It felt odd, being called ‘da’ by this almost stranger, even if that was what he had requested. Not in a bad way. In a way he felt pleased. From their short interaction, he had already understood that he had misjudged her previous actions. Her hiding and silence seemed the result of timidity, rather than snobbery. Indeed, she behaved very civilly, in a genuine sort of way, kindly. Although they were born worlds apart, she might in time come to feel like a real daughter to him, and the word and the warmth it evoked held that promise.

Didn’t mean he was done grumbling at Joe…

When he had found the forks and had handed her one, he sat down and began to eat. When she spoke again, he paused for a moment and looked down at the food gravely, not responding to her next, lighter comment. “Aye, ‘e’s a good lad…” he said slowly. “But ‘e’s rash and doesn’t use ‘is ‘ead when ‘e should. ‘E should ‘ave done right by ye. And I’m sorry ‘e didn’t.”