He shook his head. ‘Nope. Nothing like that.’ He glanced down at me. ‘I guess that makes me sound cold.’
‘No. Not really. But I am curious. You don’t have to tell me, of course.’
‘There’s nothing to tell really. I just needed a change.’
‘Two hours away from your family. I assume you’re not close then.’
‘It’s not that. My brother and sister-in-law are really good people, and I’m pretty close with them. They’ve got a couple of kids and I do miss seeing them as much as I might have done had I stayed local.’ He gave a shrug and a flicker of sadness momentarily shadowed his face.
‘And your dad? Where’s he?’
‘Same sort of area as my brother.’
As soon as I’d mentioned his dad, Seb’s face had hardened, like a visor had dropped into place. I kept silent for a moment, wondering whether to ask any more.
‘My dad’s not really like yours, Lottie.’
I looked up.
Seb saw the question in my eyes. ‘Your parents are easy going. Eager to put people at their ease. I can’t remember the last time I felt quite so relaxed with someone I’d literally only just met. I sort of feel like I’ve known them for ages. They have a real gift of welcoming people, whether they know them or not. It’s obviously just how they are.’
‘It is.’
‘You’re very lucky.’
‘I am. I know. But just because your dad isn’t quite so open as my parents are, I’m sure that doesn’t mean he wouldn’t like to see you more.’
Seb looked away into the distance. ‘It’s complicated.’
‘Families often are.’
‘That’s true.’ His expression was still shuttered and his body had taken on a tension that it hadn’t had all day. I debated whether it was best to just let this go or whether to press on.
‘Have you never been close?’ I decided to give it a go. He could always change the subject if he wanted to, and, to be honest, I was kind of expecting him to, but something within me made me want to at least try. I hated that he’d suddenly become so tense after the relaxed happiness of earlier.
‘We used to be closer.’
I tried to hide my surprise at him actually answering and remained quiet, leaving him to fill the silence if he wanted.
‘Until I got injured. Things changed after that.’ He let out a sigh and his gaze drifted across the fields to our left as we headed back to the house.
‘I can’t begin to imagine how difficult it was for you all.’
‘Mum was pretty great. Once she got over the initial shock. Dad didn’t say much, but he was there. Until Mum died.’
‘Seb, I’m so sorry you’ve had to go through so much.’
He shook his head, the shutters still closed. ‘Other people go through much worse.’
‘Yes,’ I said quietly, ‘but we’re not talking about other people. We’re talking about you.’
He turned, dark eyes looking down at me. ‘Yes. We are. Now how did that happen?’ The hint of smile on a mouth way too attractive right now gave me hope.
‘I have magic powers.’
‘Of that, I have no doubt.’
‘Will you tell me more?’ All or nothing now.
