‘Of course we want you and Sky to be together,’ my grandmother says. ‘But this seems impulsive, that’s all. I was just saying to Sky that next time we can all be together in Chicago. Maybe our fall, her spring vacation?’

‘Mom, you once told me I have a tendency to shut down when things get hard, too emotional. It cost me my marriage and it cost me sixteen years with my daughter … But not anymore. I’m here now, looking at my beautiful Sky, and knowing that this is the right thing to do. I should never have left her so easily. Never. I can’t turn back time, but I can pause it for a while to spend time with her. Impulsive is exactly what’s needed right now. And I’ve shown Sky my favourite place in the world—now it’s her turn to show me hers.’

‘Well … I suppose you have a point, honey,’ my grandmother concedes. ‘Don’t you agree, Mike?’

He grunts in mild agreement.

‘I have just over two hours to cancel the flight without a penalty.’ My dad looks at his wristwatch. ‘So, what do you think, Sky?’

Finally I have a chance to say what I want. But what is it? My head is starting to work again, and what I’m thinking is … Yes, I want to hang out with him properly, no secrets, no dramas and no Jaxon between us. My time with my dad doesn’t have to be over.

‘I think, yes.’

It’s almost a miracle.

Chapter 24

Chapter 24

‘Do planes get cancelled if it’s too cold?’ I ask my dad as we get out of his car.

‘This isn’t the North Pole,’ he says. ‘It should be fine.’

You’d fool me. I’m shivering without my snowsuit, and by the time we get into the terminal my nose is burning as usual. I’d be lying if I said I was going to miss my iced eyelashes.

I love that my dad is coming with me, though I am struggling a little to visualise my West Creek life with him in the scene. My two different worlds hitting each other—will they collide or combine?

This morning we said goodbye to my grandparents, who are flying later. They’ll close up my dad’s house and leave the key with an agent—it will likely stand empty for a while. Mike was in a better mood, having relaxed into the idea of my dad leaving, and Miriam looked sad. We vowed to keep in touch regularly and make plans to see each other again soon. Europe, Chicago, Australia … everything’s on the table. Exciting.

While we’re waiting in line to check in our bags, I see a text from Lucy.

He said yes! We’re seeing each other tonight at the movies!

Amazing! I told you so.

Knew you’d say that. What should I wear? Hold on …