‘I’m picturing it now. Sounds perfect for storm watching.’
‘Hmm, kicking up a storm.’ The planning permission had caused a lot of ill feeling with the locals. There had been manyobjections. The place was too big and would shine ‘like a lighthouse’ after dark. They said it overlooked the village and didn’t ‘respect the vernacular architecture’. Jenna had agreed and persuaded Nate to modify the plans until they passed. He said it was how he wanted it anyway and had just gone over the top to give himself plenty of wriggle room.
She broke off to blow her nose, knowing how red it must look.
‘It’s a small community round here. Not as small as yours but – anyway, “house-min” is boring.’ She added, ‘You OK? How was the flinging at the ceilidh?’
‘It was – busy.’ There was a sudden glimpse of real pleasure in his brown eyes, like a curtain being drawn momentarily and revealing a cosy home with a warm fire.Memories, she decided. Happy memories. ‘Great band.’
‘So, you and Iona enjoyed it?’
‘Me and Iona?’
‘Yes. Did you do a lot of flinging?’
‘Oh aye, she enjoyed it all right.’ He smiled again. ‘Shall we talk about the Kilt Challenge? I’ve been thinking about what you told me the last time we spoke. I’d no idea your brother had died. If I seemed shocked, it’s because – well, aye, I was taken aback. I might not have come across as sympathetic – been a bit cold, even. I want you to know that the opposite is true. I was – shocked. It never gets easier to tell people about a loss.’
Jenna’s heart warmed, and she could feel the sincerity in his voice. He truly understood and she wondered if that was because he too had experienced such a loss. She was on the verge of asking him, then remembered that he might consider it prying – and she would be dangerously close to the edge of getting too personal with him.
‘It’s fine, I’m used to it now, or thought I was. I guess this challenge is so close to my heart that ... I thought I could process it and deal with it at arm’s length like any other, but you know ... it’s hard.’
‘Of course it’s hard. To lose a brother at such a young age is – unimaginable.’
‘It was ... it still is, and I felt I had to be strong for my mum and dad. I still do, but I was screaming inside. I used to go out on to the cliffs or a lonely beach and scream at the waves, tell the sky and the world how much I hated it for taking Luke ...’ She lowered her voice. ‘Does that sound mad?’
‘Nothing is mad when you’ve lost someone,’ Cam murmured, seeming to lean forward, almost as if he wanted to hug her through the screen, and Jenna found herself imagining how that would feel. Warm, a little tentative, but heartfelt. A hug like the glow of a cottage fire on a stormy day at the very ends of the earth.
‘Jenna. Can I ask something? You don’t have to answer if it’s painful.’
‘Of course you can ask something. Ask anything.’
A brief smile came and went on his lips, but there was no amusement or happiness in it. ‘If your brother had – this condition – are you ...’
Jenna shook her head. ‘No, thank goodness. After we lost Luke, my parents wanted to do something to help other families, so we took part in a research study. It looked at genetic conditions, including the one that caused his sudden, catastrophic heart attack ...’ She paused for a breath before continuing, because even though she had answered this question a hundred times before, telling Cam felt more emotional. ‘Well, one of the good things we found out was that I didn’t carry the gene.’
‘Oh, Jenna. I’m so sorry about Luke, but it must be a huge relief.’
‘It is. It’s one thing my parents and grandparents don’t have to worry about. Once we discovered how easy it was to detect, we knew we could make a difference to other families. It’s just that most people don’t get checked. The Kilt Challenge will raise money to help make this testing more available and visible so more people can find out. The heartbreaking thing is realising it is detectable and, once detected, people with the condition can be monitored and given advice.’
‘Nate must be so relieved that you’re in the clear,’ Cam added softly, leaving Jenna wondering why she hadn’t included him in her list.
‘Of course,’ she smiled. ‘I was actually single when Luke died ... it was about a year after we lost him that I met up with Nate again. He’s been very kind to my parents – put a new kitchen in, had it all redecorated and did all the repairs. Just stuff that needed doing that they didn’t have the energy or heart to do. He fixed all the problems and turned the house back into a home again – a fresh start. I owe him so much.’ She didn’t really know why she’d gabbled on, especially as it made her throat sore.
‘Practical help like that means a lot. Actions speak louder than words and all that.’
‘Yes ...’ She suddenly remembered herself. ‘Soddy, hold on.’ She grabbed a handful of tissues, grateful that a cold at least had the bonus of disguising tears. ‘Why am I telling you all this? This is meant to be a business call.’
‘Och. I think our calls ceased to be purely business a while ago.’ He spoke with such an old-fashioned gravity, but he was right. She’d been able to tell him things she’d kept from every other living soul, even Nate. She’d mentioned theKilt Challenge a couple of times, but Nate didn’t seem to have picked up on how much it meant to her so Jenna hadn’t pushed the issue.
Jenna started coughing so hard she couldn’t reply.
‘You OK?’
Jenna’s coughs subsided but tears were still running down her face. Cam’s brow furrowed in concern and Jenna realised that he’d asked her the same thing at the exact same moment as Nate, who was standing in the bedroom doorway.
‘Jenna?’ Nate stepped in carrying a steaming mug of something. ‘I brought you some honey and lemon, didn’t realise you were still on your call. Sorry to intrude.’
‘You’re not intruding,’ Jenna said hastily, brushing away the tears. ‘It’s only Cam. I mean, Cam and I had almost finished.’
