“It depends on how high of a risk the specialist decides you are. If you’re at high risk, we’ll start regular mammograms. If you’re at low risk, you’ll be invited to your mammogram screening from age fifty every three years like every other woman in the UK.”
“And if I want more regular checks just in case?”
“You’ll have to pay for those privately.”
My mind raced, battling the fear of knowing. “O-okay.”
Dr. Molly leaned closer. “Is this a cause of anxiety for you, Taran?”
“Aye, I must admit that it is.”
“We’ll get you to the specialist as quickly as possible, all right?” She gave my hand a squeeze. “You’re taking control of the situation. Being cautious is the right thing to do here. The more we know, the better.”
“The more we know,” I murmured, not sure I agreed with that.
15.Quinn
“Now, you’re sure you’ve got everything?” I handed Angus his backpack.
This was the part I hated most.
Saying goodbye to the kids at the ferry port.
“Aye.” Angus nodded. “All good.”
“For the millionth time, we have everything, Dad.” Heather smirked and then wound her arms around my neck.
I hugged her probably a wee bit too tightly. “I’ll see you in a few weeks.”
Heather pulled back, searching my face. “It’s going to be okay.”
Was it?
Since that night with Taran in the station, I’d felt like I was barely holding the pieces of my life together. “I know, flower.”
My daughter frowned. “You’ve been sad for the last few days, and I don’t think it’s just about me leaving for uni.”
The urge to protect her from my feelings was so inherent I almost shrugged off her words and told her I was fine. But I saw the tiny frown of disappointment etch between her brows as she read me. Angus was distracted watching the ferry crew anchorthe boat, so I murmured to Heather, “I tried to talk to Taran. It didn’t go well.”
“I’m sorry, Dad.”
“Heather … it was bad. It was really bad.”
“If Taran can upset my very stoic father this much, then she really means something to you. She matters. So, you keep trying. Like me. Hazel got mad at me on the phone for supposedly not trusting her, but am I going to let that sit between us? No. As soon as I get off this bloody boat, I am going to find my girlfriend and fix things. Because she matters.”
“You’re smarter than me. We knew this already.”
She chuckled. “Well, learn from me, Dad. Because when I come back here, I need you to be happy. You deserve to be happy.”
Emotion thickened my throat at the slight wobble in her words. “I’m happy already.”
“No.” Heather studied me thoughtfully. “I know you love me and Angus, and I know we make you happy. But looking back on everything, I don’t think you’ve ever been really happy our whole lives, Dad. And now I know why.” She gestured toward the coffee shop. “I think your happiness is in there. You’re just going to have to work for it.”
I was at once knocked off my feet by her observation and amused by her cheeky tone at the end. “I said it was bad, Heather … I didn’t say I was giving up.”
Her answering grin made me feel about ten feet tall. Then she smacked my arm and said, “Attaboy!”
My mock unimpressed look sent her into a fit of giggles, and the sound elicited a bittersweet ache in my chest. In September, I’d drive her to Glasgow and leave her there to start her life. Without me. My house would no longer ring with the sound of those giggles or her shrieking at Angus over some misdemeanor or Angus yelling her name in a whine of outrage.
