“Did she now?”
“Yes, she said Kilmartin School is very famous. Was well impressed that you’re about to move there.”
“It’s…” I didn’t even know how to describe it. It wasn’t home; instead, it was…longing. I didn’t even care where he lived, as long as I got to be there with him.
“Darling, you’ve had what…four nights in total together.”
“Yes.”
“And you’re giving up your entire life.”
“Yes.”
“Good for you,” she said, finally grabbing my arm and dragging me through the house. “It’s the right thing to do; you’ve been lounging around in that awful house down there far too long.”
“It was an investment property.”
“Yes, and you invested nothing living there. Just droned around and went to work and met nobody and grew older. Luckily, you also grew wiser. Derek! Noah is here, come make the tea. I have sample invites he needs to go through!”
Oh. And here was Dad.
“You’re leaving then? Want me to check your tyres before you set off? How long will the drive be? I looked at the route. I think Warwick Services is a good one, as is Keswick. Make sure you stop and eat. Don’t overdo it just because you want to get there faster.”
“It will be fine, I drove up and down to uni for years.”
“Yes, but that was…years ago, and it was Newcastle. Not Scotland.” My dad gave me a knowing look. I gave him one back.
“Dad…”
“Noah. The furniture. Shall I ship it up? Or store it? Because… Son.”
“I hope I won’t be coming back. But there isn’t much space…”
“Then let me know. Talk to Fox.”
“We talk. We talk all the time.”
“But do you talk about what’s important?”
Yes, Dad. And also. No. We hadn’t actually talked about the most important thing. What happened when he got sick and tired of me? When I annoyed the crap out of him? When I’d put my wanky, colourful vase in his pretty window and he’d pick it up and chuck it at me?
And just like Dad could read my mind? I could read his.
“It will be okay, Dad.”
“It absolutely will be,” he said sternly. “As long as you don’t run off as soon as things get tough. Do you think I’ve stayed here all these years for my health? It’s been tough. It’s been awful and hard and terrible at times. But, Noah. It’s also been great. And Mum and I? We never go to bed on an argument, and you shouldn’t either.”
“That’s what all the leaflets say. The marriage counselling ones the two of you kept lying around.”
“Yes,” he said quietly. “They remind us both of where we’ve sometimes been, and where we are now. That is what you need to focus on. Whenever things get tough, put yourself back on that beach. Think of how you felt when he came back to you that evening. And yes, no need to get embarrassed, we were right next door. You, oh my, were…ahem…having the time of your life. Mum and I? We had to go on a very long walk. So remember that. The good bits always overshadow any bad ones. Keep it that way. Don’t run away, just face it. Sit down. Figure it out. Always the best solution.”
My dad was wise. He was also an idiot, whistling loudly as he went off to make us tea.
And Mum? Fuck. The wedding invites were insane. Our names and swirly gold inlays were superbly over the top.
I didn’t mind. Honestly, I didn’t care. If it made Mum happy? I’d go with it. So I pulled my phone out of my pocket and sent Fox a text.
I’m on my way. Don’t wait up.
