out, little one. How are you doing?’
‘Not good.’
‘Poor thing.’
He looked over at Maria, who was sitting on the next seat along. ‘Hi. I managed to get away.’
‘So I see.’ She didn’t go as far as thanking him, but she did look pleasantly surprised.
‘Have they given her something for the pain?’ he asked.
Maria nodded.
It was late by the time they finally got Ruby home, her arm in plaster, and they put her straight to bed. That evening was the longest time all three of them had spent together in ages, Dan noted. And there hadn’t been one argument. It almost felt like they were a family again.
‘Night night,’ Maria said, planting a kiss on Ruby’s forehead before leaving Dan to tuck her in.
He knelt at the side of her bed and stroked her hair. ‘How are you feeling, darling?’
‘Tired,’ she whispered.
‘Does your arm still hurt?’
She nodded, fresh tears trickling down her flushed cheeks.
‘Better than before, though?’ Dan asked, wiping the tears away with a thumb.
‘A bit.’
‘Don’t worry: you’ll be back to normal in no time. One of the best things about being a child is that you heal quickly. Anyway, I’d better let you sleep, hadn’t I?’
She reached out with her good arm, eyes anxious. ‘No. Stay.’
‘Okay, love, I will.’ Taking her hand, he leaned over and kissed her on each cheek. ‘But you close your eyes. It’s late and sleep is really important when your body needs to fix itself.’
Moving into a more comfortable seated position, Dan leaned against the side of Ruby’s bed and promised not to leave until she’d nodded off.
Thank goodness she’s all right, he thought, his heart swelling with the love he felt for his precious daughter.
As he sat there, silent in the dark bedroom, Dan’s eyes grew heavy.
Next thing he knew, he was woken by a gentle tap on his shoulder. He turned to see Maria holding a finger to her lips. ‘Come on,’ she whispered, signalling for him to follow her out of the room.
Once on the landing, he asked: ‘How long was I—’
‘Only a few minutes.’
‘Sorry. She wanted me to stay until she fell asleep.’
‘Don’t worry. Listen, I’m going to get changed. Fancy a drink before you go? If you’re not too tired.’
Pleasantly