The Only Exception | W2S

TWENTY THREE.

"It's very nice to finally meet you, George," my Dad says, despite already having an introduction - regardless of how brief. "Holly's talked about you nonstop," he adds on, clearly not receiving the glare I'd tried to shoot him. 

George looks over at me with a grin on his face, and only because I'm in front of my father I don't smack him on the arm. 

"Has she really?"

Dad smiles warmly, and my frustration dissolves. "You've been her saving grace, I'll tell you that. And - man to man - do you mind if I give you a hug?" He asks, and even this catches me off guard. 

George, too, looks a little startled, but resumes his composure almost immediately. "Course, Sir," he responds politely. 

"No need to call me sir. Pete will do," he answers, before bringing George in for a hug. 

Just - and only just, do I hear him utter the words, "thank you for looking after my girl."

"Dad!" I protest, only earning myself a look. 

"I'm being serious! You talk of him so highly - am I not allowed to thank my baby girl's friends?" He asks, and now I know he's deliberately winding me up, especially calling me baby girl in front of my friends. 

"Yeah, Holly. Show some respect," George says lightly, and once again I have to bite down on the urge to mutter out a fuck you to him. 

Whilst him and my dad continue to talk, Arthur comes bounding back over. 

"I have never met anyone so interested in plants as your sister," he tells me, looking incredibly overjoyed. 

"Yes, she is a big plant nerd that one," I grin, looking over where Jess is still carefully inspecting Arthur's plants. 

"She seems nice," he continues to say, and I look at hi strangely for a moment, before I fully catch on to what's happening. 

"No, Arthur. No!" I tell him, albeit in a hushed voice because my dad is metres away. 

"What?!" He asks, sounding way too innocent. 

"What about Shannon's friend?" I ask, raising my eyebrow. His cheeks tinge pink at the mention, and for a millisecond I feel bad, but it leaves pretty quickly. 

"She - uh, she's - it's a no go. And besides, I didn't actually say anything about your sister -" he continues, before I stop him.  

"Yeah, but I know you. She's my sister, so hands off," I warn him, although I doubt my warning will do anything, especially if he puts his mind to it. 

I push it to the back of my mind, the plan where everything I table for later goes, whilst also making a mental note to speak to Jess before she goes. 

I'm brought out of my head by the feeling of Henry's fur brushing around my ankles, and crouch down to properly greet him. 

"Oh hi, baby boy. Oh, yes. I missed you! So, so much. Such a sweet pea, aren't you," I coo, ruffling his fur, well aware that everyone was watching and smiling. "Did you enjoy those treats Hattie got you? Did you?" 

Everyone is settled down on the sofa, before Jess gets up without a word, wandering towards my room. My Mum shoots me a look, which I interpret means to go and talk to her, so I too, get up and wordlessly head towards my room. 

"Wanna come and have a look?" I ask, standing outside of my door, catching her attention, from where she'd been looking at some artwork on the walls. 

"Course I do," she smiles, following me into my room.