The Choice. Kerry Barnes

We are grown women.’

      ‘He came into the bedroom last night and must have assumed we were asleep. He removed my glasses and put them on the side. I would quite like to have a real father who cares, even when I’m fifty years old. It would be kind of nice, don’t you think?’

      Poppy looked at her twin sister’s sweet, childlike expression and felt sorry for her. The poor girl had been to hell and back. The rape must have been horrendous, so she could see why Brooke would want a strong man to make her feel safe and loved.

      ‘Yes, Brooke, you’re right. But I think, from the sound of things, we have more pressing issues, like understanding why we need to leave the bloody country. Lance has gone to the house to collect our passports. It’s all happening rather too fast for me to get my head around it all.’

      Brooke placed the album back inside the drawer and joined her sister. ‘We will have Arty and Liam with us.’

      Poppy smiled. ‘I guess that’s a bonus, then.’

      By the time Lance arrived back home, he looked worried and had no time for any girlie dramas. He pushed the door open and marched into the dining room, ready to act like a sergeant major and kickstart the girls into gear.

      ‘Right, this is what’s going to happen. Firstly—’

      Brooke stopped him in his tracks. She rose from her chair and stood in front of him, with her hands up, signifying that she had something to say.

      He tilted his head and took a breath. Poppy noticed how his stern features softened as soon as Brooke was in his face. It was at that moment she wondered if Brooke was right about them being related.

      ‘Lance, may I ask you something very personal?’ said Brooke, in her sweetest voice.

      Lance appeared to blush slightly, and a gentle smile crept across his face. ‘Um, like what?’

      The huge serious-minded man seemed to have shifted personalities, which made Poppy want to laugh.

      Brooke stepped back. ‘I know you said not to be nosey, but I did find an album …’ She paused, waiting for a reaction. Either he will go ballistic or remain with that soft expression, she thought.

      Luckily for her, he chose the latter option. She took a deep breath, glanced back at her sister, and then asked outright, ‘Lance, are you our father?’

      Poppy looked down, embarrassed, wishing the floor would swallow her up.

      However, Brooke stared directly into his eyes. It was most unlike her. She was the shy one – normally.

      His huge, broad shoulders relaxed, and he took a seat at the table. ‘Only a DNA can confirm it either way.’

      ‘I can sense a “but” in there, Lance,’ said Brooke, eager for him to continue, as she too sat down at the table.

      He looked from one girl to the other. ‘You could be. I believe your mother lied about your due dates, and you both look so much like my sister. She had the same eyes, and I’ve no need to tell you that, if you’ve been looking through the album.’

      Brooke looked at Poppy’s gaping mouth and grasped her sister’s hand. This was so unbelievable.

      ‘So, what will all this mean, Lance? I mean, like, between us?’

      Lance unexpectedly grabbed her hand. ‘I don’t know, Brooke, but what I do know is this. I lost Kendall, although she actually wasn’t my own flesh and blood. I discovered that eventually. But I loved her all the same. I hate to say this, but your mother wasn’t as sweet and innocent as she made out. And, by the way, I heard she’s been arrested for running you down, Poppy. Nevertheless, I need you two as far away as possible because something pretty serious has happened. I don’t want you both in the way. Luckily, I managed to find your passports.’

      Brooke knew he had changed the subject deliberately, but like a dog with a bone, she pressed him again. ‘Lance, please, before we go, what do you want to do? I mean, a DNA or …?’

      Lance smiled and shook his head. ‘The truth is …’

      Poppy suddenly noticed his little finger was bent. Her heart raced as she looked at her own and then at Brooke’s. They all had the same condition. Without rationalizing it first, she blurted out, ‘Lance, you are our father. I know that now for a fact.’

      Lance frowned. ‘How?’

      Poppy slid her trembling hand across the table and tapped his crooked finger. ‘Look! We have the same condition. It’s hereditary, so I think we can safely say that you’re our father.’

      Brooke was suddenly beaming with excitement. ‘Oh my God, you’re our dad, our real dad, then!’

      Totally out of the blue, Brooke leaped from her seat and flung her arms around his neck. ‘I knew it, I just knew it.’ Her excitement brought tears to her eyes.

      It suddenly hit Lance that it was one thing saying they were his daughters, but it was quite another dealing with the emotion and now the responsibility. However, he was unexpectedly gripped by a warm feeling – a new sensation. His years of combat had made him cold and heartless, but the look on his girls’ faces stirred another emotion.

      Out of character, he turned to Poppy and held out his arms for her to do the same. She hesitated at first, but once those huge arms pulled her into his chest, she also felt a great comfort.

      The revelations and reactions from the trio were halted as Arty and Liam entered the room. Arty looked a little uncomfortable, almost sheepish, since Lance was such a big, stern man, and his expression gave nothing away.

      ‘My dad called. I think we’re going to Spain … all of us.’

      Lance straightened up and nodded. ‘Yeah, that’s right. We just need you guys to be away until we get something sorted out. I know, Arty, that it’s not your responsibility to look out for my girls but …’

      ‘Lance, we will anyway, take my word. We’ll look after them.’

      Liam pushed his way into the room. ‘Yeah, mate, we’ll take care of ’em.’ Then he looked over at Poppy and winked.

      Lance rolled his eyes. ‘Christ, you’re so much like your father, Liam. What I mean is, make sure no harm comes to them.’

      Liam was nodding as if his head would fall off. ‘I know what you mean, Lance. But I ain’t what you think. I wouldn’t take advantage, would I, Arty? I ain’t like that.’

      ‘He’s right, Lance. We’ve been brought up to be respectful.’

      ‘Sorry, lads. Yeah, I know your fathers, and I know if you’re half the men they are, then my girls are in safe hands.’

      A car horn sounded.

      ‘Willie’s here already. Right, lads, you go with him, and I’ll take the girls. We’ll meet you at the airport in an hour.’

      Liam wasted no time in kissing Poppy on the forehead, and Arty kissed Brooke on the cheek.

      Once they were out of sight, Lance turned to his daughters. ‘So I guess they will look after you then? Do I detect more than a friendship going on?’

      Poppy blushed. ‘No, Lan … I mean, do we call you … I mean, can we call you Dad?’

      Lance squeezed her shoulder. ‘Baby, you can call me whatever you like, but Dad sounds good.’

      She blushed again. ‘Dad, we are just friends, for now. They are good men. I feel safe with them.’

      He chuckled. ‘A bit different, I guess, from your mother’s friends.’

      Brooke laughed. ‘Worlds apart, Dad. But you know what? I hated Mother’s way of life. It was so stilted and cold, and as for Alastair, well, he was like a passing shadow. I always wondered why he wasn’t like my friends’ fathers. Still, I am sure he won’t miss us.’

      Lance