"I was injured," Bramwell replied.
"Yes, but even allowing for that."
Bramwell let out a low groan and dropped his head back against the couch.
"You are embarrassing me."
"Good," Martin said pleasantly. "It's fair repayment for the many years you embarrassed us."
Celeste turned to me with a warm smile.
"When he was eight, he kissed a pebble goodbye before we moved house because he didn't want it to feel abandoned."
Bramwell lifted a finger weakly, "I believed it was quartz."
"It was gravel," Martin said at once.
Celeste continued as though encouraged, "And at nine he asked for a birthday cake shaped like sedimentary layers."
"Stop it," Bramwell said.
Martin nodded, "Yeah he blew out the candles, then gave a speech on erosion while the other children waited for icing."
Bramwell then looked at me, "I am sorry, I didn't know they were coming. They've just come back from travelling. I suspect they landed, heard I was damaged, and came directly here to supervise my suffering."
"We came because we love you," Celeste said.
"And because your mother would not stop calling airport taxis from the arrivals gate," Martin added.
Celeste ignored him and adjusted Bramwell's blanket, then smoothed his hair back from his forehead with practiced tenderness.
"Have you eaten?"
"Yes."
"A proper meal?"
"I'm over thirty."
"That wasn't the question."
Martin crouched slightly to examine the sling.
"Can you move your fingers?"
"Yes."
"Good."
Then he rose and turned to me with sudden brightness.
"Tea? Coffee? Something stronger than either after meeting this family?"
I shook my head automatically.
"No matter," he said kindly. "You can change your mind at any time. We run a very flexible establishment."
Celeste was already halfway to the kitchen.
