‘I haven’t finished.’
‘I have.’
‘Too bad!’ I snapped. ‘If you’re going to accuse me of something, then you can bloody well listen to what I have to say. Don’t worry, I’ll get out of your way in just a moment.’
Even in his anger, I could see this mildly amused him. Admittedly, if he wanted, he could get me out of the way with one arm but I knew he wouldn’t. Besides, it was the principle of the matter.
‘Lottie. It’s probably best if we just draw a veil over this.’
‘No.’
‘Yes!’ he snapped back, exasperation now showing on his face as he shifted positions. The tension he was radiating probably wasn’t helping any of his body to be comfortable. It wasn’t doing a lot for mine and mine hadn’t been through half of what his had. ‘Look. I’ve never told anyone what I told you and the only reason I told you is because I felt I could trust you.’
‘You can!’
‘He knows!’ he said, flinging his hand out in the direction of the house. ‘He’s just asked me about it and the only way he can know that is if you told him.’
‘I didn’t! And it’s not. Yes, I said you have guilt, but that was it. What he took away from it was beyond my control.’
‘You shouldn’t have even said that!’
‘Maybe not, but it came out and I can’t take it back. The point is, whatever you think, your dad loves you very much and is super proud of you. The fact you two seem to butt heads all the time now obviously really upsets him. Maybe finally talking about things would be good for you both, not to mention the rest of your family.’
Seb tipped his head back for a moment and let out a sigh before looking back down at me. ‘Look, Lottie. I know you mean well—’
‘Well, that’s patronising,’ I interjected.
‘It wasn’t meant to be. It was just a statement of fact. But the rest of the facts are that you’ve only spent a few hours with my father this afternoon, rather than the lifetime I have. In light of that, you’ll forgive me if I say that I think I know my own parent a little better than you do.’
Watching his face, I could see that belief was as immoveable as his body.
‘Would you mind letting me back in now so I can collect my things?’
He frowned at me. ‘I thought you were staying to tea.’
‘I was.’
‘So? Everyone’s enjoying your company.’
I gave him a look that was a mix of sadness and exasperation. ‘Like I said, Seb. I can’t pretend things are fine when they’re not. And right now they’re not. I’ve been enjoying everyone’s company too, but as mine seems unwanted by you at the moment, I think it’s best if I leave.’
‘That’s not what I want.’
‘Argh! Seb!’ I flung my hands out. ‘Honestly, I don’t think you know what you want! However it came about, you’ve just been given the chance to really talk things over with your dad, but by the way you came storming out, I’m guessing you rejected that particular path.’
‘I did. So, what else is it that you think I might want?’
A tumble of emotions churned through me as I looked up into that face. Gorgeous, stern, hurt, with just a hint of confusion.
I shook my head. ‘Honestly? I don’t know. All I know is that I have to leave now.’
He held my gaze for a beat, then reached around me and unlocked the door, pushing it open. I turned and almost stumbled in. Seb’s arm caught me before I hit the floor, and righting myself, I pushed him away and headed into the kitchen, doing my best to put on a neutral, if not happy, face.
Everyone was in there. Crap.
29
‘Everything OK?’ Olivia asked, concern on her face, her eyes shifting to a point behind me which I guessed was Seb.
