AllFreeNovel
Share Us
‘You don’t want to be with her anymore because it would mean bringing up another man’s child?’
‘That’s not what I said.’
‘What are you going to do then – about Abigail?’
‘I don’t know. But I do know I can’t return here. She will have to take over until her son comes of age. You’ll help her, won’t you?’
‘Are you serious?’
‘I am. She’ll be lost without you.’
‘But Dad can help her.’
‘He won’t be of any use. He hasn’t been for years. God knows, you’ve been running the estate since you were a teenager while he was still lost in grief. It was you who showed me how to run this place. She needs you, Carys, and so does your nephew.’
Carys stepped forward and threw her arms around Oliver’s neck. ‘You’ll always be a brother to me.’
Oliver smiled. ‘And you, a sister.’ He gently grasped her arms and took them away from his neck. ‘Now, you promise you’ll take care of them.’
Carys wiped the tears from her cheeks. ‘I will, I promise. But what are you going to do about work, money?’
Oliver shrugged. ‘I have no idea – isn’t it great! I’m free to go where I please, do what I please …’
‘You sound like you’ve been let out of prison,’ Carys joked.
Oliver stared at her thinking,never a truer word was spoken.
‘I think you’re in shock, Oliver.’
‘Maybe, but in a good way.’ He paused before opening the door. ‘I expect I’ll be staying at the lighthouse for a while, so you know where I am. I’ll let you know when I move on.’
‘Okay.’
He opened the door. The wind and rain were still lashing down.
‘Oliver, stay the night. The weather’s still awful out. Spend one more day, here, with us, as a family.’
‘I can’t, Carys.’ Oliver wanted to spend the time with his father in the lighthouse where he was born.
Carys nodded. ‘I understand.’
He hesitated. ‘Do you want me to wait until Father gets home?’ Carys had already got a text from her father telling her he was borrowing Albert’s car and driving back to the Hall.
‘Nah. I can manage.’
Oliver smiled. ‘I know you can.’
A silent understanding passed between them. Oliver wouldn’t be back.
