NINA

“NINA”
by
Gail Holmes


“For God’s sake Nina! He’s in the garden shed; leave the poor man alone, your perpetually wanting this or that. I don’t know why he gives into you all the time?”

Nina sauntered slowly to the bottom of the garden she could see her father working through the small glass window. Knowing this would be asking a lot, hoping that she’d still be able to wind him around her finger, as she normally did.

“Hi Dad!”

“Nina…I thought you’d gone into town?” Eric smiled, stepping away from his workbench, wiping his hands on an old piece of cloth.

“No, thought I’d come down and see if I could help you!”

“That sounds debatable!” Eric laughed. “You’re up to something young lady aren’t you?”

“Why d’you say that Dad!” Nina turned and sat on a stool beside the bench. “What are you making anyway?”

“An ottoman, your mothers been onto me for weeks, if I don’t do it soon, I’m sure I’ll get it in the ear”

“They’re a bit old fashioned aren’t they Dad? Nan has one”

“Doubtless that’s where she got the idea from. So come on what are you after, and what could you possibly do to help me?”

“Why do I have to be after something? I often used to help you!”

“You’ve grown up a bit since then, you mean when you used to clear up wood shavings in the old days, you where knee high to a grasshopper then!” Eric chuckled to himself. “Come on young lady your up to something, I know you of old!” Eric grinned down to her.

Nina had turned 18 just three months ago, she was a lovely girl and her father loved her to bits, Eric was a real proud father, they had two daughters Nina being the oldest then little Amy who was twelve he’d spoilt them both wicked from the word go. Nina had her mother’s good looks, and a stunning figure, with the longest of blonde hair. Eric never did make out how she came by that, there was no strain of blonde in his side of the family.

He worried as most fathers do with teenage daughters, over protective on most occasions, and well she knew it. Frequently she would leave her bedroom door ajar, if only just to goad him as he went by. Nina knew only to well of her pulling power with her good looks and figure, when her parents weren’t around she could be a right prick teaser.

“If anything this would be the hardest thing to get from her father, she hadn’t mentioned it to her mother, she’d have stood no chance should she have had an inkling of Nina’s needs.

“So come on then, what is it this time? You’ll have to come out with it sooner or later; you look fit to bust” Eric never turned as he spoke, more than likely trying to wind her up, he usually did this when she dilly-dallied, with her words.

“You know me only to well Dad, but this is something that’s really essential, I require it for my work!” Nina knew she’d be asking for the earth, it wasn’t really essential for her work. But she recognized it was a way of getting through to him, if he thought she was going to enhance herself, he’d succumb to her desires.

“Out with it!” Eric turned to face her with a broad smile on his face, never had she held back like this.

“It’s a Laptop…Dad, I really do need it!”

“What is a laptop for heavens sake?”

“It’s a computer that you can carry around with you Dad!”

“I thought they we’re big things, how can you carry one of those around with you?”

“That’s why it’s called a laptop Dad, its like a briefcase, it all folds up!”

“So how much is one of these fold up computers then?” Eric placed his hands on his hips and smiled.

“About…Dad, they’re not cheap! But they are necessary ”

“Knowing you, I wouldn’t expect them to be?” Eric chuckled

“Around £1500, give or take a pound here or there!”

“Give or take how much! Nina…Where have I got that sort of money, it doesn’t grow on trees you know?”

“Dad!”

“You’ll get Dad, have you told you’re mother of this?”

“You…you know I couldn’t do that Dad!”

“You couldn’t do what dear?” Ann quizzed as she came to the door of the shed.

“It’s nothing Mum, I was just joking with Dad!”

“I need you to come down town with me dear, I have some shopping to get, I’m sure you don’t disapprove do you Eric? I’m sure you don’t require her, pestering you whilst you’re working?”

“No…that’s okay with me sweetheart, you go…do your bit’s and pieces, I have plenty to do here.

Nina realized that by her father not declaring anything to her mother, at least he was considering her laptop. She appreciated he had the money, but if her mother knew they’d be no chance, she’d have to work he way around him.

The trip to town was exciting, Ann did buy Nina a few bits and pieces then they stopped for a cup of tea with a friend of her mothers. Both weighed down with shopping by the time all was finished.




“Go down and get your father or he’ll be in that shed all night!” Ann informed Nina when they finally got home. “Tell him I’m just putting the kettle on!”

Nina said nothing about the laptop when she spoke to her father when she got to the garden shed.

“I take it that your mother has bought up the town the time you’ve been!” Eric looked at his watch as he spoke. “I suppose you’ve said nothing to her about this laptop of yours?”

“No Dad, but I am willing to do anything should the need be!”

Eric wasn’t too sure of her meaning, never ever has she suggested that she could help in anyway towards getting any of her requirements over time? He did wonder as to significance of her offer.

“I’ll have to put you to the test!” He laughed, following Nina out of the shed towards the house.

Nina realised the implication of her words, but did wonder as to how her father had taken them. She knew from time to time she’d wound him up, well at least she thought she had, if it’s possible for a girl to do that to her father. But would he get her the laptop she considered, it would be worth it.

“Ah, back from your hideaway then, didn’t think I see you till the early hours!” Ann sniggered, knowing how Eric was once he’d set his mind onto doing something. “Come on, sit you down, I’ve brought some nice cakes. Where’s Amy, she should be back from school by now?”

“She gone to stay with her friend, she asked if she could stay over being as it’s the weekend. Told me she’d be back early in the morning so I let her go, It’ll give us a bit of piece and quiet for once! I take it that you got everything you needed?” Eric looked on the kitchen worktop that was smothered with carrier bags.

“Think so!” Ann laughed. “Bumped into Wendy whist we were in town, she asked if I’d go down and see her tonight maybe a game of cards, would you like to come?”

“Heck no! I’ll take a rain check on that one if you don’t mind, I don’t think I could handle her all evening, I’ve never known a woman talk so much. Will you be late?”

“Back about eleven, Wally will drop me off I should think.