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‘No. You didn’t. And no one expected you to. You would have died if you had gone back into that building and that would have been an even bigger tragedy. You are a good person, Marcus, and I am proud that you are my son. Now believe in yourself. If you love April tell her so. Don’t leave it too late, like I have with you.’
‘It’s not too late.’
Marcus moved around the desk and without thought took this wonderful woman into his arms. ‘I love you too, and when I get back we’ll talk. You and me and Dad.’
‘It’s a deal.’ Louise made a shooing motion. ‘Now, go.’
And with that she left.
Before he could even begin to think about their conversation there was another knock on the door and Frederick entered.
Marcus rose to his feet.
‘I have come to grant you leave of absence so you can go and find April,’ said Frederick.
Marcus blinked. ‘I wasn’t aware I’d taken out a social media advert proclaiming my emotional state.’
‘I am not an idiot. Plus I recognise the signs. It’s not so long ago that you told me to go after the woman I loved. I am here to return the favour. Go. But before you do—your father is waiting to see you.’
Marcus guessed he shouldn’t be surprised.
Frederick left and Bill entered, for all the wo
rld as if this were some Broadway show: Exit the Prince, stage left. Enter the father, stage right.
Stepping forward he shook hands with Bill, who looked at him apologetically.
‘I know Louise has just been here, but I wanted to wish you luck and echo what she said. I’m proud of you, and I couldn’t have wished for a better son.’ His adoptive dad grinned slightly awkwardly. ‘And I hope we can spend a bit more time together in the future.’
‘I’d like that.’ And he meant every word.
Bill held out a hand. ‘Good luck with April. Take a tip from me and don’t give up. I didn’t have it easy with Louise, you know. She had some damn fool idea in her head that because she couldn’t have kids I wouldn’t want her. I told her that all I wanted in the world was her, and it was true. And then we were blessed with you and Elvira, so we did good. So will you.’
If only it could be that easy. He knew everyone meant well, but they seemed to believe that April would just fall into his arms, and Marcus knew damn well that it wouldn’t be that simple. The odds of her loving him back seemed remote. Perhaps she would elect to keep walking away and not look back.
His stomach clenched and then he thumped the desk. No. He would not think like that. He was a fighter and, so help him, he would fight for April like he had never fought before.
* * *
April stared out of the window at the London drizzle. It suited her mood—grey, miserable, dull—and she was missing Marcus with an ache she didn’t want to acknowledge. Her desolation was deep, poignant...as though a part of her was missing.
And it wasn’t only Marcus—she missed Lycander, the community centre, the people, even Roberto the chauffeur, whom she had bonded with over their mutual love of chocolate.
She gave another sigh—one she tried to swallow as her father walked in. She summoned a smile, though from Alex Fotherington’s expression he wasn’t fooled for an instant.
‘Come on, petal. Why don’t you tell me what’s wrong?’
‘Me. I’m just all wrong—befuddled and confused and—’
‘I’m glad.’
April stared at him. ‘Glad? Well, gee, thanks a bunch, Dad.’
‘I am glad. Because you’re feeling something.’
‘I don’t want to feel anything.’ Talk about throwing her toys out of the pram... ‘Last time I felt miserable it was—’
‘Was over a tragedy you could have done nothing about. That was flat-out misery of the type I hope you never have to feel again. This is a different misery, and I suspect it’s one you can choose to do something about.’
