Page 73 of It Was Always You

She pulled away and looked straight into Adam’s dark brown troubled eyes. ‘Adam, I’m so sorry.’

The crumple to his brow betrayed his confusion. ‘For what?’

She took a deep breath and searched for the courage to continue. ‘For trying to get you to move on.’

‘Sorry? I don’t get⁠—’

‘The dating site, Adam. I can’t believe I was so stupid.’

He shook his head. ‘Lily, help me out here ’cause I’m not sure⁠—’

‘Eve can’t be replaced, Adam. Just like my dad can’t be replaced. Eve was an amazing friend, an amazing person, and I should never have interfered.’ Her lip began to tremble again.

Holding her face in his hands, he smiled at her. ‘Lil, you can’t make me do something I don’t want to do, so stop worrying, okay? I’m an adult, remember? And I’m not trying to replace her. She was one of a kind. We both know that. But you were right. I don’t want to be alone. I know I have you but… well, one day… you’ll meet someone… then you’ll get married and I’ll be all alone. I do want to meet someone. I do. And all of this has made me feel hope. But maybe I need to stop forcing it, eh? I think I’m done with dating websites and singles’ nights.’

‘Things not going well with Jessica?’

‘Let’s just say I won’t be seeing her again and leave it at that, eh?’

Lily’s mum walked through the door, halting the conversation. She appeared broken. Lily climbed off Adam’s lap and enveloped her mum in her arms. The usually fiery and feisty woman was pale and drawn. Adam joined the mother and daughter as they sobbed together and clung to each other as if doing so would take away the pain they were feeling. With an arm around both women, Adam fought back his own tears.

‘They asked me to leave, Lily. I don’t know what is going on.’

Adam had always loved to hear Lenora speak. Her Spanish accent had become tinged with a slight Scottish lilt as time had passed. It had always brought a smile to his face. Today, however, he hated to hear her so heartbroken when there was nothing he could do to ease her pain.

‘It’s probably just so they can check his vitals, Mamá. Try not to worry, okay?’

‘Tengo tanto miedo… no puedo perder a tu papá,’ Lenora sobbed. She had a tendency to revert to Spanish when she was upset.

‘Mamá, I know you’re afraid. So am I. They’re doing all they can so that we don’t lose him. We have to stay positive.’ Lenora nodded but Adam could see that staying positive was something she was struggling to do.

TRACK 30

‘MY IMMORTAL’ (EVANESCENCE)

November 2024

Lily watched as Adam walked into the kitchen of her parents’ house. Another funeral over. She stood with her back against the work surface. The whole situation was painfully reminiscent of Eve’s wake.

She lifted her gaze to meet his with a sad smile. ‘Hey,’ she whispered.

‘Hey.’ He stood beside her. ‘How are you doing?’

She nudged his shoulder. ‘Funny, I was going to ask you the same thing.’

Adam scrunched his brow. ‘Why?’

‘Well, because we’re at another bloody wake together. We really shouldn’t make a habit of this, Adders.’

He smiled and slipped his arm around her shoulders. ‘You’re right. Let’s make a pact, eh? The next function we attend together should be a wedding or a christening or something. Whaddya say?’ He squeezed her and kissed her hair.

She snapped her gaze up to him and narrowed her eyes. ‘Why? Is there something you’re not telling me?’

He huffed. ‘Absolutely not. I don’t think I’ll get married again if I’m honest, Lil. If and when I meet someone, I reckon I’ll live in sin. I’ve had my happy marriage.’ Her lip began to quiver, and he pulled her into a hug. ‘Hey… hey, I’m sorry. Did I say the wrong thing?’

She sniffed. ‘No, I’m just so sad. My poor lovely mum. She’s heartbroken. Dad was her world. Apart from you and Eve, I’ve never seen two people more in love than they were.’

Adam kissed the top of her head. ‘I know. I’m so sorry, Lily. Nothing I say can make things better. But just know that I’m here, okay?’