I turned the bike around for Kadee ready to take on another length of the driveway. Derek had disappeared into the house, he’d seemed fairly agitated and distracted by the call. But now here we were, me and Kadee. Maybe this was a good chance to make a decent impression. I wanted to make a difference in this cycling venture, it would obviously mean a great deal to Derek.

“How would you like to really impress your dad with your riding, Kadee?”

“Yes, please.”

“Okay, here’s what we need to do.” I helped her off the bike carefully and wheeled it back toward the garage. ”Your daddy is going to be so happy and proud of you. Now all we have to do is take off those awkward pads. They’re only getting in the way and throwing off your balance.”

As Kadee gratefully peeled off her over the top projection, I set about removing one of the quick release training wheels. Kadee looked nervously back at the house.

“Are you sure this is okay, Georgie?”

“You’re perfect with just the helmet and gloves, I promise. This is how I learned,” I reassured her.

She studied me for a moment and then gave a single nod.

“Now, you only have a training wheel on the left so if you feel yourself falling over this way,” I said as I waved over to my house, “you lean back toward your house, to regain your balance okay? Keep the handle bars nice and straight.”

Kadee nodded again thoughtfully and agreed. Then clambered back on, raring to give it a go, as I held the bike steady.

“Now if you think you’re going to fall, you just get to high five the ground right. Well perhaps a low five.” I held out my palm flat for Kadee to hit it.

“High five!” she said, slapping my palm.

“That’s it girl.” I stepped back a few feet from the bike. “Now I want you to peddle to me.”

With a look of absolute concentration she wobbled forward, pausing to lean at times. I took another small step backward as she advanced.

“There we go, you’re doing great. You’re an absolute natural!”

Kadee's grin broadened as she wobbled forward just a little faster. After a couple of lengths of the driveway her confidence was growing quickly. She no longer needed any help turning the bike around and remounting, I only needed to stand by, offering encouragement.

“What we can do soon is switch over the training wheels to practice the other side,” I explained as she make ready for another length.

We had just set off again when Derek appeared from the house, with one look he called out loudly.

“Kadee, what are you doing?” He rushed across the lawn to us.

“Look Daddy, it’s easy!” Kadee shouted as she accelerated.

“What on earth are you playing at?” Derek directed at me as he drew near. I halted in my steps taken back by his tone. “I step away for a moment and you—”

“Just wait. Trust me,” I said, keeping my eyes on Kadee. “She’s doing great, look,” I added in my defense, gesturing to Kadee who was advancing quickly along the driveway.

Derek was still moving after her, but with a little less urgency than he had at first. He watched her as he slowed.

“See Daddy, can you see?” she yelled from up ahead.

“Yes, baby. You look great. But be careful.”

As if his words had tempted fate Kadee’s front wheel snagged on a small divot causing the handlebars to angle to the side and she tumbled onto the driveway. She landed with a small squeal, slapping her palms down to steady her fall. Just liked I’d shown her.

“Kadee!” Derek screamed, launching off after her again. I half wanted to hold him back, but he was already gone when I reached out.

Luckily however, by the time he arrived by her side she had already straightened the bike and was almost back on.

“Are you okay? Are you hurt? Kadee, sweetie?” he asked kneeling beside her, checking over inch of her little body.

“I’m okay. It was just a low five,” she said to his bewilderment. “I think I bumped my elbow though.”

“Let me see.”

Kadee held up her elbow for him to inspect.

“Oh well, that’s just a little boo-boo. You’re such a brave girl. I’ll go get a Band—”

“No, Daddy, it’s just a boo-boo,” Kadee reiterated adorably. “Kiss it better instead.”

Like any dutiful father he followed his daughter’s instruction and kissed her elbow sweetly.

“Daddy can we switch the training wheels now?”

“I suppose we could. You look like you’re getting the hang of it.”

“Georgie is a good teacher.”

“Yeah… seems she is good at a lot of things,” agreed Derek looking up at me. His tone warm and endearing again.

“Maybe we should take her out to dinner, to thank her. Shouldn't we?”

“Erm, what?” Derek hesitated, with this out of the blue suggestion, “Well, we don’t know if she’s busy honey. Georgie has a life of her own you know?”

I stood there amused as his little devious and yet totally adorable child threw him on the spot. Practically playing matchmaker. Then I butted into the conversation to rescue him… or add fuel to the flames, depending on your perspective.

“I’m not busy, I was taking the day off anyway. I really need to recharge after the move.”

“So you’ll come to dinner with us, Georgie?” Kadee asked, hands already on the handlebars raring to go again.

“Only if your dad—“

“Come out with us tonight?” he said, meeting my smile, his tone had a decisive edge to it, and I couldn’t help but glow from the inside out from what this could mean. “There is a new place in town we could try.”

“I would love to.”

“Though of course you’ll get the two of us again,” he added, gesturing to himself and Kadee.

“A package deal? Well that’s even better. How could I resist?”

“Yay!” came Kadee’s squeal and we both laughed as she peddled off up the driveway.