“When you return tomorrow morning, can you watch Lily for a few days?” I ask.
Ellenor tilts her head at me. “Of course… But why? Are the oysters calling?”
“The oysters will keep.”
“Not in my experience. Food poisoning’s a bitch.” Her eyes narrow. “If you’re contemplating what I think you are, Brando—you’re barking mad.”
“Quite possibly,” I admit, still working the plan over in my mind.
She folds her arms, studying me, then she grins. “Ah. A grand gesture, huh? Yeah, it might just pay off for you.” She wiggles her ring finger at me as the lift doors open.
“That’s not why I’m doing it. I have her best interests at heart.”
“So do I, Brando. So do I. And I approve.” She steps into the lift. “Don’t think I haven’t noticed you call herLilynow.” She gives me a mock salute as the doors slide shut. “See you when you get back.”
As I reach Lily’s door, her voice drifts into the hallway—soft, unguarded.
“I don’t want to come home yet, Mum…Ellenor and I had plans. And Brandon…” Her tone changes. Quieter. Bashful. “Yes, I like him… Yes, he wants me to stay.” A pause. I can’t hear her mother, but Lily groans in exasperation.“Mum.”Another pause. “No, of course not forever… Well, we haven’t talked about anything like that, and I really don’t want to right now—” Another groan.“Mum!”
She shifts, and I step back from the doorway, heart pounding with equal parts joy and guilt.
Hearing her say she likes me… Christ. It shouldn’t matter. Not now. She’s feverish, frightened, and held together by painkillers. Mere days away from having her leg cut open and pieced back together. Far too vulnerable for me to eventhinkabout making any advances, and shame on me for letting my mind go there.
Holding her hand, somehow, does not make me feel guilty.
Her voice drops to a whisper I barely catch: “Yes, the surgery’s in four days…No, they can’t do it any sooner…Why? Because they said it’s not an emergency.” She waits, then she snorts softly. “You sound like Ellenor—she said the same thing, then she started swearing at the doctor. She’s lucky they didn’t call security.”
A longer pause. When she speaks again, her voice trembles. “I don’t know if I can, Mum…I’m scared.”
Emotion tightens my chest. I shouldn’t be listening. I force myself to step away—but I only go a few paces before her next words stop me cold.
“I miss you so much.”
The words float like fragile ice in spring.
“Yes, Mum, I’ll try.”
Catherine’s response is muffled with static, as if she’s been put on speakerphone, yet it’s full of tenderness.
“Oh darling…it will all be alright. I just wish I could hug you.”
Lily’s response cracks, “Me too. I miss you so much.”
The ache in her voice is painful to hear.
“Can’t you come to England?”
Her mother’s answer is muffled.
“I understand,” Lily whispers, defeated.
That’s the moment everything crystallises.
She doesn’t need distractions.
She doesn’t need me hovering like a shadow.
She needs her parents.
