She’s silent for a moment and I know straight away I’ve hit the nail on the head. Eventually, she says, “Things aren’t so straightforward, that’s all.”
“Didn’t he want you to leave?”
“It’s not that. Me being in England just causes complications. But you know, this is my job, which I love, and I can’t let you or Ozzie down. You’re my first priority.”
She’s so loyal, but if she really loves this guy, I don’t want her to feel like she has to choose. “Well, I appreciate that, Connie, but I don’t want to get in the way of true love, so if he ever wants to come and stay or you need more time with him, I’d be happy to get that arranged?—”
“That won’t be necessary.” Her interruption causes her cheeks to flush pink and I guess I’ve embarrassed her all over again. “I’m here to look after Ozzie so you can work. I don’t need any distractions.” She half smiles briefly while her hands fidget.
“Well, if you change your mind, you only have to say. You’re entitled to time off and I won’t expect you to work additional hours. Plus, I could spend some more time with Oz. He’ll be feeling it now that his mum isn’t around so much.”
Her hands clasp together and her eyes focus on their washing motion. “May I speak openly for a moment?” Her tone is so formal.
“Sure. What’s up?”
Her fingers link together and she continues to look towards them as she speaks. “Don’t be surprised if Ozzie takes his mum’s absence better than you expect. I don’t want to speak out of turn here, but remember how I called you a couple of times when Mrs Graham didn’t come home?”
“Yeah, I remember,” I answer, crossing my arms.
“Well, it was a little more than that. Sometimes she would leave us for days while you were touring, and Ozzie was just fine.”
“Did she now.” I answer sarcastically. I’m not even surprised.
“Yeah,” she says, continuing to look down. “Anyway, I thought you should know.”
“Why didn’t you tell me at the time?”
“I didn’t want to get Mrs Graham in trouble, and the only reason I called you first was because I was worried something had happened to her. After a while, I got used to it, I suppose.”
My jaw clenches. Hard. “Thank you. I appreciate your honesty,” I say, looking out the tiny window.
“And Tommy?” She says, gaining my attention again. “I just want to tell you how sorry I am that Brett is leaving the band.” Her lips form a sympathetic line.
“Thanks, Connie.” I smile. She’s a good kid.
She picks up her book and begins to read, while I settle back in my seat and make a mental list of things to do. It includes checking in with a certain friend of mine. I haven’t spoken to Angie yet, although I’m guessing she knows I’m on my way to Braebeach. There isn’t much she and Calla don’t talk about, which is why I’m also guessing she knows I’m no longer with my wife.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
TOMMY
It’s weird.I was expecting to see Angie as soon as we arrived, but it didn’t happen. Calla said she’s been working long hours, and when she isn’t at the kitchen showroom, she’s spending time with Josh. I get that, but we’ve been here for two days now. It’s just strange she hasn’t been around yet.
Calla and Ash really made us welcome. Ozzie loves spending time with their kids, even if he was a little nervous at first, and although Connie has been quiet, especially when other people are around, she’s enjoying the sea air. She spends a lot of time on the beach with Oz and takes long walks once she’s got him to bed.
Today, the British weather is living up to its rainy reputation, but it gives me and the boys time to re-group.
We sit around in Ash’s music room at the side of the house, drinking beer and talking music while we experiment with different riffs. Ash has a nice place here with an old leather sofa, a mixing desk, and every musical instrument you can imagine, including a grand piano. It’s the perfect environment to write music. The noise of crashing waves from the open window creates an atmosphere of calm, which is theopposite of what’s happening outside the gates at the front of the house. The press has camped out there for days.
It’s weird that Brett isn’t around, and I keep expecting him to walk through the door and surprise us. I miss him. I’ve been in a state of anger since he left, but now I’m sad he’s gone. In fact, I miss him more than Chelsea, and out of the two, Brett has more chance of coming back into my life than she does.
I went back on my decision to keep Chelsea in the dark about our trip, but she’s never answered my calls or voice messages. Not once.
I have mixed feelings today. “It’s time we made some firm decisions, guys.”
On one hand, it’s sad making plans without Brett and moving on, but on the other hand, I feel free. Towards the end of Brett’s time with us, we were walking on eggshells around him. Now we have time to re-group, relax, and plan our future, hassle free.
After a minute of getting ourselves together, I pose the question my other two brothers are avoiding. “So, how do we do this without Brett?”
