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“Nan,” I whine.
“I don’t want to hear it. They seemed more than happy to refund you. And when you’re ready to go back, you are welcome. If they say anything different, you come to me.”
I relax, knowing I won’t have to give up my course, but feel sad because I know there is no way I’ll be able to go back to doing night courses.
“I might start doing part-time classes in the day. I don’t think I could go back there at night.”
Her expression softens. “That’s understandable, darling. Whenever you are ready to decide, I will help you sort it out.”
“Thank you. I might wait until September and enrol then. I want to get used to being around a lot of people.”
“If anyone can do it, you can,” she tells me, her eyes shining.
“Thank you.”
“And we have that camping trip in a few weeks. You can get used to a small group first and work your way up.”
I smile at Banner. “That sounds like a great idea.”
“I’m full of them,” he tells me, winking.
“You’re full of something,” Granddad mutters.
“Granddad,” I moan, rolling my eyes at him.
“Sorry.” He doesn’t look sorry. “Where’s Mark?”
“He just had to—” The key entering the lock has me pausing, glancing at the door. “Here he is.”
As soon as he walks in, they engulf him in hugs and kisses. My grandparents were the only people in our family who didn’t care that he was gay. They loved him no matter what, just like family are meant to.
“Does your granddad really have a gun?” Banner whispers in my ear.
I shiver, facing him. “He has three, but the other two are more for show.”
His face turns a deathly pale colour. “Fuck!”
“Right then, boy,” Granddad booms, coming to sit back down. “Now you can tell me what your intentions are with my girl.”
I bite back a smile when Banner whimpers, trying to appear as small as possible. I simply shrug, giving him a ‘go on’ look and try so hard to not give in when he gives me those puppy dog eyes.
I glance around the room at my family, feeling so much love. It feels good having us all together.
And I hope we have more times like this together in the future.
Because right here, right now, this is my family, my everything. And I don’t want to lose that.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Two weeks have flown by with no word from Mr. Flint. The police are no closer to finding him, but they did manage to catch the killer murdering those poor innocent girls. It’s been all over the news, every station covering the story.
Two people were held against their will before they had no choice but to kill the lad. It terrifies me to know he went to the same university as me. He even worked at the library. The times I visited the library I never saw another male working there, and I’m kind of glad. I have enough going in my life right now to feel freaked out over being in the presence of a real-life murderer.
I inhale, running my sweaty palms down my coat. Banner is going to be here any second with his friends. The only reason I’m not backing out of going is because I don’t want to let him down. In the time I’ve been here, he’s been nothing but be good to me. Instead of going out partying like lads his age do, he’s stayed in with me and kept me company. He’s taken me to his favourite places, taken me to watch movies. He’s been content for it to be just us. Backing out of this weekend would disappoint him, even though he wouldn’t say anything. It’s just who he is.
“He’s here,” Mark tells me when Banner’s car pulls down our road.
My knees begin to shake when he pulls up to the curb and jumps out. His friend, who’s sitting in the passenger seat, gets out too.
