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“Thank god.” Cameron exhales, tickling my scalp. His face drops into the crook of my neck and I blink to see Beau smiling down at me through a mask.
“Oh god.” I pull her to me. She wriggles into my hold, and I tuck her right into my chest and sob quietly. “What happened?” I don't recall anything other than coming round in the hospital without Beau and falling into a blind panic.
“A fire,” Cam says. “Let me get the nurse.”
What! Oh no, my father’s house. I look round the room in a panic, trying to search my mind for any memory of what happened.
“The house?” My voice is hoarse and uncomfortable. I raise my arm round Beau and rub at my neck.
“Let me get you some water.” Cam slips free and presses a button beside my bed. He fills up a glass, puts a straw in, and gives Beau a little wink. “Mind out, squirt.” He grins, and Beau grabs her mask and clambers between my legs and out of the way. Cam gently removes my mask and puts the straw to my lips. “Little sips.” His brows furrow in concern when I suck deeply.
“The house?” I ask. Cam shakes his head. “Burnt down?” I tear up.
“Downstairs is pretty much uninhabitable. Faulty electrics in the kitchen,” Cam informs me and pulls my mask even further down and leans in, pressing a soft kiss on my cracked lips.
“Our belongings?” I blink tearfully. It can’t all be gone.
“Your mother is at the house with a few others trying to salvage what they can.”
“How long have I been out?” I blurt, wheezing.
“Well, I hear Olympics deserve the most rest.” He smirks, and I laugh hoarsely.
“Is that so?”
“Like I said, that's what I’ve heard.” He replaces my mask and puts the water on the side. I'm still smiling when he turns back to me. “You were admitted yesterday, so only a few hours, really.”
“Okay.”
“From what Dan has said, it's mainly damage to the downstairs. It’s just stuff, though, Holly.” He smiles when my eyes well up. “You and Beau are safe, and that's what matters.”
“And my Cam Castle,” Beau chirps from the end of the bed.
“Most importantly.” He winks at me. I can’t believe he is here. I grip his hand tightly and let out a shuddering breath. “You know, if you wanted me to come home so badly, you should have just said. No need to set the arsonist to work.” He nods over his shoulder to Beau, who is twiddling with the hospital band round her wrist, oblivious to his comment.
I laugh and cup my throat in pain. “Where’s the fun in that?” I whisper, my throat constricting painfully.
“Baby, no more talking.” He pecks my cheek. “Where the hell is the nurse?” He presses the button again. “I’ll be back.”
A week later,I’m sitting quietly in the passenger seat as we pull up outside Cameron’s house. Apparently, the family who were renting the property are now going through a divorce, so the place has been empty for weeks. I hadn't even noticed.
I didn't want to see the burnt-out windows of our house, so we drove the long way home, coming into Richmond from the country lane and straight to Cameron’s home.
“Hi, Mummy!” Beau waves at me from the front door, my mother standing at her side. I wave through the window and unclip my belt, getting out. Cam threads his fingers with mine, and I smile softly up at him. We haven’t discussed our relationship or mentioned the past. I'm not sure we need to. I just know I love this man and he loves me too.
“Hey, boo.” My voice is still hoarse, and any physical activity leaves me breathless. Even the short walk from the car to his door makes me worn out. “I missed you.”
“Mummy, come on. Look at this big house,” Beau says excitedly. I hadn’t really paid any attention to the house when I turned up the night before Cameron left. I feel like I'm seeing it through new eyes for the first time. I recall coming in here as a teenager and finding the place dated and dark, but it’s now openplan and furnished in fresh colours. “Cam made this.” Beau hugs the sideboard, making him laugh.
“Not that one, but I did make those patterns.” My little girl traces her finger over the swirls. It’s stunning and so authentic.
“Cameron, it's beautiful,” I say, looking around. My mother comes over and gives me a quick hug. “Hi, thank you for watching Beau.” I hug her tightly.
“Of course. She’s my granddaughter.” She tuts on a playful eye roll. “You're looking better.” She gives my cheeks a soft pat. I know she and Beau stayed here last night when my girl was discharged, but prior to that, she has been staying at a hotel in Barton not too far away.
“I feel it.” I smile.
“Baby, sit down, and I’ll get you a drink.” Cameron had mentioned back in the hospital that our belongings had either been sent to Cam’s or put into storage, courtesy of Dan. I take a seat and Beau scrambles up onto my lap. I smile and yawn, already feeling shattered.
