“And you didn’t believe them.”
“Why should I? Every time I’d contacted them just after he died, they told me I didn’t deserve to speak his name. That they wished it had been me who’d died.”
I reached across the table and took his hand. “You never told me that.”
“It never seemed like the right time. We were still getting to know each other.”
“How do you know they weren’t being sincere? People change.”
“I know my parents, and I also heard Ma telling Dad they’d take me for all I was worth. It was what I deserved. So, yeah, I gave them nothing and told them to fuck off.”
“You deserved better, and so did your brother.”
“I don’t want to talk about it anymore. Let’s tidy up, and we can cuddle on the sofa.”
“You’ve certainly changed your tune.” I picked up the plates and loaded them into the dishwasher.
“I had time to think the past couple of days while I’ve been here. The last three years have been a whirlwind, and it’s beengood to unwind. I was hurt that you couldn’t let me in, but then I realised how difficult it must have been for you.”
“I pondered long and hard about what I did, but it was a spur-of-the-moment thing. The consequences of my actions never came into it. That’s just how it is.”
“And now we have another chance. I don’t want to waste this one. Now, come ‘ere. I’m tired, and the sofa is calling.”
I turned on a couple of lamps, casting a soft glow in the room. I lit the wood burner, closed the blinds, and turned on my favourite playlist.
“Classical. Nice.” Killian lay back on the sofa and closed his eyes.
“I couldn’t listen to music for a while. All the words brought back so many memories. Classical has no words, or if it does, it’s usually Italian. It soothes me.”
I snuggled next to him and once again lay my head on his chest. Fuzzy hair tickled my cheek as he raked his hands through my hair.
I’d never experienced such peace in all my thirty-one years.
“What will you do when you’re better? Go back to Liverpool?”
“It’s too late to go to Scotland now. Duncan messaged to say he’d rearranged the concerts, and those were the last ones on my UK tour. I was taking a month off, then going back into the recording studio.”
“You could stay here. Rest a while longer.”
“I could. It’s been a while since I’ve taken any time off, and it’d give us time to get to know each other again. If you want to, of course.”
“I think that’d be a great idea.”
Chapter 31
Killian
“So, this is where you put down roots. I like it.”
We were bundled up in coats and scarves, taking a walk along the Dee Estuary. A small wall separated us from the marshes full of wildlife and plants.
It was the first time I’d ventured out in four days. The first two I’d spent in bed, and yesterday, we’d got a lot off our chests and cleared the air.
I wasn’t lying when I said I’d been thinking a lot about him. We’d shared so much in the short time we’d spent together. I didn’t want to let that go, despite what he’d done.
“Yes, I moved here when I came back from Ireland. Well, not straight away. I had to sell Mum and Dad’s house first, but as soon as that was sold, I came here.”
“It’s really beautiful.”