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“Okay.”
He slides his hand to the back of my head and holds me there as he closes the gap between us.
He kisses me a couple of times, just pressing his lips to mine, warm and gentle, but it’s enough to send fireworks exploding inside me, and from his sigh and the reluctant way he moves back, I think he feels the same.
*
I tell him I’m going to take an Uber, but he refuses, and I’m not a big enough person to not have a thrill at the thought of being dropped off at my parents’ house in an Aston Martin.
He talks about light things as he drives—a biography he’s reading at the moment on Neil Armstrong; the latest Bond movie; my favorite Hendrix song. I answer him shyly, my head in a whirl.
Why did he do it? I’ll never be able to pay him back—not that I think he’d want me to. It’s a gift, a drop in the ocean to him, although he obviously understands what it means to me.
Following my directions, he takes me south to my parents’ home. As he turns onto their road, I try to see it through his eyes: the burnt-out car in the ditch just outside town, the kids playing in the street, the tagging on some of the fences. The small house in the rather dodgy neighborhood was all they could afford, but at least Dad has mowed the lawn, and he’s recently repainted the fence.
“I won’t ask you in,” I say. “I’m sure you want the Aston to keep its wheels.”
He gives a short laugh. “So I’ll see you tonight. Is seven okay?”
“It’s fine.”
“From here or your own place?”
“Oh, back at my place, please.” I clear my throat. “Are you sure about this?”
“Stop arguing with me.”
I stick my tongue out at him. “You’re very bossy.”
“I’m used to getting my own way.”
I give him a wry smile. “I bet. All right. See you later.” I get out of the car, close the door carefully, then run up the path and go inside.
When I walk into the living room, I discover Mum, Dad, Kate, Dan, Kate’s husband, Liam, and their seven-year-old daughter, Julia, all peering through the curtains.
“Oh my God,” Kate says as I drop my purse onto the sofa. “Tell me you did not just pull up in an Aston.”
I give a hesitant smile as they all turn, but it’s Dad I’m looking at. He’s pale and not smiling, and as I walk forward, he folds his arms.
“I told him,” Dan says. “He’s saying he won’t accept it.”
I stop walking. “What?”
“How did you get the money?” Dad whispers.
“I didn’t,” I say. “It was an anonymous donation.”
“Sid,” he warns. “Tell me the truth.”
I look at Dan, who just studies his shoes. Kate clears her throat. “I’ll put the kettle on.”
“I’ll help,” Liam says, and strides out after her.
Mum comes over and gives me a kiss. “Come and sit down, love.” She goes over to Dad then, and gently pushes him toward one of the armchairs. He sinks down. I can see he’s fighting to keep his self-control.
Dan meets my gaze, and he looks terrified that I’m going to reveal it was his idea to contact Socrates. I still haven’t forgiven him for suggesting it, but I know he only did it because he couldn’t think of another option, and the idea of losing Dad is as horrific to him as it is to me.
I decide I might as well tell the truth. Well, most of it.
