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“Whatever. I just…I wish I was home.” It’s Priya’s turn to cry now. “I wish I was back in England. I’d come to Scotland and be there for you.”

“I know you would.”

“But not just now. I want to go back. I want to live in our flat again. I want my old colleagues back. Everyone here is so, so…”

“Australian?”

Priya lets out a sob-laugh. “Exactly that. I just…I thought it would be this grand adventure. But it’s hard, and really it’s just me and my life but somewhere new with people I don’t know well enough to be stupid in front of or say how I’m really feeling. And it’s exhausting. And I think I want to come home, but what will everyone think? I’ve barely managed a few months and everyone keeps saying how jealous they are and what an adventure it is and—”

“Stop. It doesn’t matter what everyone else thinks, P. And it’s okay if things don’t work out.” Which is something she’s learning, too, isn’t it? “It’s definitely okay to let things go and realize it’s not right. You’re not letting anyone down. And who cares what random people think, anyway? Most people are too wrapped up in their own lives to give any of it much thought.”

“Yeah,” Priya sniffs. “Yeah, maybe.”

“But also—things might get better. It’s okay if things take a while to settle too. Either way, Priya, things will work out.”

“You think so?”

“Yeah. I do.” She’s not sure where this optimism is coming from, given everything, but it’s there, somewhere. “And I’ll come and visit. Soon. Even if you decide to come home, I’ll come and visit before you do.”

“Okay. Yeah. God, it’s so good to talk to you, Mel.”

“You too. I’m sorry I’ve been so crap. Things have been…”

“Not great.”

“Yeah. Not great. And I didn’t want you to worry.”

“Mel, I worry—whether or not you tell me—so you might as well talk to me.”

Mel laughs and though she feels hollowed out, it is a real laugh. “Good to know.”

“Bugger, I have to go. But, Mel? You can’t let Finn shut you out like this, okay? This isn’t your fault—he’s upset and shocked and panicked and he probably doesn’t even mean it. But even if he does, you’ve got to think of Susan here. She’s your family, too, remember.”

She’s your family too. And that’s true, isn’t it? Despite how hung up she’s been, about them being Finn’s family and not hers, it’s been clear, this holiday, that they do not think of it that way.

“You’re right,” she says. “You’re always right.”

“I try. I love you.”

“You too—always.”

Mel stares at her phone after Priya hangs up. Still no message from Finn. But she squares her shoulders, then starts the engine. Because Priya is right. Susan would want her there—she’s sure of it. And she wants to be there. She wants to be there for Susan, who is going through the most awful time, and for Hattie, who might just need a friend to talk to. She wants to be there to support them all—including Finn, whether he likes it or not.

Chapter Thirty-two

It is late, but the hospital still seems packed, and Mel makes her way through a busy waiting area, then down the corridor, following the directions a friendly nurse gives her at the desk. She takes a breath and inhales that distinct bleach and medicinal smell.

She couldn’t see any of them out in the waiting room. Presumably, that means they are all with Susan, and despite the fact that she wants to see them, despite her resolution earlier, still her stomach twists with nerves. Will it only be Finn who is mad at her for not saying anything? Or will Mark and Hattie hate her too? And Susan—Hattie said she’s okay, but what does “okay” actually mean in this scenario?

She finds Susan’s room number. The door is slightly ajar, and she peers in. She sees Susan lying on the white hospital bed, a drip in her arm. Hattie and Dylan are sitting next to her, Hattie holding her hand, Dylan’s hand on Hattie’s shoulder. No one else seems to be in there.

She pushes the door open gently. Susan looks over to her and smiles. It’s a tired smile, but a smile nonetheless.

“Mel. I’m so glad you came.” She looks so fragile, pale against the color of her hospital gown, and her gray-blond hair looks limp and a little greasy.

Hattie gets to her feet and immediately envelops Mel in a hug. Her eyes are red, and she’s clearly been crying, but her arms are firm and strong around Mel. Mel lets out a sob as she returns it, and the two of them cling to each other for a moment. She takes a breath, inhaling the scent of Hattie’s shampoo. And something inside her settles.

“I’m so glad you came,” Hattie whispers against Mel’s shoulder, and although that only makes Mel want to cry more, she manages to control it, pulling back and nodding.