“Happy now?”
“Yes. You make me happy.”
“I’m glad because you make me happy too.”
Newt’s phone rang. He looked at the number and frowned. “Hello?”
Newt hadn’t put it on speaker so River couldn’t hear what was being said, but he saw at once that it was bad news and guessed it was about Phelan. Newt had paled.
“And they won’t come?” Newt asked. “Right… Okay… Yes. I will. Tell him I’m coming.”
Newt tossed his phone down and started to get dressed. “Phelan… They don’t think he has long. My fucking family don’t want to go and see him. Too fucking painful, my arse! I can’t believe them. Phelan wants someone he knows with him. Is it too much to fucking ask?”
“No.” River got out of bed and pulled on his clothes.
“You don’t have to come,” Newt said. “I think I can trust you not to set fire to the place. Just don’t let anyone in.”
“I’m coming with you.”
Newt shot him a little smile and nodded.
River had offered to drive but Newt took the wheel. They made the journey to Mountford Hospice more quickly than they had the first time. River hoped they weren’t too late.
Newt signed in, followed by River, who had his mask inplace, and they hurried to Phelan’s room. A nurse was in there with him. His eyes were closed and he was fighting to breathe, his chest rising and falling in spasmodic jerks.
“Your brother’s here now, Phelan,” she said and left the room.
Newt sat at his brother’s side and took hold of his hand. “Bloody hell, your hands are cold.” He wrapped his other hand around Phelan’s too and rubbed gently.
Phelan opened his eyes. “Newt?”
“I couldn’t let you do this on your own.”
River sat at the side of the room. It was painful to watch. River was torn between wanting it to end and hoping Newt had as much time with his brother as he needed.
“I was scared.” Phelan moaned quietly.
“I’m here now.” Newt took off his shoes and climbed onto the bed, resting his head on the pillow next to Phelan’s.
“Did you see the photo I sent you yesterday?” He held his phone so Phelan could see. “Remember that open-top bus you took me on and it poured with rain? We got soaked, but we stayed in our seats.”
Phelan nodded and his lips curved in a smile.
River sat and listened as Newt talked and talked. Phelan’s eyes closed and River didn’t know if he was conscious or not, but Newt kept telling him about things they’d done, the times Phelan had been good to him, the things Newt had bought with money Phelan had given him. How much he hated cars. Sometimes Phelan had smiled. If he didn’t count his father, and he hadn’t actually seen him after he’d fallen, River had never watched anyone die. He didn’t really know Phelan, but it was still hard to witness a life ending. It made his heart ache for Newt.
Phelan’s breathing turned ragged and he looked straightat Newt. River had no idea how Newt was holding himself together because River was crying.
“Don’t be scared,” Newt said. “I’m here with you. And I love you. I forgive you. You were a good brother. Much better than Sean and I know you struggled with what you did. But I forgive you. I love you and I forgive you.” Newt was crying now.
Phelan’s breathing grew noisier with longer gaps.
Then silence.
“Oh God,” Newt gasped. He hugged Phelan to him and sobbed.
As they pulled through the gates to the house, River sighed with relief.Thank fuck for the Aston’s navigation and cruise control.He’d driven back and Newt had been silent at his side for most of the journey. They’d not stopped to get anything to eat and River was starving. He wondered if he’d manage to persuade Newt to eat some pasta.
They put the car in the garage and went into the house.
