‘You still smell pretty good to me. Salty and beachy like always. Eau de Niall.’
‘Cheap and cheerful.’
‘Yeah. Listen, when we get back to the house, let’s go somewhere and talk.’
‘Uh-oh. This sounds ominous.’ There were traces of concern in Niall’s voice, but he was too enamoured with the puppy to fully take in the implications of the imminent conversation.
In fact, he seemed to forget entirely, as with Massimo returned to his crate, Niall sat back down at the table with his siblings and engaged in chatter and fun with them once more. She could leave it for now, but worries were blazing around Carli’s brain. Niall’s family were wonderful, but if they weren’t going to be her family, she couldn’t get attached to them again. She caught Niall’s eye across the table and the happiness on his face froze a little. She nodded back towards the door and he stood up.
‘’Scuse us for a minute,’ he said.
Out in the hall, Carli leaned against the wall. He moved forward, large frame eclipsing her. ‘What’s up, Cass?’ He might be tall, but his voice was low with concern.
‘I can’t do this, Niall.’
‘Sorry, what? Can’t do what?’
‘This. That. Sit in there with your family like I’m part of the picture when I can’t be.’
His eyes darkened and narrowed with confusion. ‘What are you talking about, not part of the picture? Of course you’re part of the picture. You’ve always been part of the picture.’
‘I can see things you can’t. Can we go somewhere else?’The sounds of the siblings chattering in the kitchen wasn’t the best backdrop for what might be a devastating conversation.
‘Um, sure.’ Niall’s face was drawn with concern. ‘The library?’
She bit her lip. The library was where they had made fond memories. She didn’t want it to be a place of sadness. But what did it matter? If this was the end again then it was the end forever, so it didn’t matter where it ended.
‘Sure.’
‘Are you about to end it?’ Niall asked, suddenly.
Carli’s heart boomed out of her chest. ‘Can we talk in the library?’
Niall swallowed hard, but the voice that came out was non-negotiable, like neolithic rock. ‘No. Talk here.’
‘Maybe you need to be here with them.’ She motioned into the kitchen. ‘You want to be with me but maybe that’s not what you need.’
‘You think I need my family more than you?’ Niall’s voice held challenge.
‘Well, most people don’t have to make that choice, but when it comes down to it and your personal circumstances right now, possibly you do. Your dad is dying, he’s been the central force in your life, even if you don’t realise it. You should be around your brothers and sisters in this place where you’re so grounded. Niall, you’re mending here. It’s obvious. Even that kid on the beach is part of the deal. You want to give back to the place that raised you. I can read your heart.’
‘Oh, you can, can you?’
‘Kind of yeah.’
‘Aye, well you clearly can’t read it very well because inhere…’ Niall thumped at his chest with his fist. ‘Is you. Okay?’
‘Um…okay.’
‘You think you aren’t part of the reason I’m mending? Come on, woman. Wise up, as Mr McInally used to say.’
Carli tipped her head to the side. ‘You’re bringing him into this?’
‘To prove my point, yes.’ Niall’s gaze was so raw with betrayal that Carli was practically pinned to the wall by it, so when he held out his hand and said, ‘Come with me,’ it was like he was dragging her out of a stupor. Nonetheless, she took it – the warm, slightly rough touch comforting her – and let him lead her to the stairs, ascending without argument.
‘This isn’t the way to the library.’ She sounded like a feeble heroine in one of the old-fashioned romance books Niall’s mum owned.
‘We’re taking a detour.’
