Page 123

“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.