Cynthia arrived at the Dakota Buildings wondering why John had rang her and asked her to come all the way to America to meet him. She stepped up to his apartment door and knocked on it and was shocked to see a very sad looking John answer
" Hello John"
" hi Cyn come in"
John lead Cynthia towards the living room and they sat down opposite each other
" Where's Beth?"
" May has taken her out for some ice cream"
' who is May?"
" well she is the Secretary here but her and Beth have really connected and well she has turned into another friend for Beth?"
" so she has Friends here then i was worried in case she was lonely"
" no she has friends there is a couple who we have known since we moved here they have 2 kids a boy and a girl who are around the same age as Beth and they often call over here to play"
" well im glad to know she is so settled i miss her"
" yeah she has really settled here it was hard for her at the start because she was missing the boys you know but they have came and visited her so she was thrilled you know how much she loves her Paulie"
" John i do hope that you have not made me travel the whole way over here to brag to me about how great family life is for you"
" no i made you come here so you can take Beth home with you" John said tears visible in his chocolate coloured eyes
" what do you mean it? why are you doing this? you told me you were going to fight me"
" well the farther she is away from me the better. i do not want to hurt her and for her to end up hating me"
Cynthia could see how upset John was and she could tell that they both must have bonded so much over the time they spent together for him to get this devastated
" oh my god i can't believe this thank you so much John you have no idea how much i have missed her"
" no i don't but i have a feeling that when you take her away i will understand how you feel"
John and Cynthia spent the next half hour talking and he informed her that she could take her back to England with her
suddenly the front door opened and May walked in holding Beth's hand
" daddy daddy i had ice cream"
Beth looked at the lady and shouted
" Mummy your all better again"
Beth ran over and hugged Cynthia tight
" oh i missed you little chicken "
" i missed you to mummy i have grew and i lost a tooth you see" she said pulling her mouth to the side to show her mum the hole where her tooth used to be
" why look at you all grown up"
" yes daddy says im his little lady and he can plait my hair now mummy and he sings you know "
" it sounds like you have had a great time with daddy"
" i have mummy he's alot fun he chases me" Beth looked at her mum and leaned closer to her ear and whispered
" he is not good at hide o seek but don't tell him"
John giggled at Beth and it hurt his heart more to know he will miss her so much
" ill not tell him sweetie but i have exciting news for you"
" oh oh oh what is it?" Beth squealed
" we are going home" Cynthia told her smiling
" your silly mummy i am home" Beth laughed and John smiled
" no i mean your home in England"
Beth face scrunched up and John knew she was thinking hard
" is daddy coming with us mummy"
" no darling he is staying here"
" then why do i have to leave"
" well i am all better now so you can come home again"
" but i don't want to leave daddy" Beth said her voice trembling and her eyes threatening to cry
" but daddy has to stay here"
" then i want to stay here"
" you have to come home with me chicken your stuff is packed up ready to go"
" no i want to stay with daddy"
Beth ran straight to John and he scooped her up in his arms and held her close"
" you have to go with your mummy she has not seen you in so long and she missed you so you go with your mummy and have fun ok kitten?"
" don't you want me here no more" Beth cried looking into her daddy's eyes which were just the same as hers
" of course i want you here kitten but i have had you here for such a long time and its mummy's turn to see you and to have fun with you plus she is better at hide o seek than i am"
" but i don't want to leave you daddy" she cried snuggling her head into the crook of John's neck
" its only for a little time you will come back to visit us again wont that be alot of fun"
Cynthia looked on at the scene unfolding in front of her and tears filled her eyes she could see how much love they both had for each other and how much they were upset about having to leave each other
" now you go with mummy and i will call you tomorrow on the phone kitten ok" john said crying unable to contain them a minute longer
" i love you daddy"
" i love you to kitten more than you know"
Cynthia went over to them and grabbed Beth off John and picked up Beth's little case and left John standing completely devastated never once taking his eyes of his daughter that was being taken away from him.
