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“Actually, I’m going to walk back, by the woods. Get more of a feel for the surroundings, you know?”

“Are you sure you don’t want a lift?”

“I’m sure. Speak to you soon, all right?”

I leave Finlay and the house and set off into the trees, joining the public footpath. I’ve only gone a short way when my phone pings with a message.

Nice! I have reception out here. That’s a bonus.

I check and see it’s my sister, who works as a vet down in Glasgow.

Iona

I come back up for your birthday, and you’re not even here! Maw doesn’t know where you are either. Said you left while she was in the bathroom.

Aidan

Aye, timed it that way deliberately. I hate how she asks me where I’m going every time I leave! Keep this to yourself, but I was at a house viewing. I love Maw to bits, but I need my own space.

Iona

That’s exciting! I suppose if you can’t treat yourself on your birthday, when can you?

Aidan

Fancy buying it for me with that big vet salary of yours?

Iona

You wish. Anyway, you won’t want to hear this, but better now than when everyone is gathered for lunch. Da called and asked me to tell you happy birthday. I’m tired of being the middle person, Aidan.

Aidan

Aye, well, he’s got my number.

Iona

True, but he says you never answer his calls or reply to his messages.

Aidan

I wouldn’t say NEVER, but . . . okay, fair point.

Iona

With you being thirty now, and it being a new decade and all that, maybe it’s time for some changes in your life? A bit of forgiveness, for example?

Aidan

*face-exhaling emoji* All right, I’ll give Da a call. But . . . not today.

CHAPTER TEN

AIDAN

“There he is—finally!” Iona bounds up to me and wraps me in a hug. “Happy birthday, bro!”

Like me, Iona is blonde and blue-eyed, but style-wise, we couldn’t be more different. She’s got on large glasses—a callback to the seventies—and a green dress decorated with illustrations of badgers, otters, and weasels. I’m not sure if you’d describe her look as geek chic or just eccentric, but either way, she owns it. Always has.