‘But he had Mum and Dad the last time he was admitted, and they were doctors. I’d have no idea how to handle his needs in that situation. I’d be so scared. Obviously not half as scared as Michael.’ I sigh. ‘Sometimes I think my parents only had me so that Michael wouldn’t be alone in the world once they left it. There’s such a big age gap between us.’ I stare at the studio photograph hanging on the wall of us as a family. ‘I used to think that my conception must’ve been an accident, but now I wonder if my parents were actually being strategic.’
‘Your parents had you because they wantedyou, Liv,’ Finn says gently as he squeezes my hand.
‘Is it strange that you and I can fall into such easy step with each other after so long apart?’ I ask out of the blue.
‘I think it’s miraculous,’ he replies with a sweet grin, pulling me into his arms.
‘Miraculous,’ I repeat into his neck, liking the sound of it as I stare past him at the garden and the three fat palm trees on the top terrace. ‘I’m already dreading how much I’ll miss you when you’re gone,’ I murmur.
‘Me too. I was a mess when I left you last summer.’
I pull away so I can study his face. ‘Were you?’
He frowns. ‘Completely.’
I’m still not alone in my pain.
‘How are things with the band? Have they forgiven you for going solo yet?’
‘No, they’re still livid. Now they’re not even speaking to me.’
‘Well, Dylan seems happy to scream the lyrics instead of sing them,’ I say wryly of the band’s guitarist, who has stepped in as lead singer.
‘Hey, shall we go out for lunch?’ he asks on a whim.
‘Michael’s coming over for Sunday lunch, but you’re welcome to stay.’
He looks unsure, but then he nods, agreeing.
‘Ooh, we could have a barbecue! Make the most of the outdoor space while I don’t have guests staying! We could invite Amy, Dan and Rach?’
‘Sounds great,’ he replies, looking tickled by my enthusiasm.
I send a quick text asking our friends and then give Michael a call, suggesting he invite Timothy.
‘Ace!’ he exclaims.
When Michael turns up at the house later, however, he’s not happy to see Finn.
‘What’shedoing here?’ he asks grouchily.
Here we go …
‘Michael, please stop being rude to Finn,’ I say reasonably. ‘I’m going to be spending a lot of time with him over the next few weeks and I’d like you both to get on.’
‘Heisyour boyfriend, isn’t he?’ Michael says reproachfully, side-eyeing me.
I look at Finn and find I’m not sure how to answer this time. ‘Well, maybe he is. For the next month.’
Finn grins.
‘You’d better be nice to my baby sister,’ Michael warns him.
‘I’m always nice to her,’ Finn bats back.
‘You’dbetterbe.’
‘Okay, okay, that’s enough now,’ I say. ‘Is Timothy coming?’ I ask Michael.
