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Corran nods. “Spring chicken compared to the Range Rover.”
The thought makes me giggle.
“Okay then. So, tell me, what have you been up to? It is so nice to see you.” In my effort to avoid slipping into the easy familiarity of old, I tip into oddly stilted.
Corran runs his hand through his hair. “I retired at the end of last season. I’m still involved with the Gossies though. I’m running a community engagement project for the club. Getting out into the community, getting them involved with rugby and with the club, that sort of thing. Giving something back, you know…”
“I wouldn’t have thought there would be much need to make the people of Oakheart Glen aware of rugby,” I say with a chuckle. “They are all Gossie-daft. Never understood it myself.” I give him a side-eyed glance.
He winces and rubs his chest. “Ouch.”
“And what about the gang? Are you in touch with them much? I met Ben earlier. My dad’s in Meadow View. He’s got Alzheimer’s.”
“Oh, right. I’m sorry to hear that.”
“Does Ben not own that place? I catch up with him for the odd beer here and there, but I haven’t seen him for a while. I’m sure he said he was thinking about buying it.”
“He did, he does. It is a nice place.” Corran’s expression is unreadable.
“My dad is really happy there,” I say, attempting to
“Well, that’s the main thing. And I’m glad for Ben that it is going well. Good for him. I see Adam quite often. He owns the big hotel on the mountainside. We used to stay there for Gossie events and things so I’d see him there. Cameron moved away, but he keeps in touch. Says he’s thinking about coming back. Has some project or other in mind. All very mysterious.”
I raise my eyebrows. “A mystery indeed. What does he do?”
Corran chuckles. “He’s a man of leisure. Started a tech company that he sold for a vast amount of money a couple of years ago. Now he’s looking for something to spend his money on. Probably going to buy an estate or something.”
I roll my eyes. “Sounds like Cammy.”
Corran takes a long draught of his tea. “So, are you going to be staying in Oakheart Glen?”
“Probably. I want to be here for Dad, you know. Then, well, we’ll see what happens.”
“So, the traveling days are over?”
“It wasn’t exactly travelling. It was work.” I give him a stern look.
“Indeed. My apologies.” He ducks his head, suitably chastened. “So…?”
“So, what?”
“Are you staying here?”
“You are a pest,” I declare, swatting his arm. “I don’t know. I haven’t made up my mind what I’m going to do yet. To be honest, it is all a bit overwhelming. I’m not really sure what I want to do yet. I’ve got a lot of things I’d like to do, but I just don’t feel ready to really get going with anything.” I pause, gathering my thoughts. “I feel a bit…directionless. And I don’t like it.”
He gives me a sympathetic smile. “I get it, I really do. It is a big change. After I retired last year, it took me months to get my head back in the game. I was lucky though, I had the farm to focus on. And you have your dad.”
“Yeah, looks like I might be spending quite a bit of time at Meadow View.”
A thought flutters across my mind and I blurt, “Corran…you wouldn’t…uh…nah, never mind.” I manage to get a grip on my thoughts before my crazy idea spills out into the air.
Corran looks at me, his blue eyes a mixture of concern and amusement.
“Go on?”
“No, forget it. I was just thinking aloud. It is a daft idea. Just ignore me.”
“How could I ever ignore you?” he asks, his blue eyes boring into me.
