“I’m not keen on him,” Jim admitted, looking at the young man Olivia had brought home with her.
“Why not?” asked Annabel.
“He’s too old.”
“He’s in his early twenties.”
“Yes, but Olivia is still a teenager.”
“Don’t spoil it for her. Not on her birthday.”
“What’s his name again?”
“Ryan. Ryan Jones.”
“Welsh?”
“Why don’t you ask him?”
“No thanks, Oh look, he’s going to the toilet. I’m going to talk to my daughter while he’s away.”
Annabel rolled her eyes.
“Hello darling, are you having a nice birthday?” Jim asked, approaching Olivia.
“You don’t have to go to Newcastle, you know,” Olivia complained.
“Have you been speaking to your mother?”
“Why do you have to go?”
“I need a job,” Jim insisted. “Your mother could come with me.”
“Why would she? After she spent so long trying to g
