TOYL

father.

    ***

    Lizzy was halfway through the matinee performance when she noticed the man in the audience. He was in an end seat, towards the middle of the stalls. It was really difficult to get a clear view of him – the audience was mostly in darkness, and she had to concentrate on performing – but from the stolen glances he looked familiar. She just couldn’t place where she had seen him before.
    The freaky thing was that whenever she did look over, he seemed to be focussing solely on her. It made her feel uncomfortable, and when she saw him rise from the seat and head down the aisle she hoped he wouldn’t come back.
    He didn’t return, but she was still unnerved as she returned to the dressing room after the performance. She was also annoyed that she couldn’t remember who the man had reminded her of.
    She spent most of the hurried journey back to the flat looking over her shoulder, trying to pick out the man in the crowds. But she didn’t see him. She was nearing the flat when she suddenly remembered who the man had resembled.
    It couldn’t be, could it?
    She picked up the pace – there was something she needed to check out. Then she would call Emma with the news.

56

    Edward had just knocked back his second whiskey when the doorbell rang. At first he let it go, but remembering Miranda was out he made his way to answer it.
    ‘Hi, you must be Edward,’ said the man at the door, holding out his hand and smiling. ‘Is Miranda there?’ He lowered his hand, while Edward’s hands remained clasped around the doorframe.
    ‘She’s out,’ Edward replied, trying to think who this guy could be. He didn’t look familiar.
    ‘It’s just that we arranged to meet.’
    ‘Who are you?’ Edward checked himself. ‘I’m sorry, I don’t mean to be rude. You’re a friend of Miranda?’
    ‘Uncle.’ He smiled. ‘She forgot to tell you I was coming?’
    ‘She hasn’t mentioned anything.’
    ‘Same old Miranda, never was the best at remembering things. I imagine the pregnancy is playing havoc with her memory too.’
    ‘It is,’ said Edward, relaxing a little. ‘So you’re her…’
    ‘Dad’s brother.’
    ‘Right,’ Edward said.
    Miranda had never spoken much of her family. It wasn’t surprising, seeing as though her parents had as good as disowned her for moving in with him.
    ‘I’ll give Miranda a call sometime,’ said the man, backing away from the door. ‘Let her know that I was here, will you?’
    ‘Hang on,’ Edward said. ‘She’ll be back in a minute – she’s only gone to the shops. You can wait in here if you like.’

    ***

    ‘It’s good to finally meet you,’ the man said, stretching back on the sofa. ‘Miranda has told me a lot about you.’
    ‘She has?’ Edward said, sitting in the opposite chair.
    ‘You seem surprised.’
    ‘I am,’ Edward admitted. ‘I didn’t realise she spoke to her family about me.’
    ‘Oh, I know more about you than you’d imagine,’ the man said, now glancing around the room in a way that set Edward’s suspicions on alert.
    ‘You sure you don’t want a drink?’ Edward asked. ‘I can do alcohol – beer, wine, spirits?’
    ‘Better not,’ replied the man, still looking around the room. ‘I’m driving.’
    ‘Miranda should be back any minute.’ Edward looked at his watch. Or at least he hoped she would be back soon – he didn’t think he could take much more of being in this guy’s company.
    ‘Sorry to hear about your recent troubles,’ the man said, his attention suddenly switching back to Edward.
    ‘Troubles?’
    ‘It must be very hard for Emma.’
    ‘What are you talking about?’ Edward replied, feeling more uncomfortable by the second.
    ‘Emma. It must be difficult dealing with all those troubles – her fiancé disappearing like that, just before they were due to get married.’
    ‘Miranda told you about that, did she?’
    ‘And now her ex-boyfriend has committed suicide hasn’t he – Stuart,’ said the man, evading the question. ‘Must be really hard for her to deal with.’
    ‘How do you know about Stuart?’
    ‘Haven’t you seen today’s newspapers?’ said the man incredulously. ‘The story is in a few of them.’
    ‘Emma will be okay.’ Edward wondered what exactly the newspapers had said and whether Emma had seen them herself. ‘We’ll look after her.’
    ‘It’s lucky she’s got her family around her for support.’ The man smiled strangely.
    ‘What is it?’ Edward asked, his anger