“Well, the results are anything but basic,” Theo says. “We should definitely talk about you doing that Computer Science A level. It would work really well with PE and Business.”
Callum can’t suppress his smile any longer. “Yeah, alright.”
“You know, Ian was saying he needs a new website,” I contribute. “He’s not got much money but he’s crap at tech. I’m sure he’d appreciate your help.”
Callum nods, quickly. “That’d be sick.”
I take out my phone. “Let me do a quick email intro.”
I open up my app but see an email sitting at the top of my inbox from Auntie Julie.
Fear catches in my throat. What does she say?
I can’t read it now. I’ll have to make some time later.
After an hour of being unable to concentrate on anything, I slip away to make myself a coffee. Just as I’m flipping the lid of the moka and see it’s starting to boil, Theo comes down the stairs.
“Is everything OK?” he asks.
I can tell from the look on his face that there’s no point pretending. I switch off the gas. “I got that email from Auntie Julie.”
His expression turns grave. “Have you read it?”
“Not yet.”
There’s a pause.
“I’ll cancel my last meeting,” says Theo. “You go off and find somewhere quiet.”
“I can’t,” I argue. “This is an important day for you.”
Theo frowns. “The next meeting isn’t crucial. Honestly, I can cancel it.”
I line up two espresso cups and fill them with coffee. “The thing is, I promised Archie we’d make a trap for wasps.”
Theo pushes out a breath. “Bloody hell, Ads, forget about that. I’ll do it with him.”
I lean back against the marble worktop. “But where can I go? It’ll be too hot up at the castle.”
Theo rubs my shoulder. “You’re starting to sound like you’re making excuses.”
I take a sip of my coffee but find it difficult to swallow. Am I?
“You’ve got fifty hectares of land,” Theo goes on. “There are loads of places you can go.”
I blow on my coffee.
“Or would you prefer us to read it together?” suggests Theo.
“No, it’s fine,” I insist. “I’ll do it on my own.”
“Look, I can see this is terrifying,” Theo continues. “But the only way to even think about dealing with it is to read the email.”
I force the rest of my coffee down. “I know.”
“We’ll sit down and talk about it afterwards,” he goes on. “But please remember I love you.”
He kisses me and I smile, weakly.
