It was just the beginning.
Chapter 8
“ThenafterItaly,weflew back to London, stayed another few days with my friend Rick, and then flew to Singapore.”
Dan listened to Libby as they strolled back toAre Moanaalong the main road that ringed the island.He could’ve headed back along the quicker beach route, but Libby had said she needed to get Karim to sleep in his pushchair, and it would’ve been awkward to have headed back to the same place taking different paths, especially after the surprisingly pleasant lunch they’d had.
“Singapore was amazing but expensive for us,” she said.“We only stayed two nights, mooched around, then moved on to New Zealand.Where I guess we mooched around some more.You’ve got to take things slow with children.Well, there’s slow, and then there’s toddler slow.No climbing mountains for us just yet, but we saw a whole bunch of wonderful stuff and met so many nice people…”
Libby never seemed to run out of words, but Dan enjoyed the relaxing, soft tone of her accent, and her tales of adventure were just the distraction he needed.His hip was aching again, and he didn’t want Mum and Zeezee to see him stressed.
“You’re frowning again, Cranky.What’s up?”
“Aw, nothing really.”Dan looked around, from the lush green mountains on his right to the glimpses of turquoise sea through the trees on his left.“I’m just working through some stuff.”
“You’ll feel better when your mom arrives.”
“And now I feel six years old.”
Libby snickered.“I hope I can still soothe and comfort Karim when he’s all grown up.I wish I had that kind of bond with my mother.”
Despite all her talking, this was the first time Libby had mentioned any family, and because their conversation had flowed in all sorts of directions, Dan hadn’t yet thought to ask anything direct about her.
“Where does your mum live, Libby?”
“Crescent City, on the north Californian coast.”
“Is that where you’re from?”
“Yeah, my parents still live there in the same house I grew up in.”She strolled on, not elaborating.Dan’s gaze dipped to Karim, still fast asleep in his pushchair.
“And is it just you and Karim?”Dan prompted.
“Yeah.”She looked at her napping son, and her eyes softened.“His father is no longer with us.”
Oh, god.“I’m so sorry.”Dan halted.Libby was a widow?That hadn’t even crossed his mind.“I didn’t mean to…”
“Eh?Oh!”Libby burst out laughing.“Your face!Gosh, no, his father’s not dead or anything.He’s just no longer with us.When I was pregnant, Elliot didn’t want to know.”She shrugged, like the guy had passed on an offer of a mint rather than taking responsibility for his child.“I have Karim all to myself.”
“He looks a lot like you.”Her son had the same dark eyes, the same nose and mouth.His hair was a deep brown, like Dan assumed Libby’s would be, if not for the pink and purple dye.They began walking again, but her words about Karim’s father had him shaking his head in disbelief.“So, this guy Elliot just walked away?”
“Pretty much.”Libby’s gaze dipped back to her son, but this time, her forehead crinkled, as if her thoughts had just stepped in something murky.
He shouldn’t pry.It was none of his business.But really, what kind of man disowned his child?“Sounds like you had a lucky escape, if that’s how he turned out to be.”
“I know, right?Why would I want someone like him in my child’s life?”Her face brightened.“And look where we are.”
“Living it up on a tropical island.”
“Correct.But I meant more specifically.”She nodded to the sign above their heads.Are Moana.Dan hadn’t seen the front of the place in daylight yet and hadn’t recognized it.He also hadn’t realized they’d walked so far already.No wonder his body ached so much.
“I’ll get my things together,” Libby said.“Serita’s booked a cab to pick Karim and me up at four p.m.It’s almost that now.”
They made their way across the little garden to the bungalow.Libby parked her son up outside and went in for her bag.
“Here, let me get that for you,” Dan said, reaching for her backpack.
“No, I’ve got this, big guy.The bag and I are close friends.”
