Seb answered me with a nod of the head and left me with the distinct impression he was looking forward to our first meeting as much as a visit to the dentist.
Chapter Nineteen
Ifound Bertie and Pat playing chess in the sitting room. Neither looked up when I walked in, both engrossed in their next move. I perched myself on a chaise longue that had seen better days and watched Bertie’s forehead crease as he frowned at the board, moving the pawn in his hand back and forth until he picked the right move.
‘You took my knight,’ said Pat, throwing his head in his hands. ‘I thought you said you’d never played before?’
‘I haven’t, have I, Mum?’
‘No, he’s telling the truth, Pat.’ I smiled at Bertie, who grinned alternately at me and his opponent.
‘Then I think I’ve met my match.’
It took a further twenty minutes before the game concluded with Pat declaring check mate.
‘Good game, young man,’ said Pat, holding out his hand.
Bertie reached across and shook it. ‘Thank you for playing fairly. I hate it when people go easy on me ’cause I’m a kid.’
‘Well, well, a jolly good loser too. You’ve raised this boy well, Liv.’
‘Thank you.’ I wondered where Bertie had learned to be a good sport. Certainly not from his father, who flew into a temper reminiscent of McEnroe if he lost a tennis match, or any game for that matter. Mind you, with Hugo and Marion for parents, it was clear where Rob’s attitude came from.
‘What are your plans for today?’ Pat asked, packing away the chess set.
‘Actually, I was about to talk to Bertie about an idea I’ve had.’
‘That sounds like my cue to leave,’ said Pat. ‘Will you be swimming again tomorrow morning?’
‘Only if it’s not too much trouble for you to come up to the house again?’
‘Trouble?’ Pat laughed. ‘The only trouble will come if your son beats me at our re-match. I’m going to make myself a cup of tea before I head home. Would you like one?’
‘That would be lovely, thank you.’
Pat left the room and Bertie came to sit beside me. ‘What did you want to talk to me about? Has Dad called you?’
‘No, darling, I’m afraid he hasn’t. I’ve been thinking about what we should do, and I wondered how you’d feel about staying here until the summer holidays?’
‘Really? We can stay longer?’
‘If that’s what you’d like?’
‘Yeah, I’d love it. I can help Harry with the animals and play chess with Pat. And Stephan said he’d take me fishing down at the lake.’
‘That all sounds wonderful, but if we stay here for a few months, we’ll have to see about you going back to school.’
Bertie’s eyes darkened. ‘But you said I’d never have to go back. If you make me see that polla Jack Jamison again, I’ll run away. I promise, I’ll do it.’
‘Bertie,’ I said, pulling him closer to me. ‘I’m not talking about sending you back to your old school. I thought we could see if there are any spaces at the local school in the village.’
Bertie frowned. ‘Or, I could not go to any school, and just learn how to do stuff on the farm.’
‘I’m afraid that’s not an option. You’ve got to go to school somewhere. It’s the law.’
‘You mean I’ll be arrested if I don’t go to school?’
‘No, but I could get a fine.’ I kept quiet about the option of home-schooling, knowing if I mentioned it, I’d never get Bertie to darken the door of any school ever again.
