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The photo turned out great, unlike my relationship with Radleigh. It was a happy picture, we were laughing and the emotion shone through.
Tears prickled my eyes as I let my gaze linger on Radleigh's face.
God, when will this endless weeping be over?
“Mummy said I could keep this photo by my bed because you and Radleigh McCoy are my favourite people in the whole world.”
Quickly wiping the tears from my eyes, I placed the photo back on the bedside table and smiled at my nephew. “I'm one of your favourite people, huh?”
Jamie nodded, looking at me seriously. “Mummy said that I mustn't talk to you about him because he's not your friend anymore.”
“Oh Jamie, you can talk about him. It's okay.”
I appreciated that Christina had been trying to ease any potential awkwardness but I didn't want Jamie to have to quell his soccer enthusiasm on my account.
“I don't want to make you upset,” Jamie said.
“Don't worry about me. If I feel upset, it isn't your fault.”
“Did Radleigh McCoy make you sad?”
“A little bit.”
“Please don't cry, Auntie Leah,” Jamie said as he unravelled himself from his duvet and sat up to give me a hug. “If you don't want me to like him anymore, I won't.”
The thoughtfulness of this little boy was overwhelming.
“You don't have to stop liking him,” I said. “I still like him.”
“Do you?”
I nodded. “Very much. Just because we're not friends anymore, doesn't mean I don't like him. And it certainly doesn't mean you should stop liking him.”
“I like you the most, Auntie Leah, don't worry.”
With a soft laugh I said, “I'm glad to hear it. Now it's time you were asleep, young man!”
“Okay,” Jamie agreed reluctantly.
He got back into bed and I kissed him on the cheek.
“Goodnight, J.”
“Night night. I love you.”
“I love you too.”
I stood up and turned out his bedroom light, lingering a moment to watch as he turned over and closed his eyes. If one thing was going to make being at home worthwhile, it was watching how incredible Jamie was turning out to be. Eight years old and already he was more thoughtful than most fully grown men I'd ever met. How many children would offer to give up on their hero to make their aunt happy?
The memories of what I'd left behind were crippling me, but at least with my family around me I wouldn't have to deal with it alone.
.
Chapter 22: Don't Make This Difficult
“Leah, you have to come! Please?”
Those were some of the final words Freya said to me during the last phone conversation we'd had. I'd been back in England for five long uneventful weeks and in another three, Freya, Will, Jesse and Miguel were amongst the people coming over for the Westberg Warriors tour. It seemed like years since I'd seen them and passing up the chance to spend time with them wasn't something I’d ever imagined doing. However, Radleigh's inclusion on the tour was a factor I couldn't ignore. When Freya asked me to meet up with them in London, I'd been a little vague about my answer. She understood my reluctance, but throwing this opportunity away because of what happened with Radleigh seemed insane to her. I really didn't have a good reason not to be there either. Josh was taking Jamie to one of the matches as promised, so I wouldn't even have difficulty getting there.
