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‘No.’
‘Poor Owen’ Millie’s looked sadly at the door through which Owen had left, as if she wanted to run after him and bring him back.
George frowned, remembering last Thursday… the beginning of their holiday. It all seemed such a long time away now. He said, ‘I guess it’s why he called me. No one else for him to turn to. He was in a terrible state.’
‘I can imagine.’
‘I told Mum and Dad what had happened. Mum said we should fetch Owen back to our place. He shouldn’t be left alone. Dad drove to Aldershot in record time, and after a bit of a set to with the law because we thought they were about to take Owen into custody, we brought him back to London.’
‘Were the police arresting him?’
‘It turned out, no. They were going to take him back to the station because they were concerned he might try something stupid, like topping himself.’
Millie gasped. ‘Would he have done that, do you think?’
‘I don’t know. I mean, if his mum was unstable…’ George stopped. Millie nodded. She seemed to understand. ‘Since he’d been here, he’s not talked much. Frankly, Millie, I am worried. Owen’s such a deep thinker… much cleverer than me. I hate to imagine what dark thoughts he’s having. But you won’t tell him I’ve told you everything, will you?’
‘Of course not.’
‘It’s just, he’s a very private person, and he’s not ready for people to know what’s happened.’
She rested her hand over his. ‘I understand. At least I think I do. I will say a prayer for him and keep what I know to myself. You can trust me, George.’
‘I know I can.’ He put his other hand over hers and squeezed. ‘Thank you, Millie.’
‘Now then, time for me to get back to work.’ She slipped her hand from his, picked up the tray and turned to the bar, a thoughtful expression on her face before she said, ‘You know, it was most cruel and selfish of Owen’s mum. Not at all how a mother should behave.’
George stood to follow her. ‘It was, but perhaps she didn’t think he would be the one to find her.’
Millie grunted as if she thought that unlikely. Then heading towards the bar, she cast back over her shoulder, ‘What else had you to say, George?’
‘Uh?’
‘Owen… before he left, he said you had something to tell me.’
