Page 28 of The Summer Swap

“I think we all need to chill.” Todd picked up his sister’s glass and poured water onto the stain on his shirt. “If she wanted us to find her, she would have told us where she was. Her note was clear. She didn’t sound upset or desperate. I say leave her alone. Let her have her ‘me time’ and wait for her to get in touch.”

Kristen was sorely tempted to follow his suggestion, if only because it would mean she had one less immediate problem to solve. Theo was looking washed out and she wasn’t sure if it was the alcohol, grief or the sheer effort required to seem okay when he was falling apart, but she sensed she needed to get him away from here fast.

In terms of her priorities, she was probably looking at it.

“Maybe we should wait until tomorrow,” Winston said. “If this is all about the party, then maybe she left so that no one would try and persuade her to attend. She could be back in the morning.”

“Yes.” Kristen had to admit that there was sense in Winston’s suggestion. “What do you think, Theo?” She tried to draw him out of whatever dark place his mind was currently inhabiting. “Theo?”

He flinched as her voice finally penetrated. “I think life is short and unpredictable, and we should all make the most of the moment. You never know what’s round the corner.”

“Whoa, Dad,” Hannah muttered. “I think Mom was just hoping for your take on the best way to handle the Nanna issue, not your thoughts on the meaning of life.”

“It’s the same thing,” Theo said. “If Cecilia wants space, then we should respect her wishes and allow her that.” He swayed. “It has been a long day. I think I might head home.”

“Maybe we should sleep here tonight,” Kristen said. “In case she comes home.”

Todd raised an eyebrow. “You don’t think it would freak her out to discover that her entire family has moved into her home in her absence? If she left to avoid us, then that might make her turn around and leave again.”

Had her mother been avoiding her family? Had she been avoiding her?

“I can’t stay,” Hannah said. “I’m due back at the hospital in the morning and it’s too far to drive from here. I need to get a cab.”

“I have to go back to the city,” Winston said. “I’ll drive you.” He gave Kristen a look of apology. “I can come back tomorrow if you need me to.”

“I need to go back, too,” Todd said. “I’m driving to Hyannis to give someone a quote for a new hand-built kitchen using sustainable wood.”

Kristen stood there, feeling lost and then Theo crossed the room to her and put his hand on her shoulder.

“I’ll stay here with you if that’s what you’d prefer. I know you’re worried.” His voice was kind and his touch firm and reassuring.

She felt a lump form in her throat. “You want to go home and sleep in your own bed.”

“I want to do what’s right for you. I love you.”

Kristen saw Hannah’s startled look. She saw her glance at her brother.

Theo was undeterred. “We can sleep in your old room. Haven’t done that in years.”

The same room where she’d read her message from Jeff.

“I don’t know—”

“It will be fine, Kristen.” He pulled her close. “Your mother will show up tomorrow, having spent a night at a spa hotel or something. She’ll wonder what all the fuss was about. Everything is going to be fine, honey.”

Honey.

Theo never called her honey, even when he’d had a drink.

Theo, who never paid attention to her, had decided to pay attention.

Why was life so confusing?

7

Cecilia

She woke up aching and cold, the arm of the sofa digging uncomfortably into her neck. For a moment she was confused about where she was, and then she saw her suitcase by the door where she’d left it and remembered that she was in the cottage.

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