“We’ve grown quite close with the Wellands recently, they’re absolutely lovely. And now that you’re finally back in Stratford, we thought it only right to introduce you properly…”
Dad clears his throat, softly but firmly. That gentle nudge he reserves only for her. “Isabel, darling, maybe you should grab your coat? We can carry on chatting on the way.”
“But Evan!” she snaps. “Surely you’re not suggesting Sebastian shows up at the Dirty Duck looking like that?”
I glance down instinctively. Black jeans. Hoodie. Perfectly clean. Actually, stylish, even. “Mum, what’s wrong with what I’m wearing? It’s clean. And kind of fashionable, if you ask me.”
“Oh, don’t be ridiculous, Sebastian…” She dismisses me with a flick of her hand. “Go upstairs and put on the outfit I laid out on your bed. Assuming you haven’t changed size, it should still fit.”
“I’ve got plenty of clothes in my suitcase,” I try, quietly. But she’s already moved on.
“Evan, be a darling and take that… that thing upstairs, would you?”
She glances at my suitcase like it might crawl across the floor. “I dread to think what’s inside. You know Sebastian’s always been delicate, he can’t even lift it himself.”
Heat creeps up my neck. Humiliation pricks behind my eyes. I blink hard, pushing it down.
And she’s not done. As she sweeps past me towards the hall, she tosses one last dagger over her shoulder. “Oh, and do something with that hair, would you, Sebastian? You look like a stray with that lock of hair in your eyes.”
Boiling with silent rage, I turn and follow Dad upstairs. He lugs the heavy suitcase to my room and drops it by the bed with a faint grunt, then gives me that familiar, mildly sympathetic look.
“Try not to take it to heart, son. You know she just wants the best for you…”
“Dad,” I sigh, exasperated. “I’m an adult. Don’t you think I can figure out what’s best for myself?”
He doesn’t answer, just shakes his head and gives my shoulder a quick pat. It’s meant to be comforting, but it only fans the flames.
“Get changed and sort your hair,” he says, already turning to leave. “We’re waiting downstairs. Don’t take too long, you know how your mother is about punctuality.”
Once I’m alone, the tension erupts. I yank off my clothes and throw them to the floor, jaw clenched, chest tight. I want to scream, but I don’t. That would only make things worse.
Why does she always have to control everything? Why is nothing I do ever good enough?
If I still lived here, I’d have completely lost it by now. Just a couple more days, then I’ll be back in London.
Back to… what, exactly? I’m not even sure where home is anymore. But I know where Iwantto be.
With Remi.
My eyes fall to my phone, lying half-hidden on the floor. I snatch it up, suddenly desperate to hear from him. But I don’t even have to type a word.
He’s already messaged me.
REMI TEXT:
HEY BABY, ALL OKAY? HAVEN’T HEARD FROM YOU.
HOPE THE JOURNEY WENT WELL, AND THAT COMING OUT TO YOUR PARENTS IS GOING SMOOTHLY.
I KNOW IT’S NOT THE SAME AS WITH THE OTHERS, BUT I DO KNOW HOW STRONG AND BRAVE YOU ARE. YOU’VE GOT THIS.
MET WITH FRANCIS TODAY, IT WENT EVEN BETTER THAN EXPECTED. CAN’T WAIT TO TELL YOU EVERYTHING. JUST KNOW WE’VE GOT HIS FRIENDSHIP AND SUPPORT.
THAT MAKES THE NEXT STEPS MUCH EASIER.COME BACK SOON. I MISS YOU.
AND IF YOU NEED ANYTHING AT ALL, CALL ME. I’M ALWAYS HERE.
CAN’T WAIT TO HEAR FROM YOU ??
