Disquiet filled me. I didn’t like the idea of keeping anything from Lewis, especially pertaining to his sister. But once, almost ten years ago, Eilidh had kept a secret for me.
You can tell me anything and I promise not to share it.
I waited impatiently for her response.
I’m lonely
Fuck.
My thumbs hovered over the screen.
I hated the idea of Eilidh out in the world, alone and lonely.
I knew what loneliness felt like. Didn’t wish it on my worst enemy.
Come home, Eils.
She took a few seconds to reply again.
I can’t. I’m under contract to do this film in Romania.
Shit. My thumbs flew over the screen.
Then text me, call me, anytime. I’m here.
I don’t want to bother you.
Eilidh, you’re never bothering me. Promise me you’ll keep in touch.
Okay. I promise.
Three
FYFE
Two years ago
Suffice it to say I’d had my fill of drama, and that was only spectating from the sidelines. The past month I’d watched Lewis and Callie fight and clash, come to a tentative truce, only to discover they were pregnant from their one night together in London. Lewis was handling this news better than I would have. The thought of being responsible for a child filled me with abject terror. I never planned to have kids. But it didn’t surprise me Lewis took it in stride, and though he might not admit it out loud, I think he was ecstatic he and Callie were now tied together for life.
Callie had even agreed to start dating him.
Their drama seemed to be over (other than the infant cooking in Cal’s belly), and I was glad because the whole thing had been a whirlwind of secondhand emotions. Eilidh and I had kept in touch almost every day and had been sharing ourcommentary over the situation like we were on the TV showGogglebox.
Now, however, I was hoping for calm.
When I opened my door that morning, I realized fate wasn’t ready for me to have my calm.
Standing outside next to a small Nissan parked on my driveway was the woman I hadn’t seen or heard from in nearly a decade.
“What are you doing here?” I bit out.
My mum blanched, shifting her weight nervously. The past nine years had been kind to her. Her skin looked healthier. And her hair fuller, shinier. She’d put on a bit of weight and was dressed in a fitted shirt tucked into jeans.
She looked … sober.
“Hiya, son.”
I flinched. “Don’t call me that.”
