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Reuben shifted in his chair. It was one of the few times she’d actually seen him looking uncomfortable.
He sighed again. ‘It’s not quite as easy as that.’
She sat down her knife and fork. ‘Well, explain it to me.’
Reuben ran his fingers through his hair. ‘Not everyone has a fairy-tale life, Lara. I brought him here from Brazil. He might not have come from the slums but he wasn’t far off it. He started with one of the lower-league clubs, but as soon as his talent was noticed, the offers came in thick and fast. He wasn’t used to having money. He’s not used to fame or the way celebrity is here. I feel as if I’ve left him exposed to something he wasn’t ready for.’
She could see the worry etched on his face. ‘How long has he been here now?’
‘Four years.’
She tried to be reasonable. ‘In that case, he’s had four years to learn how to deal with things. He’s had four years with English clubs. He’s had plenty of time to learn some manners and how to conduct himself. If he hasn’t learned by now, it’s unlikely he will.’
She took a deep breath. He’d made that little comment about fairy-tale lives. It seemed to have opened a door for her.
‘Tell me about Ireland,’ she said.
‘What do you want me to tell you?’ His reply was kind of sharp.
‘You haven’t mentioned much about your family. Do you have brothers, sisters? Do you see a lot of your mum and dad?’
He twitched. Or was it a visible shudder? ‘I’m an only child.’
‘And do you go back home much?’ she pressed.
He almost rolled his eyes. ‘Not if I can help it.’
She put down her knife and fork. ‘What does that mean? Surely you never got into that much trouble at home?’
He shook his head. ‘Even if I had, no one would have noticed. Not everyone has the idyllic parents that you do, Lara.’
She felt offended. ‘What’s that supposed to mean?’
He shrugged as he kept eating. ‘You’ve said that your mum and dad are great. They’d be happy to have you back home and you’d be happy to go back if you could.’ He shook his head. ‘Let’s just say I’m at the other end of the spectrum.’
She frowned. ‘What does that mean?’
‘It means my parents couldn’t wait to send me to boarding school and I couldn’t wait to go.’
Her stomach twisted. This was all so wrong. No kid should feel like that. ‘You don’t see your parents?’
‘Not if I can help it. I went to see Dad four years ago in hospital and that was it. In all my life I can’t remember my mother and father being in the same room and not fighting. Most of the time they didn’t even realise I was there.’
Lara sucked in a sharp breath. ‘That’s awful. Why haven’t they just divorced?’
He shook his head. ‘Strict Catholics. They prefer to make each other—and everyone around them—miserable.’ He paused for a second. ‘Don’t get me wrong—I’ve always had a roof over my head, clothes on my back, food on the table. Did I ever have anyone ask me how my day was? Give me a hug or a kiss? Not a chance.’
Lara couldn’t eat any more. ‘That’s terrible. I’m sorry, Reuben, no kid should experience life like that.’
He sat down his knife and fork. ‘I guess I should appreciate the fact they sent me to school and I met Caleb. His family are great. They were my first real example of what a family should be. Up until that point I thought most people lived like I did. Once I realised the love and attention Caleb had from his mum and dad it made me resentful and angry.’ He took a sip of his coffee. ‘Now, a few years on, I’m adult enough to realise I don’t need toxic people in my life and step away.’
Lara could feel tears in her eyes. She reached across the table and squeezed his hand. ‘You told me before that you knew Caleb would give up his life for his wife and his child. And I know you’re right. He’s a great dad and a great husband.’ She smiled. ‘He might have a bit of the workaholic in him, like you, but I’ve never doubted his devotion to his family. I’m glad you had a chance to see that not all parents are like yours.’
There was silence for a few minutes. She didn’t feel the need to fill it with endless chatter. She was trying to get her head around what he’d just told her. It was making her see Reuben in a whole new light. Maybe the way he’d been brought up was affecting his ability to make connections in life? Maybe that was why he had trouble letting people in?
Reuben shook his head a little. ‘I was jealous, you know.’
