Page 10 of Game Changer

She leans back from me to get a better look. “Look at that bloody tan you've got, you know you'll never get away with not explaining that in Scotland.”

“Yeah, I've already had to explain it a couple of times. At the hotel bar last night the barman asked if I had been on holiday. It's nice being back here, no one gives a toss who I am.”

“Well we damn well do. Now get your backside in here you look like you need a feed. Look at you with all these muscles, I can tell you haven't had one of your mammy’s cakes in a while.”

“I’m going to put the car in the garage,” dad calls out of the open car window.

“Yeah, we’ll see him in about forty minutes after he’s done tinkering with something that catches his attention.

We make our way in and through the great hall to the huge kitchen. The smell of fresh home baking wafts in the air and my mouth waters. She's right. I haven't had a cake in about eight months and my mouth is watering at the thought of devouring one now.

“So what have you been up to since you got back? Bet you’ve been busy.” Mum fills the kettle and puts it on to boil.

“Yeah kind of. I spent the day with Zara yesterday.”

Mum snaps her head round so fast she almost gives herself whiplash. “Really?”

“Mhm. She’s doing really well for herself.”

“Is that so?” The kettle clicks off and she turns back to fill the mugs with coffee. “So what did you two get up to then? Or should I ask?”

“Mum,” I warn. “You know that’s not what it was about. We can’t go down that road again.”

“Ugh, I know. I’m sorry but you know I always thought you two should have got together. For real I mean. I miss her. She was always a lovely, pleasant girl. And she grew into a wonderful young woman.”

I smile at her. I know my mum was saddened when things didn’t work out for us. “I thought I’d have got over her by now but seeing her again yesterday brought all those feelings back. I know she never felt the same about me, but I did a stupid thing.”

“Oh good lord Owen,” she says placing the steaming mug down in front of me and cutting a slice from the huge cream filled sponge cake in the middle of the table. “What did you do?”

“I asked her to pick up where we left off. She said no obviously. I was stupid to even ask. I think I still love her mum. And I don’t think I’ll ever get over her.”

“Son, please be careful you don’t push her away. You can’t force someone to love you back. I hate to say this, but I think you need to let her go.” She puts her hand over mine and give a slight squeeze.

“I know and that’s what’s so hard about this. I don’t want to lose her as my friend.”

“Do you wish you’d never had your wee arrangement back then?”

“Yes and no. I loved every minute of it, but every time I had to leave her it tore away at my heart a little bit more. And when I left for America it almost killed me.” I sigh, picking up the slice of cake and taking a huge bite. It’s sweet and creamy and everything that’s dangerous for a healthy diet, but oh man have I missed my mum’s cake and compassion.

“Make sensible choices where she’s concerned and do not let that lovestruck heart of yours rule your head.”

“Thanks mum.”

“Right Karen, where’s that gorgeous cake?” My dad’s voice booms from the hallway as he makes his way into the kitchen. He walks right over to the table and eyes up the sponge. “Mmm. Get in ma belly,” he says licking his lips. He sits down beside me, slapping my back.

God I’ve missed these wonderful people.

* * *

“Dad you’ve kept this place looking immaculate. These gardens are stunning.”

He’s taking me across the estate to show me the project he's been working on. “Yeah, they take a lot of work, but I need something to occupy me. I'm actually considering getting some woodworking tools and starting a bespoke furniture business. We have that huge barn, so why not.”

As we sat in the kitchen and chatted earlier, I took a good look at my parents. They both have such a peaceful look on their faces now. All through my childhood and even into my early adulthood they both worked so hard. They gave up a lot to give me everything I ever needed or wanted. I know the huge sacrifices they made for me, and I knew someday I would pay them back. I make a hell of a lot of money doing what I do now and there is no way I would have all this without them. I bought them their home and pay for its upkeep which means neither of them have to work anymore unless they want to. Mum spends most of her days working on her own small business. She does alterations to clothing and makes a whole array of items from fabric. She made every set of curtains in this huge house. I know that being busy all their lives has meant that they can't slow down yet. If dad wants to build bespoke furniture, then that's what he'll do. I make a mental note to source some materials and machinery for him.

We reach the huge barn dad was talking about and he pulls open the big sliding door. I'm almost floored when I catch a glimpse of the beautiful machine sitting in front of me.

“Dad.” I gasp. “Wow this looks even better than it did before.”

---