Page 107 of Carry Me Home

‘Ivy.’ Her smile is perfect. Completely fake, but perfect. ‘Don. Hey, girls.’ She nods at Meg and Hayley.

‘We’re just seeing Tom off,’ Mum says. She pulls Nina into a hug that Nina clearly wasn’t expecting. ‘Can you believe he’s actually going? My boy, off to Scotland. I keep hoping he’ll change his mind at the last minute.’

‘Mum—’

‘I’m just saying. It’s not too late. You could stay. We’d all be very happy if you stayed.’ Mum looks between me and Nina with an expression that’s not remotely subtle. ‘Wouldn’t we, Nina?’

‘I’m sure Tom knows what’s best for him,’ Nina says, voice tight.

‘Does he though? Men are notoriously bad at knowing what’s best for them. Isn’t that right, Don?’

‘Leave me out of this.’

Mum’s still looking at Nina. ‘Some men just need a push, that’s all. A little nudge in the right direction.’

‘Mum,’ I cut in before this gets any worse. ‘I need to go. It’s a long drive.’

‘Right. Yes. Of course.’ Mum hugs me again. Then again. Hayley has to physically pull her away.

I turn to Nina.

She’s standing slightly apart from the group, arms wrapped around herself despite the warmth. For the first time since we met, I can’t read her face. It’s blank.

‘Goodbye, Nina.’

‘Goodbye, Tom.’

We don’t hug. We don’t shake hands. We just stand there, a metre of distance between us that might as well be an ocean.

‘Take care of yourself,’ I say.

‘You too.’

‘And if you ever need anything⁠—’

‘I’ll manage.’

The words land like a door closing. Quiet. Final. No room on the other side.

‘Right.’ I nod. ‘Well. Goodbye, then.’

‘You already said that.’

‘I know.’

I get in the car. Close the door. Start the engine.

The family waves. Mum’s crying now, not even trying to hide it. Hayley’s blowing kisses. Meg’s making threatening gestures that probably mean call me or I’ll kill you. Dad’s just standing there, hand raised, solid and steady as always.

And Nina. Nina’s standing at the edge of the group, arms still wrapped around herself, watching me go.

I put the car in gear. Pull away from the kerb. Start the slow climb up the lane that leads out of the village.

At the bend – the last point where you can see the harbour – I look in the rearview mirror.

The group has dispersed. Mum being led inside by Dad. Hayley and Meg walking away, heads bent together. Normal. Life continuing.

But Nina hasn’t moved.