Sweetheart!’ Dad twisted round in his chair and pulled her into a hug. ‘How are you, precious girl? Crikey, I’ve missed you! C’mere and give me a cuddle.’ Eloise threw her arms around him. He did care after all. He’d come early to surprise her. He was the best dad in the world. Then, looking over the top of Dad’s curly head, she saw a strange woman perched on the edge of Mo’s hard green nubbly couch. Her blonde hair was brushed carefully to frame her face, which was as stiff and shiny as a mask. Her puffed-out lips half-smiled, but her eyes didn’t. She wore a grey business suit, high heels and pale pink nail polish, and she held her champagne glass with the very tips of her fingers. Several bottles of champagne sat on the coffee table. ‘Lorelei, this is my darling daughter, Eloise,’ said Dad, squeezing Eloise so tightly round the waist she could hardly breathe. He said solemnly, ‘Eloquence, I’d like you to meet a very important person. This is Lorelei Swan.’ ‘Hi,’ said the woman coolly.
