Will closed his eyes and took a deep breath. ‘He’ll have to take a break from it.’
‘You can’t take a five-month break from a plumbing apprenticeship! Do you know how many strings I had to pull to get him that job? He has a real chance to make something of his life. He’ll be able to charge a fortune when he’s qualified. You shouldn’t be filling his head with this nonsense.’
It stung that they didn’t have any expectations of him, but it would be a tragedy if a gifted musician like Reu spent his life installing toilets. Will didn’t have the same belief in his own talent, but championing Reu was easy.
‘Reu’s seventeen. Plumbing will still be there when he gets back. If he doesn’t do this now, he’ll regret it for the rest of his life.’
By now his dad’s face had turned deep red. ‘Well, on your head be it!’
Chapter 40
May 2016
Emily
It’s seven-thirty in the evening, but it’s still balmy, adding to the nervous damp patches in the armpits of my dress. I open the gate, take a deep breath, and walk up the path to FHD’s modest Victorian end-of-terrace. I could turn around, text some excuse, go back home to my safe little life.
But now I’m here, I’m curious to see what’s behind that teal door. I reach for the doorbell, then hesitate. We had plans to go for dinner, but his ex asked him to have Florence at the last minute, so I agreed to come here instead. Not wanting to wake her, I text him to say I’m outside.
FHD opens the door in shorts and a tasteful Hawaiian shirt with a tea towel over his shoulder. ‘Hi,’ he whispers, ‘come in.’
I follow him to the kitchen where French doors open out onto a little patio. Bob Marley is crooning softly in the background. I hand him a bottle of rosé and he kisses my cheek.
‘I thought we could have a barbecue.’ Everything’s prepared in covered dishes. I’m impressed. ‘Mojito,’ he says, handing me a glass full of mint leaves and ice and leads me outside.
We sit at a small round table surrounded by pots of flowers. I keep my arms clamped to my sides as I sip the mojito, praying my deodorant holds out.
‘How’s it going at the café?’ he asks.
‘I’m loving it. I look forward to going to work now.’
‘I’m glad it’s working out.’
‘Have you heard from Dylan?’
‘He texted last night to say he’s having a blast. Water sports all day and running the bar at night. I’m hoping to get a free holiday out of him at some point.’
‘I guess they must do paddle boarding over there. You’ll be in your element.’
As soon as I’ve said it, I realise my mistake.
‘How do you know I do paddle boarding?’ He looks at me, his face serious.
I can’t believe I’ve been here five minutes and I’ve already put my foot in it. Heat flashes at my cheeks.
‘Have you been googling me, Emily?’
Sweat trickles down the middle of my chest. ‘No…’
‘No?’
I clear my throat. ‘I swear, I haven’t googled you.’
‘Then how do you know about my hobby?’ There’s a glint in his eye now.
‘I saw your profile on a dating app.’
He lifts an eyebrow.