The weekend at the beach seems like a distant memory after a few days back at work. It’s always busy this time of the year; we’re spread thinly with a lot of the staff taking leave over the school holidays. I’m just on my way out of the office when I bump into Dad coming back in from a meeting. He’s eating the last bit of what looks like a bacon roll but he quickly tries to hide it, shoving the rest in his mouth.

‘Good meeting?’ I ask.

‘Uh-huh, yes,’ he mumbles through his mouthful.

‘I’m just heading off for the Big Little Readers.’

‘Good, good. Listen, I’m glad I caught you, you’ve been hard to pin down. You haven’t popped round lately.’

‘I know, I’m sorry. It’s been so busy, what with volunteering and the improv group. Aaron and Yas have been trying to coach me some nights after work, and between that and watching the other battles …’

I feel a bit guilty because it’s not just that I’ve been busy. Dad’s been spending a lot of time with Julie and whilst I did think she was really nice, I’m having a harder time adjusting to it than I expected to.

‘I heard they’d roped you into the improv. Julie and I will have to come and watch you sometime.’

‘That would be great.’

‘Speaking of Julie, her niece is getting married in September. It’s our first official function as a couple.’

‘Nice,’ I say, tucking my hair behind my ear and trying to force a smile on my face.

‘Yeah, we’re both excited. I wondered if you could help with the outfit shopping?’

‘Oh, right.’ I take in his fluorescent pink tie with mini palm trees dotted over it and I think that it might not be a bad idea. ‘We can’t have you wearing one of those kinds of ties, now can we?’

‘Oh, actually, I meant for you to go shopping with Julie. She was saying to me recently how she’s jealous that a lot of her friends have grown-up daughters to go shopping with and I just thought it might be nice if she could borrow you.’ He raises his shoulders. ‘And it might be a nice way for you two to get to know each other.’

‘Oh, um, OK, if we can find a time. Miles and I have got plans this weekend, and then the next weekend we’re off to stay at Hartland’s with Soph and everyone.’

‘Well, it’s not until the end of September, so hopefully you can fit it in.’ I can tell he’s disappointed but I’m worried if I tell him what’s going on in my head he wouldn’t understand. ‘I’ll give her your number and you can sort it out.’