The air in the room shifts infinitesimally as the four of them stand at the end of the session.
‘So we’ll see you same time on Thursday?’ Ursula says.
Scott nods and realises he doesn’t find the idea quite as horrific as he thought he might mere minutes ago.
***
The next time Scott and Leon meet, it feels easier.
The time after that easier still.
And by the sixth visit, Scott, Leon and Lorraine stand and shake hands.
A snap decision made by an immature, adolescent brain led to a hideous accident that destroyed all their lives. But now there is a chance for reconciliation. A chance to re-build. And a chance for a new beginning.
FRESHMAN PARENTS' ONLINE FORUM: ST ANDREWS UNIVERSITY
(Admin)
Well, that’s a wrap. Thank you for all the support, encouragement, proactivity and advice. Almost can’t believe we’ve made it to the year end. Sending power to those stripping out student rooms today.
Thank you so much, everyone, for all the support while my boy’s been over there from the US. Never imagined we’d both make great friends as a result
COME AND VISIT!!!
Chapter 37
HEATHER
Thelastdayofterm.
‘Can you come and get me in the afternoon?’ Georgia had asked, all assured and managerial.
Crazy to think Heather had nightmares about her being eaten alive by cockroaches only nine months prior. Look at her now.
They packed the car together and separated for a couple of hours for Georgia to say her goodbyes. Heather filled her time on the beach.
She now taps her damp skin through the dry robe.Will she make the effort to drive to St Andrews for a sea swim when the university isn’t in session?It might feel strange to be here knowing that Georgia and Brianna are in Vermont attheir summer camp. Maybe she will, though. There’s something supremely grounding in the setting of St Andrews, the slow, gentle slope to the sea, the pure yellow of the sand, the historical castle and pier visible along the coast on the return swim. Never say never. The sky takes on a reddish tinge as the sun lowers. She glances at her swim watch. Georgia said they’d rendezvous at seven o’clock. It’s already nine. If she doesn’t come soon, the drive to Edinburgh will be in the pitch dark, and they’ll miss the late-night film they were hoping to see. The one saving grace with their altered travel plans is there’s now no chance of bumping into Scott.
He will have Brianna packed up and halfway home by now. They’re probably pulling into an airport because Scott’s booked a trek to see mountain gorillas in the Ugandan rainforest and expects Brianna to fly from Kampala to JFK for summer camp straight afterwards.
That’s fine. Whatever he wants.
She tried. She failed. Move on. She has plenty to look forward to without Scott-Bloody-Reynolds in her life.
The beach is empty save for one solitary figure moving towards her. Most of the students have gone, and only the day trippers are left. She turns to look straight out to sea. She closes her eyes and lifts her head to feel the warmth of the setting sun on her face. The caw, caw, caw of seagulls looking for the next feed circulates in her brain.
‘Heather?’
A voice to her left. She turns. The other person on the seashore isn’t a stranger.
It’s Scott.
And he’s walking towards her. Her legs seize. She can’t do this; she can’t have this confrontation here. If she could turn and run, she would. The last thing she needs to hear is a justification of why he, like all the men before him, has chosen to leave, orsome messy explanation about how it’s all her fault that Brianna nearly came to harm that night.
