Callum nodded. “She’s the vet on the programme that’s being filmed. We’re going to be spending three months together.”
I was quiet for a moment while I thought. Callum, to my knowledge, had never had a girlfriend that had lasted more than a few dates. He’d never expressed any interest in seeing someone seriously. “Cal, when did you first meet her?”
“Fresher’s Week at university.”
“Fuck.” My eyes opened wide in surprise. “That long?”
Callum nodded. “That long. Let’s not talk about it anymore.”
I shook my head. “Sorry, Cal, that’s not how this is going to work.”
“It is, Aves. Apart from Mum, you’re the only one I’ve had this conversation with,” he said. “It’s not going to happen with her. I need to get over that and move on. There’s no point talking about her.”
“Have I met her?” I was immediately curious as to what this girl was like who had broken my brother’s heart.
He thought. “Probably. There was a summer when I had a party at home and some university friends came and stayed for a couple of days – we took over the cottage. She was one of the ones who came. With her boyfriend at the time.”
“What did she look like?”
He smiled and shook his head. “Not like you’d expect.”
“So not tall, skinny with fake boobs then?” I said.
Callum glared.
“Max said I’d find you two here. And who’s tall with fake boobs and is she single?” Seph was lingering just near enough to overhear the last line, thus ending our conversation. “It’s not a nurse is it?”
Callum stood up and shook his head, picking up his coffee. “One fucking track mind.”
“Like you’re any better. Eli was asking for you, Aves. The doctor’s been to see him.” Seph smacked Callum on the back.
I stood straightaway, feeling as if someone had just poked me with a cattle prod.
“Ava,” Callum said. “Chill.”
Seph shook his head. “We had a wedding yesterday. Give us a few months at least before the next one.”
I garbled something completely unintelligible and stropped off, totally agreeing with Callum’s instruction but hating Seph’s insinuation. I knew they could see what I felt, they were just mature enough now to not be completely in my face about it, although I was pretty sure if it was a day when the object of my affection hadn’t sustained a nasty injury, they’d be more brutal right now.
“Before you head off, do you want me to pick Queenie up from Nick’s and take her home with me tonight? I’ll drop her off with you tomorrow,” Callum said loudly as I gained distance.
I stopped and turned round. “Please, she’ll probably need a break from the twins.” There had been no problem with doggy day care since I’d taken Queenie in. In all honesty, she was becoming a proper family dog and was in high demand from the people with kids and those – like Max and Vic – who just wanted an excuse for a walk in the country.
“I’m on it, sis.” He gave me his cocky smile, the one that I was most familiar with and I tried to stop my heart breaking for his.
Eli was sitting up when I returned to the ward. He had more colour in him, mainly due to the painkillers kicking in and he grinned when he saw me. “I’m good to go,” he said. “But I’m back on Tuesday to see the specialist and look at how the swelling’s doing.”
He had a boot on his foot to protect his ankle and two new crutches that were probably a better size than the ones he’d borrowed from the rugby club. He was also looking more relaxed.
“Are you good to go?”
He nodded. “Everything here.” He held up a bag of medication. “I need a shower when we get back. I might need your help.” He wiggled his eyebrows.
“Why do I walk in on these conversations?” Seph said, seemingly appearing from nowhere. “Things I don’t want to hear. I swear I’m going to start giving you all the bills for my therapy.”
I looked at Eli whose face was creased with laughter.
“We’ll just get you a collar and bell so we know when you’re approaching,” I said to Seph. “It’ll be cheaper.”
