‘That sounds like my cousin.’ Matt laughed as he stepped inside. ‘Wow, it’s amazing in here, like an apartment on wheels. You’d never guess how nice it is from the outside.’
‘I’ll take that as a compliment… I think!’ It was Briony’s turn to laugh and she still couldn’t believe Bex’s husband was here, let alone how comfortable she felt in his company. It had been obvious from what her mother had told her that Matt was the polar opposite to Liam, but she’d have known that after a few moments in his company, even if her mother had never told her a thing about him.
‘Oh bloody hell, sorry.’ Matt slapped a hand against his forehead. ‘It was meant as a compliment I promise.’
‘Here why don’t you shove a biscuit in that big old mouth of yours, although you’ll have to take your foot out of it first.’ Tristan slid the plate across the table towards his cousin.
‘Can I get you a cup of tea or coffee, or maybe a beer?’ Briony asked, making Tristan raise his eyebrows.
‘How come I only got offered tea?’ He put on a mock offended tone and she shrugged.
‘I don’t want you getting too comfortable. I’ll never get rid of you.’
‘Yeah, we have that problem with Triss all the time.’ Matt gave his cousin a playful nudge and, as they all laughed, a warm glow enveloped Briony. It reminded her what it was like to hang outwith friends and family. Then the thought hit her that if Bex had been there, they’d all have been acting so differently, if they were willing to speak to her at all.
‘So did you want a drink?’ The question sounded blunt even to her own ears, so it was no surprise when Matt declined the offer.
‘Thanks, but I can’t stay long. I was just checking the lambs in the top field, but I’ve got to get back to help Henry with his maths homework. Me and Bex did rock, paper, scissors and I lost.’ He laughed again and Briony felt her heart contract with pain. She’d have given anything to be able to help her nephew with his homework, but it was never going to happen. As for having a child of her own one day, the prospect of that seemed to have slipped away too, but right now there was a question she needed to ask.
‘Does Bex know you’re here?’
‘No.’ The apologetic smile was back on Matt’s face. ‘But Tristan told us what happened to your ankle, and I wanted to see if there was anything you needed before you go away, given that you can’t drive, but I should have known Triss would look after you.’
‘He’s been very kind and it’s been lovely to see where you and Bex live, and the boys of course. I’ve imagined it lots of times, but it exceeded my expectations. It must be an amazing place for the boys to grow up, and Tom couldn’t stop telling me about all the animals.’
‘You’ve met Tom?’ Matt’s face gave nothing away, but his voice was strained and she could sense Tristan fidgeting uncomfortably out of the corner of her eye. She’d probably said too much already, but she wasn’t going to lie. It only made things worse. That was a lesson she’d learned a long time ago.
‘Yes and Ollie, but it’s okay, they had no idea who I am.’
‘I didn’t even know who she was then, much less that Bex would feel so strongly about Briony seeing the boys.’ Tristan addressed his comment to his cousin, but she still felt as though his words had slapped her around the face. He’d choose his loyalty to Bex over his fledging friendship with her anytime, of course he would, but the realisation that she was no one’s priority still stung.
‘It’s okay, I’ll make sure I stay out of their way when I come back to collect the camper and the dog, and after that I won’t be back. I promise.’
‘No one’s asking you to make that promise,’ Matt protested, but she held up a hand to stop him from continuing.
‘Bex is, and I have to respect that.’ She was amazed at how carefree her tone sounded when her heart was breaking inside. ‘And thanks so much both of you, but there’s really nothing else I need. Tristan is looking after the dog and letting me leave the van here until I get back from London. That’s already more than I could ask for.’
‘Are you sure?’ Matt waited and this time she nodded. ‘Alright then, but there is something else I need to say to you.’
‘Okay.’ Briony dug her nails into the palms of her hand, bracing herself for what her sister’s husband might be about to say, but when he spoke, they were the very last words she’d expected to hear.
‘I wanted to say thank you for what you did to break Bex and Liam up. If you hadn’t done it, I’d never have met her, or had our boys, and she’s the love of my life. The four of them are the best thing that’s ever happened to me.’ Matt wagged a finger at his cousin. ‘But if you repeat anything about this in front of our mates, Triss, I’ll bury you in the slurry pit.’
‘Are you listening to this, Briony? If I ever go missing, you’ll know who to blame.’ Tristan grinned and she faked a smile inresponse. She wanted to enjoy the way they ribbed each other, like she had earlier, but all she could think about now was that she was never going to get the chance to see if her nephews would grow up to have the kind of relationship Matt and Tristan did. She was never going to have the chance to know anything about them on a first-hand basis, and the thought hurt her heart more than words could ever have expressed.
‘I am listening and I promise to tell the police to look in the slurry pit, if you’ve disappeared by the time I get back from London.’ She laughed, hoping it sounded more convincing than it felt, and turned towards Matt. ‘Just don’t do anything mean to my dog.’
‘I would never do that, I promise.’ Matt held up his hands, still smiling.
‘In that case, I think we can leave it there.’ She handed Tristan a bag containing Merlin’s food and treats. Tristan had said he didn’t need a dog bed, as Merlin would no doubt be taking up residence on the same sofa where Casper slept. The thought of spending so much time without her dog was already making Briony anxious and she needed to get rid of Tristan and Matt before they realised just how much the prospect of saying goodbye to Merlin was affecting her. ‘I’ve got to get up early to head to London and I want to make the most of having the bed to myself tonight without having Merlin stretched out beside me, snoring and letting out odours that make my eyes water.’
‘What a shame, Triss, it sounds like Merlin has already filled the vacancy you’ve got all the right skills for.’
‘Oh sod off,’ Tristan said, but it was all in good humour. ‘Come on then, Merlin, let’s give your mum some peace.’
He patted his thigh as he walked towards the door and it was all the encouragement the old Labrador needed to follow him.
‘Be a good boy, Merls.’ She crouched down and kissed thedog’s velvety head, furiously blinking back tears. ‘Love you, sweetheart.’
