Dangerous Affection

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Maisie

Maisie squealed and ran ahead of her dad out of the cinema.

He was pretending to be a giant robot again and people were staring. She wanted to die with embarrassment, but at the same time, it was so funny!

She yelped with pleasure as he caught up with her and captured her in his arms from behind. He started talking in that weird robot voice he did, and he was so loud, everyone could hear!

‘NOW YOU MUST BE TICKLED TO DEATH!’

‘Dad, please,’ she gasped, struggling for breath now. ‘Stop.’

‘Sorry, poppet.’ His arms quickly fell away and he produced her inhaler from his pocket. ‘I’m an idiot. I shouldn’t have tickled you.’

She pressed and breathed in deeply a couple of times.

‘I’m fine now.’ She grinned, handing the inhaler back to him. ‘And before you ask… I won’t tell Mum.’

‘Phew.’ He wiped his forehead dramatically. ‘I reckon I’m in enough bother with her as it is.’

They’d had a great time watching the film. They had laughed, Maisie had cried at a sad bit, and her dad had laughed at that too. They’d eaten too much popcorn and drunk too much fizzy pop. It had been brilliant.

‘Next stop: the milkshake parlour.’

‘Really?’ Maisie’s heart soared. She’d assumed her dad would drive her straight back home after the film because it was a school day tomorrow.

‘Another hour out won’t hurt, and besides, I have a surprise for you.’

‘What is it?’ She stuffed her knuckles in her mouth with the pure anticipation.

‘You’ll see.’ He pushed open the door to the parlour and let Maisie walk in first. ‘Ta-dah! Well, look who’s here.’

‘Hello, Maisie, how nice to see you again,’ Joanne said.

She and Piper were sitting at a table for four next to the window.

‘Hello,’ Maisie said, looking up at her dad.

‘I thought it would be nice for us all to meet up for a milkshake after we had such a lovely day yesterday.’ Her dad winked at her.

Maisie nodded and forced a smile. Piper had her head down, tapping away on a mini iPad, playing some sort of game.

‘Piper. Say hi to Maisie.’ Joanne nudged her.

‘Hi,’ Piper mumbled without looking away from her game.

Joanne stood up. ‘We’ll get the shakes in while you girls catch up here. Strawberry or banana, Maisie?’

‘Strawberry, please,’ Maisie said in a small voice.

There was a short queue at the counter and Maisie watched as her dad and Joanne joined it. He slid his arm around her waist and she turned her face up to kiss him. Just like her Mum used to do, a long time ago now.

She glanced across at Piper’s game. Remembered what Miss Diane always told them about making conversation with new students at the dance school to make them feel welcome.

‘I like Candy Crush,’ she said. ‘What level have you got to?’

‘Don’t speak to me while I’m playing!’ Piper snapped, and then groaned. She tossed the iPad down on the table and covered her face. ‘You made me go wrong. Idiot.’