I was grateful for that. I didn’t think our conversation had eased any of the conflict my father was feeling right now, but I was glad to see that he was conflicted. At least it meant he cared.

I was about to leave when he stopped me by speaking again.

“I’m glad you and Ruby got back together.” He smiled. “I was really worried about you when you two broke up.”

I frowned. “Why were you worried? I acted completely normal. Not like with Hannah. I wasn’t crying all around the place and not getting out of bed and all that stuff.”

“Exactly. It was freaky. I was afraid you were going to end up like me. Burying all your feelings. But I can see now that you’re not like that at all.”

“What do you mean?”

“You’re able to talk about your feelings, even when it’s difficult. Even if the talking is sometimes shouting.” He smiled at me again. “How’d you grow up with so much emotional intelligence when you have a dad like me?”

“I guess I get that from my mum.”

37.

The ceremony was mercifully quick, due to the downpour of rain. Dad and Beth had insisted on having it outside. The heat wave through the summer had lured them into thinking they were safe from the changeable Irish weather. We retreated to the shelter of the marquee as quickly as possible. They looked happy, though, and I wanted to be happy for them. I was happy for them. Mostly.

When it was all over I found Ruby sitting with Izzy and Hannah. They were laughing when I threw myself into a chair beside them.

Ruby kissed my cheek. She looked incredible in a teal dress with a many-layered skirt, a (fake) ruby necklace, and a string of red beads wrapped around her hair like a headband, and I admit the lavender monstrosity actually looked pretty good on me too. I snapped a photo of the three of them together. How often in my life would my girlfriend and my ex-girlfriend be sitting at the same table? It was worth remembering.

“Where’s Oliver?” I asked.

Hannah answered, “I saw him shifting someone in a bush somewhere.”

“I was explaining Morris,” Ruby said, nodding in the direction of the bar, where he was sipping a glass of champagne.

“Yeah, explain to me why you invited a random old man?” Izzy asked.

“It does seem out of character,” Hannah added.

“What can I say, she’s made me soft.” I patted Ruby on the knee. “Besides, he’s fun. I thought he’d appreciate the opportunity to try and crack on with some of the older ladies at a wedding.” Personally I was rooting for him and Beth’s aunt to get it on.