Lainey tried to marshal her thoughts into some form of defence, but failed.
‘I have no secrets,’ Tom emphasised. ‘I’ve never kept anything from you, until now, and believe me, I don’t intend making the same mistake again.’
Tears shone in her eyes as she looked at him.
‘These past weeks have been hell,’ he told her. ‘I’ve missed you and needed you so much . . .’
‘I’m here now,’ she whispered. ‘And if Kirsten’s ready to meet me . . .’
Putting a hand to her face, he said, ‘Are you sure?’
‘Of course. She needs us. Are you the only one caring for her? Didn’t you just say she has a sister?’
‘She has a nurse living at the house, and Rosa, her sister, comes as often as she can. Mostly though, Rosa has Julia to stay with her.’
Feeling deeply for the child, Lainey asked, ‘How is Julia coping?’
He turned his head to one side, as he said, ‘That’s probably the hardest part of it all . . . She isn’t . . . Well, she isn’t like other girls her age.’
‘In what way?’
‘You’ll see when you meet her.’
‘I guess what’s important is how she’s responding to you.’
He almost smiled, as he continued to gaze into the distance. ‘Yes, well,’ he replied, seeming slightly disconnected from his words. ‘She’s a sweet girl . . .’
‘Oh Tom,’ she murmured, putting her arms around him. ‘I’ve been such an idiot.’
‘No, I have,’ he insisted, wrapping her tightly to him. ‘What I’ve put us through . . . I haven’t even been here for you while you’ve tried to find out about your family. I know how much it means to you . . .’
‘Actually, less now than I expected,’ she came in gently, ‘and whichever way we look at it, Kirsten’s and Julia’s need was always greater.’
Cupping her face between his hands, he gazed so lovingly into her eyes that she could only wonder how she’d ever allowed herself to doubt him. Not that she imagined her insecurities were at an end, but in that moment there was simply no room for them.
It was a long time before he released her from his kiss, and when he did it was only to look into her eyes again.
‘Go on, say it,’ she whispered.
He smiled, but as he started to speak they heard a scuffle nearby and looked round to find Tierney doing an about turn. ‘Don’t mind me,’ she called out. ‘I’m not here.’
With no small irony, Tom said, ‘Well, at least she didn’t say
gross
.’
‘Doesn’t mean she didn’t think it.’
‘She definitely will if we disappear for a while.’
‘Do we care?’
‘Not really.’
Laughing, Lainey leaned against him as they started inside. ‘Can I take it you’ve already put her straight about Kirsten and Julia?’ she asked.
‘You can.’
‘Which is why she told you to tell me everything. I assume you did.’
‘I did.’
‘So what exactly did she think you’d miss out?’
‘Actually, it was the bit I was about to say when she put in an appearance.’
Lainey’s eyebrows rose questioningly.
‘That I love you,’ he murmured.
Feeling the words coasting magically through her, she said, ‘So you admitted to her that you have trouble saying it?’
‘I’m afraid so, and I’ve regretted it ever since, because I’ve been having lessons all the way here.’
Laughing at the thought of it, Lainey went to take another bottle of wine from the fridge before leading him on through to the bedroom. Of course, there was much more talking to be done, but for now this was far more important.
Though they emerged from the bedroom to take the children to the village for dinner later, and again for breakfast the following morning, they spent the best part of the next twenty-four hours behind closed doors, enjoying their reunion. Apart from treating the time like a second honeymoon, they talked a lot too, and ended up deciding that for Julia’s sake, they should return to England sooner rather than later.
‘What, you mean like tomorrow?’ Tierney asked, when they told her.
‘No, at the weekend, if we can get flights,’ Tom answered, reaching for his coffee. ‘Are you OK with that?’
Tierney shrugged. ‘I guess so. I mean, I don’t suppose you’d let me stay here without you. Although Max is on his way back . . .’
‘Don’t even think it,’ Lainey interrupted. ‘Anyway, I’m getting the impression things aren’t great with you and Skye, so this might be a good way out. Where is she, by the way? Did she come back last night?’
Looking distinctly sniffy, Tierney said, ‘She texted to say she was staying with Zoe, her new best friend, and frankly I hope she stays there, especially if Max is bringing Christie with him.’
Tom’s eyebrows rose as he and Lainey exchanged glances.
Realising her mistake, Tierney jumped in quickly. ‘Forget I said that. It just came out the wrong way.’
‘Is there something going on between Max and Skye?’ Lainey asked bluntly.
‘No, not really,’ Tierney replied, beginning to clear the table. ‘I mean, she’s got a sort of thing about him, but I expect she’s found someone else by now.’
Lainey was still frowning.
‘I hope Max hasn’t been leading her on,’ Tom ventured. ‘He can be a bit full of himself . . .’
‘It wasn’t him, it was her,’ Tierney cut in defensively.
Tom regarded her with interest.
Lainey said, ‘Actually, I find that easy to believe, and so would you if you’d seen the way the girl has carried on since we’ve been here.’
‘Yeah, so don’t start blaming Max, the way you always do,’ Tierney warned her father. ‘He’s been really brilliant lately, hasn’t he, Mum?’
Lainey blinked. ‘Well, yes, if you can call not seeing much of him brilliant. And now we’re on the subject, perhaps you can tell us where the heck he is.’
Tierney rapidly scooped up a pile of plates and carried them inside. ‘You’ll have to ask him,’ she tossed over her shoulder, ‘he never tells me anything.’
Lainey looked at Tom. ‘Did you see him before you left to come here?’
Tom shook his head, and checked his mobile as it rang. ‘I’d better take this,’ he said, his eyes coming to hers.
‘Is it Kirsten?’ she asked.
He nodded, and as he answered the call his tone was so tender that Lainey couldn’t help the flare of jealousy that caught her. ‘Yes, I can talk,’ he said, reaching for Lainey’s hand as though sensing what she was feeling. ‘Mm, pretty hot.’ As he listened he was gazing absently at the view, seeming to see Kirsten’s world rather than the one he was in. Eventually, he said, ‘We can do it whichever way you prefer . . . OK, you think about it. I’ll be back at the weekend . . . Yes, Lainey’s fine about meeting you. Of course Julia too. Is she still at Rosa’s? I see, well, you don’t have to commit to anything now. We’ll speak again later.’
After he’d rung off he sat quietly for a moment, clearly immersed in thought as he toyed with his phone.
‘Are you thinking we should go home before the weekend?’ Lainey asked.
He shook his head. ‘No. She has the nurse there. She’s going to let us know when she feels up to meeting you.’
‘Will we go to her home?’
Tom glanced at Tierney as she came back on to the terrace. ‘That would probably be the best,’ he replied.
‘So what’s Julia like?’ Tierney asked. ‘Do you have any photos?’
Tom was eyeing her carefully. ‘I don’t, but I guess I should have,’ he told her.
Though Tierney was doing her best to hide it, Lainey knew she was jealous.
‘Is she pretty?’ Tierney wanted to know.
He cocked an eyebrow. ‘I think she is, yes, but I’m not getting into who’s the prettiest, you or her. All I’m going to say is you’re very different, and I hope very much that you’re going to get along.’
Tierney wasn’t looking thrilled. ‘So is she like, into the same kind of stuff as me?’
Seeming to find that amusing, Tom said, ‘As I’ve no idea what you’re into, my darling, I can’t even begin to answer that.’
‘I mean, like the same sort of music, and fashion, and stuff.’
‘Tell you what,’ he said, bracing himself as Zav came bounding across the lawn towards him, ‘why don’t we let her answer for herself,’ and catching Zav over his shoulder he wrestled him to the ground.
‘I thought you were coming down to the pool,’ Zav complained. ‘We’ve got the boat all blown up ready. It’s hilaire trying to get into it.’ His eyes sparked with mischief as he looked up at Lainey. ‘I reckon we should get Mum to try.’
‘What’s so funny about watching me make a fool of myself?’ Lainey protested. ‘Get Dad to do it.’
‘That would be even funnier,’ Tierney decided. ‘Come on, let’s do it.’
‘Hang on, hang on,’ Tom protested, as they tried to drag him off. ‘I’m still waiting to find out if we’re going to see your great-grandparents today.’
‘If you go,’ Tierney said, tossing back her hair, ‘I want to come too so I can tell that evil old bag, Melvina, exactly what I think of her.’
‘She probably won’t understand you,’ Lainey replied.
‘And besides, you’re not coming,’ Tom informed her.
‘You are so dictatorial,’ Tierney protested. ‘What if Mum wants me to come?’
‘I don’t,’ Lainey assured her.
‘So who’s going to stay and look after us?’ Zav wanted to know.
‘Tierney’s sixteen now,’ Tom reminded him. ‘She can be in charge.’
‘No way!’ he cried. ‘I’m not being bossed around by her.’
‘Actually,’ Lainey said, ‘I don’t think it’s a good idea just to drop in on Aldo before we leave at the weekend. I should give him some time to consider whether or not he wants to meet me, and if he does, I can’t just rush off again. It wouldn’t seem right.’ She was looking at Tom.
‘It has to be your decision,’ he told her, ‘but I agree, I think you should allow more than a few days to do it. We can always come back at a later date, when we can spend more time getting to know him.’
‘If he’s still alive,’ Tierney piped up. ‘And if it’s what he wants.’
Lainey’s reply was drowned by the sound of a horn blasting through the peaceful afternoon. ‘That can only be Max,’ she commented drily.
‘Yay!’ Zav cheered, and leaping up he tore across the lawn to meet his brother.
‘That’s what I love about Zav,’ Tom commented, ‘he’s just like Peter, always pleased to see everyone. I reckon he’d even be the same with burglars.’
Lainey smiled. ‘Aren’t you pleased to see Max?’ she asked Tierney, noticing how edgy she suddenly seemed.
Tierney shrugged. ‘Course. Did I say I wasn’t?’
Lainey’s eyes moved to Tom.
‘There’s no point looking at me,’ he told her, ‘I gave up trying to understand my children a long time ago.’
‘What about Julia?’ Tierney challenged. ‘Do you understand her?’
‘Probably not,’ he conceded, ‘but she’s definitely not as complicated as you.’
At that, Tierney’s eyes widened. ‘Was that a compliment or an insult?’ she asked her mother.
Laughing, Lainey said, ‘I’ll let you decide,’ and getting to her feet she was on her way to welcome Christie when she caught sight of Max’s swollen right eye. ‘Wow,’ she murmured as he sailed past her into the kitchen, with Zav throwing punches behind him.
‘What happened to you?’ Tom demanded.
‘You should see the other guy,’ Max retorted, tugging open the fridge.
Lainey and Tom looked at each other.
‘Excuse me,’ Tierney mumbled, pushing Max back inside as he made to come out again.
‘Hi, I hope it’s OK for me to be here,’ Christie said, her wide blue eyes seeming uncertain as she let everyone know she was there.
‘Yes, yes, of course,’ Lainey assured her, remembering her manners. ‘Come and sit down. How was the journey? Would you like a drink?’
‘I’m on it,’ Max called out, and sliding past Tierney he carried two beers to the table and handed one to Christie as he began downing the other.
Lainey was still intrigued by the bruise around his eye.
‘An explanation,’ Tom prompted.
‘Max!’ Tierney shouted.
Max shrugged helplessly. ‘Be right back,’ he told his father.
Tom turned to Christie.
‘Apparently someone tried to mug him while he was in London and he fought back,’ she told them.
Not at all sure she believed that, Lainey said, ‘Did he go to the police?’
‘I don’t think so. I didn’t ask.’
Lainey looked at Tom. ‘Tierney’s involved in this somewhere,’ she informed him.
His eyebrows rose. ‘Really?’ he responded, though his tone was far more relaxed than she might have expected. ‘We seem to have another visitor,’ he announced.
Lainey looked round, and her heart sank to see Skye coming across the lawn in a tight bikini top and low-slung shorts. ‘At last,’ she said, ‘we’ve been wondering where you were.’
‘I texted Tierney,’ Skye replied, her flinty eyes fixed on Christie.
Trying to ignore the tension, Lainey went on, ‘We’ve decided to fly home at the weekend, so we should call your parents to let them know.’
‘Hello Skye,’ Tom said cheerily.
Her eyes darted briefly to his.
‘I’m Christie,’ Christie said, holding out a hand to shake.
‘Yeah, right.’ Skye ignored the hand. ‘Don’t bother calling my parents,’ she told Lainey, ‘I won’t be going back with you. Zoe’s family have invited me to stay with them, so I’m only here to pick up my stuff.’
Trying not to be irritated by the curtness, Lainey said, ‘I’ll have to clear it with your parents first, so if you could let me have their number . . .’
Skye was still glaring at Christie, her weight shifted on to one leg, a hand on her hip, while Christie looked back in bemusement.
Certain Skye was about to cause a scene, Lainey tried to think what to do and almost jumped when Tom reached for her hand.
‘Zav,’ he said, pulling Lainey to her feet, ‘run in and get Max, will you? Then meet us down at the pool. Mum and I are going to try out the boat.’
Startled, Lainey allowed herself to be led away. ‘Don’t you want to get to the bottom of what’s going on?’ she whispered.
‘Not really,’ he replied. ‘They’re all grown-ups, or they like to think they are, so why don’t we let them sort it out for themselves?’
In Tierney’s room Max was saying, ‘What the fuck did you want me to do, let the douche bag get away with screwing my sister?’
Tierney’s eyes were bright with horror. ‘Of course not, but the fact that Nadia was there . . . Oh my God . . . What am I going to do if she tells Dad?’