‘And when were you planning to do this? Tomorrow?’
‘Now,’ she said simply. ‘I thought I’d made that clear?’
‘Now?’
‘I need to get to Bristol tonight. Every hour I waste here is an hour less with Dad.’ She took a breath, steadying herself. ‘I understand this is asking the impossible. Please, Nick. Will you try? For her.’
Nick glanced at the beach. Kitty and Emily were crouched in the sand. Emily threw her head back and laughed at something Kitty said, curls bouncing in the sun.
Nick exhaled and ran a hand through his hair. ‘Alright,’ he said. ‘A few days. But if it doesn’t work, or she’s unhappy, you come and get her. No arguments.’
Carla nodded, relief flooding her face. ‘Deal.’
He rubbed the back of his neck. ‘And I want a DNA test done. Soon.’
‘I’ve got a kit in the car,’ she said.
He huffed a laugh, half disbelief, half resignation. ‘Of course you do.’
‘Thank you,’ she said quietly.
‘Don’t thank me yet,’ he grumbled.
Carla blinked hard, fighting tears. ‘I’ll get her things from the car. She’s got her iPad. FaceTime at six, always before bed. And if she wants to call earlier, she can.’
‘Right.’
‘It’s only for a few days.’
A few days. He could handle that, surely? The large portrait of his parents hanging above the fireplace caught Nick’s eye through the bifold doors. He shivered. According to the date on his watch, he had four weeks before his parents were due home from their cruise. By then, Emily would be long gone, and he could put off the moment his dad found out all his worst fears were confirmed and his son was the failure he’d always thought him to be. A shiver ran through him. If there were a way of keeping Emily secret from his parents, he’d find it.
‘I’ll make up the spare room.’
Chapter 9
Kitty was collecting shells for Emily’s sandcastle when she noticed Nick and Carla walking down the staircase. She waved and made her way towards them, casting a quick glance at Emily to check she was still engrossed in her building work. Despite the mess she’d stumbled into, she was glad of the time she’d spent with Emily. The girl was bright and funny, and for the first time since she’d arrived in Saffron Bay, Kitty had felt comfortable in her own skin.
‘Has she been alright?’ asked Carla, glancing over Kitty’s shoulder.
‘She’s been great. She’s a credit to you.’
Carla’s beaming smile was replaced by eyes brimming with tears. ‘I don’t want to say goodbye. We’ve never been apart for even one night. And now I’m leaving her with a virtual stranger.’
Kitty glanced at Nick, who was hanging back and looking decidedly uncomfortable with his hands wedged in his pockets. ‘You’re leaving her here today?’
Carla sniffed, dabbing her eyes with a tissue. She squared her shoulders. ‘I’m not a bad mum.’
‘I never said you were.’ Kitty placed a hand on Carla’s arm. ‘I’m surprised, that’s all.’
‘I have to go today. My dad is so poorly, each day could be his last, and I don’t want him to die alone.’
Nick stepped forward and cleared his throat. ‘Don’t worry, Emily will be fine with us.’
Us? Kitty frowned at Nick as panic bubbled in her chest. There was nousin this situation, and she very much hoped he wasn’t referring to her. In response, Carla walked to where Emily was adding shells and pebbles to the walls of her sandcastle. She crouched as the child pointed proudly to her work, then Carla placed her hands on Emily’s shoulders, their smiles dropping as she spoke.
Kitty watched, too far away to hear what was being said. Her heart went out to both mother and daughter. She turned to Nick, the third party in the drama. ‘Are you alright? You’ve gone very pale.’
He swallowed. ‘This is all a bit much. I can’t get my head around it.’
