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But now this has happened, complicating things a hundredfold. He’s not going to be in any state of mind to think about his future for a while. And that’s fair enough. All I can do is be there for him and try to help.
My eyes sting as I think of how shocked he was when he heard. It must have been so hard for him and Izzy over the years to deal with Jocelyn without giving up their own lives and dreams to look after her. Oh God, Izzy. Marc’s going to have to ring her in Fiji. That’s going to be a difficult call.
I jerk myself out of my musings and finish off packing, then go up the stairs to the bedroom. He’s not in there, although all his stuff’s packed. I finish putting my clothes in my case quickly, and throw in the bathroom bag, take a final glance around, then go up the stairs to the viewing platform.
He’s standing by the window, his hands in the pockets of his jeans. I can tell from his breathing that he’s struggling not to cry, although I can see his face is wet. He lifts a hand and brushes over it, and gives a shaky sigh. I don’t know whether he would rather I leave him for a while, but it’s not in my nature to do that. I know I can’t make him feel better, but I want to bring him comfort.
So I walk up behind him, slide my arms around his waist, and hug him.
He puts a hand over mine and leans his forehead on the window. “I can’t believe she’s gone.”
Tears run down my face and I tighten my arms. “I know. I’m so sorry.”
“Can you… give me five minutes…”
I kiss between his shoulder blades. “Of course.”
“I’m sorry. It’s just…”
“Don’t worry about it. Come down when you’re ready.”
I release him and go out, closing the door behind me.
I take the bags out to the car and pack it up, then sit outside on the step in the sunshine. He doesn’t want to lose control in front of me. I shouldn’t be surprised. He’s such a private person. So self-contained and solitary. I bet he misses Jack right now. A man needs his dog at times like this.
I take out my phone and study it. Everyone at the Ark will want to know. I’ll call Noah in a minute—he’ll pass the message on to everyone. First, though, I dial my father’s number in and call him.
He answers within a few rings. “Charlie King.”
“Dad?” I swallow hard as, immediately, my eyes fill with tears. “It’s me.”
“Poppy? Hello, sweetheart. How’s it going in Hawke’s Bay?”
I’d rung to tell him I was going down there to check out the new Ark. He knew I was going with Marc, but he didn’t query it. I’m not sure whether he was being tactful or clueless. Either is a possibility.
“It’s fine,” I say. “Or it was. We’ve just heard that Marc’s mom has died.”
“Oh no. Jocelyn, isn’t it?”
“Yes.”
“How?”
I tell him about the heart attack, and what Wendy told me. “She passed away in her sleep, apparently.”
“You’d be surprised how often that happens.” As always, Dad’s a doctor first. It gives him a practicality I’ve always loved. “It’s good that she wasn’t in pain, anyway.”
“That’s what I said, but it’s come as such a shock to Marc. I mean, she was in rehab for her alcoholism, but obviously he never expected this.”
“How is he?”
“As you’d expect. We’ve literally only just heard. He asked me to leave him alone for a few minutes.” I want to explain why that makes me sad, but I can’t.
“Some people grieve best with others,” Dad says. “Some grieve best alone, especially men. It doesn’t mean anything. I’m sure he’s very glad to have you there.”
“I don’t know,” I squeak. “I think I might have screwed things up a bit.”
“Aw, I doubt it. We Kings tend to think we’re disastrous at love, but it usually works out.”
I wipe my eyes. He knows we’re here together. I should have guessed.
“You want me to call Noah?” Dad asks. “Tell him about Jocelyn?”
“Oh, would you? He’ll tell everyone else. But can you make sure they don’t call Hal and Izzy? Marc will want to do that.”
