I thought he was the one who was confused, until he revealed that Tom had found somewhere to live in Perranporth. He also told me that Tom had chef experience from his time in the navy, another thing I’d been clueless about.
There’s so much about him that I still don’t know.
I roll over in bed and look at his profile. A moment later, he turns to face me.
‘I need to go back to Caernarfon on Sunday.’
My heart jumps at his words, and for a second, I’m scared Bill got it wrong, that he’s leaving.
‘Why?’
‘I have to pack up my stuff. The house sale looks as though it’s going through.’
‘And then you’ll come back?’
‘Yes.’
My relief must be as evident as my fear was a moment ago.
‘How will you get there?’ I ask.
‘Same way I came.’
‘Will you bring a car back with you?’
‘No.’
‘What about all your stuff?’ I ask with concern.
‘I’ll have to get it sent separately. Cara is taking the furniture.’
‘Would your things fit inmycar? I mean, do you want a lift?’
He stares at me. ‘Really?’
‘Would that be weird?’
‘In what way?’
‘Will Cara be there?’
‘No, she’s already moved out.’
I smile at him, but his own smile fades and he sits up and swings his legs out of the bed.
‘Are you okay?’
‘Yes, fine,’ he says over his shoulder as I stare at his smooth, muscled back. As I reach out to touch him, he gets up and goes into my en suite, closing the door behind him.
He’snotfine. I’m not sure why he lied.
A couple of days later, he changes his mind.
We’re having breakfast at the small table in my kitchen and he’s just told me that he’ll be taking the bus and train tomorrow after all.
‘If you don’t want me to drive you, then how about I put you on my car insurance?’
I’m trying to sound chilled and reasonable. I’m guessing he’d rather I didn’t witness the wreckage of his broken life, or maybe Cara’s going to be there after all. Or perhaps he just feels bad about putting me out.
