‘What are you thinking?’ Lissa raised an eyebrow and scanned Sam’s face like she was trying to work something out.
‘Nothing much.’ He gave an innocent little shrug… It maybe wasn’t true, but he couldn’t work out exactly what hewasactually thinking about. The thoughts were too abstract to catch or to make any sense at all out of.
Sam and Kaleb jogged side by side along the riverside path in Glenbriar, their steps kicking up dust and the occasional scatter of stones. Pale wintery sunlight glowed through the leafless branches overhead. It was still chilly, though quite pleasant to run in. Better than constant rain.
Originally from Somerset, Sam had acclimatised since moving to Scotland, but he missed the very hot summers they had back home – though not as much as he missed his lovely mum and sister. But he’d made the choice to move with Kaleb and Jacob. And Perthshire was the nicest place they’d lived so far.
‘Has Mum heard anything else about her job yet?’ he asked Kaleb as they jogged.
‘Don’t think so. She hasn’t said anything to me.’
‘And how was school?’ Sam glanced at Kaleb, who was tall and skinny with gangly legs. He was at that funny age where he hadn’t quite grown into his height yet. His fair hair was curly, flopped over his forehead.
Kaleb shrugged, barely breaking his rhythm. ‘All right. Got moved to the front row in maths, though.’
‘Oh, yeah? What happened?’
‘Eh, just… chatting, you know.’ Kaleb grinned, and Sam matched him, shaking his head.
‘Well, maybe you’ll actually pay attention now.’
Kaleb snorted, picking up his pace. ‘You sound like my teacher.’
‘Just as well I’m not.’ They rounded a bend, heading down a slope closer to the riverbank. Up ahead was the bridge known locally as the wobbly bridge – because of the way it swayed when people crossed it. Emerging from the arch at the end of it was a young woman in a belted cream coat and trainers. She was looking down, chatting to a fluffy little dog. Sam had a moment of uncertainty before the woman looked up.
‘Clara.’ He came to a stop just in front of her, and Kaleb stopped too, almost knocking into him.
‘Oh my god, Sam, hi.’ She took hold of her glossy brown hair, bunched it up and tossed it over her shoulder.
‘Hi. I didn’t expect to see you.’ Though he knew she lived in a cottage on the Glenvorneth Estate near Glenbriar, so there was no reason why not.
‘I just nipped down to do some shopping, and I thought I’d walk Skye here for a change. I don’t think she was keen on the bridge though.’
‘It’s a bit unnerving, isn’t it?’ Sam ran his hand across his sweaty brow. ‘This is Kaleb, by the way. Jacob’s at a party, and we’re using the time to run.’
‘Hey.’ Kaleb raised his hand to wave, then shoved his floppy fringe off his face – it promptly fell back exactly where it had been.
‘Aw, lovely to meet you. I’ve heard so much about you from your dad.’ Clara beamed at him.
Kaleb smirked at Sam, then fake punched his arm. ‘That’s why he’s the top man.’
‘And this is Skye, is it?’ Sam bent down to pat the little white dog, tickling her under the chin.
‘Yes, aw, she loves that.’
Sam smiled as Skye nuzzled into his hand.
‘Your dad is wonderful,’ Clara went on, obviously talking to Kaleb. Already warm from the run, Sam wondered if his cheeks could get hotter. ‘You’re a lucky boy.’
Sam straightened up to see her patting Kaleb’s arm. Kaleb shared a look with him, obviously wondering if she knew the truth of their situation, but Sam said nothing. He’d never told anyone, though there must be people who knew through his ex, and possibly people the boys had told.
‘It’s nice to meet Skye in person.’ Sam smiled at Clara. ‘Such a sweet little thing.’ He bent down and patted Skye’s fluffy head once more. ‘Yes, you’re very sweet.’ When he straightened, he caught Clara’s eye. ‘Well, we’d better keep going. It’ll soon be time to go for Jacob.’ He gave Kaleb a sideways glance.
Clara tilted her head, stepping forward. ‘Aw, don’t let me hold you up.’ She opened her arms and, before Sam could process what she was doing, leaned in for a hug. Instinctively, he returned it but kept it light, conscious of the sweat clinging to his shirt.
‘You too.’ He gave her a vague pat on the back.
‘It was so nice seeing you, my lovely.’ She gave him a quick squeeze before pulling back. ‘And you, Kaleb. Enjoy the rest of your run.’ She waved them off, Skye trotting beside her as they headed up the path.
