“Absolutely.”
He still looks unsettled.
“You know, your dad’s not going to be mad at you,” I go on. “I’m not saying he won’t tell you off for breaking the rules. But he loves you. Don’t forget that.”
They both smile. I try to do the same but can’t, so turn my back on the kids, switch the hose onto the jet function, and water the borders.
I can’t escape the thought that Theo won’t be mad at them, but he has good reason to be mad at me. And the more I consider it, the more I think hewillbe mad at me. As soon as he found out what had happened, he hardly even looked at me. He didn’t address me at all.
I feel a sickness in the pit of my stomach. Is this it, the moment I always suspected would come? The moment Theo’s feelings start to fade and our relationship falls apart?
And to think that last night we had a romantic meal in Lucca. To think that just a few hours ago he put his arms around my waist and asked if I had any idea how much he loved me.
My phone pings to tell me I have a message.
“Is that Dad?” asks Callum.
I transfer the hosepipe to my other hand and lift my phone out of my pocket. “Yeah.”
“What does he say?”
I’m not sure whether to read the message out loud, till I see it begins with the wordsPanic over.
“The x-rays showed it’s only a sprain,” I read. “They’ve given him some painkillers and strapped up his ankle. We’ll be back soon.”
My relief is instant, as if someone has flicked a switch.
“Thank fuck!” I want to say—then realize I have.
Mabel giggles. “Don’t worry, I’m the same.”
“And me,” says Callum.
Now I do manage a smile.
I retreat to the tap to switch off the water. “Just don’t tell your dad I swore!”
Theo carries Archie up to the top floor and gets him ready for bed. He’s already given a full report of what happened at the hospital and now wants to make sure Archie gets a good night’s sleep.
Theo props up his crutches against the wall and we all gather round the bed. It’s brill to see Archie looking so well. His glasses have been straightened and his face is animated by a grin.
“The doctor said I was really brave!” he chirps.
“I bet she did,” I say.
“Can you remember the word she used in Italian?” pipes Theo.
“Coraggioso!”warbles Archie.
Theo smiles. “Superb! Now, I’m pleased your brother and sister are sharing a room with you tonight: they can keep an eye on you. Isn’t that right, Cal? Mabel?”
Mabel nods, several times. “Yeah!”
Callum picks at his braces. “If you like.”
I can tell he’s still down on himself.
Theo turns back to Archie. “Now, do you want anything?”
