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But Finn refused. “Save it, Da. Wait to pay me back ’til you get this job. Then we can work it all out.”

They stood at the end of the hall upstairs, just outside of his parents’ room, but Da had been trying to give him the few hundred pounds since they’d left the kitchen.

“I’ve saved up a bit,” he’d said. “You’ve your own flat to pay for on top of everythin’ else. Take it.”

The offer was generous, not to mention tempting. It would certainly extend Finn’s flat for another month. But he knew as well as Da that his parents couldn’t afford to give anything back right now.

“I can’t take anymore from you until I return somethin’,” Da said, his voice low. “I’ve taken too much already.”

“Borrowed, Da,” Finn corrected. “You’ve borrowed it.”

Honestly, Finn couldn’t care less if his father repaid him at all. But he knew Da had been adamant that any money he accepted from his son, they treated it as a loan and nothing more.

“I know you’re good for it,” Finn continued. “Let’s get you that job, then we’ll talk about this again.”

“If you’re sure,” Da said, still hesitating as he withdrew the envelope and tucked it into his back pocket. “I’ve high hopes for this one. EJS seems to be a better fit than William’s Bankin’ ever did. I should know the end o’ next week.”

Finn nodded, hoping to appear as unbothered as possible. He didn’t want Da to know Finn was counting down the days to finding some relief.

Still, he must have seen something on Finn’s features, as Da looked away, his brow wrinkling with fold after fold. “I’m sorry ’bout all this, son,” he said, shame shrouding his eyes.

But Finn shook his head. He didn’t offer to help to make his father upset. “You know I’m happy to help after all you’ve done for me. No point in feelin’ badly ’bout it.”

Da nodded but hardly looked convinced, just as usual. Finn had attempted to assuage Da’s guilt before, but nothing helped. Finn didn’t blame him. He’d feel terrible if he had to borrow from his son.

“Have you told Ma yet?” Finn asked next.

Another wave of guilt washed over Da’s features. “She knows enough.”

Finn nodded, leaving it at that. He didn’t need to tell Da how important it was for Ma to know about this whole matter. The fact that she didn’t know Da was at risk for losing the house, were it not for Finn, was beyond him. But then, maybe Da was waiting for things to be settled before sharing more with her. Either way, it wasn’t his place to tell his parents how to carry on their relationship.

“We should probably get back down there,” Finn said. “Ma needs help with Gran.”

Da nodded with a light chuckle. “She’ll have me head, otherwise.”

Finn couldn’t help but agree. “Go on. I’ll just be a minute.”

Waiting until Da turned down the stairs, Finn leaned against the wall and scrubbed his hands across his face. He was so tired of this stress. Da needed to get this job.

Footsteps sounded at the top of the stairs, and Finn looked up in time to see Maisie rounding the corner, her eyes landing on him.

He straightened from the door frame, not having to fake the smile that came to his lips. She had a way of always lifting his heavy heart.

“Hi,” she said. She paused at the top of the stairs, staring at him from down the hallway. “Sorry, I just came up here to find the bathroom.”

She was as stunning as ever, even with Ma’s wee pinny round her middle. Had she heard his conversation with Da? Did that even matter to Finn? He was having trouble caring about anything other than the fact that she was in his house, cooking with his ma, speaking with his granny, and fitting in with the space like she’d been there all along.

“You’re in the right place.” He walked to the bathroom to his left and motioned toward it. “Here you are.”

She moved toward him, though she paused outside the door. “You okay?”

She had heard, then. They’d not said anything to give their troubles away, though, so there was no need to worry her further.

“Always,” he said with a wink.

She hardly appeared convinced, but when he caught how she cradled her right hand, a paper towel stained with red round her thumb, he frowned.

“Are you alright?” he asked.