Page 102 of The Summer Swap

“Yes. It’s a big decision, I know. You probably need time to think about it.”

She smiled. “I’ve thought about it. My answer is yes.”

“Yes?”

“Absolutely yes.”

“What about your parents?”

Her parents.

Her excitement dimmed just a little, but nowhere near as much as it would have done a few weeks earlier.

“I hope they’ll accept that this is what I want to do. I love them, and I want them to be proud of me, but I realize now that I can’t make that happen.” She shifted so she could look at him properly. “Talking of parents, how are you feeling about your mother being here?”

“You mean without my father?” He sighed and eased away a little. “It was unexpected, that’s for sure. But I’m trying to roll with it.”

“Was it awkward me being here?” It occurred to her that he probably hadn’t intended to go public so quickly.

“I suspect it’s more awkward for her. She wasn’t expecting me to be here. Extra awkward because it sounds as if my parents are splitting up. She probably didn’t intend for me to know yet.”

She felt a shaft of sympathy. “I’m sorry.”

“Me, too. It feels destabilizing, which is insane, I know, because I’m an adult.”

“Being an adult doesn’t stop you feeling unsettled by it. Did you know they were having problems?”

“No, but that’s probably because I wasn’t looking.” He stared up at the slope of the ceiling. “My dad was never around that much when I was growing up. He was always at the hospital. Mum was busy working for my grandfather. I suppose I always assumed that their life worked for them.”

“Maybe they’re just going through a bumpy patch. Maybe they’ll figure it out.”

“Maybe. Although she left in the middle of the night, so that’s not a good sign, is it?” He pulled her closer. “I’d like them to figure out whatever has gone wrong, obviously, but I suppose in the end all I want is for them to be happy. If they can’t be happy together, they’re better off apart. And I need to get my head round that. The truth is I feel sorry for anyone who doesn’t have what we have.” He leaned down and kissed her and she thought again that happiness wasn’t always easy to find, but when you did the important thing was to hang on to it.

“Me, too. I don’t want our time here to end, but if Cecilia decides to sell then we won’t be able to stay here.”

“If we can’t live here, we’ll live somewhere else. Together. And it will be just as good.” He kissed her gently. “What will your parents say? Will they disapprove?”

“They’ll love you, Todd.” And if they didn’t, it would make no difference to her choices because she loved Todd and wouldn’t give him up for anyone.

And suddenly she made a decision.

She needed to do this. Now. Before she changed her mind.

“What time is it?” She reached for her phone, which she’d left on the floor. “It’s only eleven. That’s not too late.”

“Too late for what?” He raised himself on his elbow, watching as she tugged on her clothes. “What are you doing?”

“I’m going to call my parents.” She zipped her jeans and pulled on a sweatshirt. “I’m feeling sure of myself and confident and I need to make this call while I’m feeling this way.”

“Isn’t it a little late for a chat? They won’t be asleep?”

“No. My parents are never in bed before midnight. And I’m not calling for a chat. I’m calling them to let them know my plans. After that, it’s all up to them.” She slid her feet into her flip-flops. “Wait there.”

“I’ll come with you for moral support.”

She smiled and bent to kiss him. “I’m grateful to you for offering, but no. This is something I need to do by myself. I need to know I can. I need to be okay with it. And you’ve already given me moral support. That’s the reason I know I can do this.”

He stared into her eyes for a moment and then nodded. “All right. But as it’s eleven, you don’t mind if I watch from a distance to check you’re okay. You never know what’s out there. Giant lobsters. Sharks.”

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