Chapter 44
Abigail switched the projector off when the film finished.
Oliver sat there staring at the blank screen.
‘So, what do you think?’ Carys asked.
‘Of course, I’ve heard the rumours that our mother had an affair, and that I’m not his son.’
Abigail frowned. This was meant to be about Toby. However, what had struck Oliver was not Toby’s likeness to the Somervilles, but his own lack of a family resemblance.
‘Don’t believe those stupid rumours, Oliver,’ Carys cut in.
‘I know the way he treats me, the way he looks at me. He’s thinking about it too. But nowhere is it more plain than in that home movie. It’s my birthday and all the other parents there are attentive to their kids – but not him.’ Oliver pointed a finger at the blank screen.
The look on Cary’s face mirrored Abigail’s. It wasn’t the reaction they were expecting. ‘But what about Toby?’
‘Yeah, I see the family resemblance. You can’t fail to – can you?’
‘It could just be a coincidence,’ said Carys. ‘But I want to do a DNA test and see if we are related to Toby.’
‘You do?’ Abigail cut in.
Oliver shrugged. ‘So, he’s a distant cousin or something. But what does it matter? Daphne still gave the cottage to him.’
‘But wouldn’t you like to know?’
He shrugged again. He turned to Abigail. ‘You’ve got the cottage now – why not just enjoy it?’
Abigail pursed her lips, lowering her eyes from his gaze. For a brief moment, when Oliver had arrived, she’d forgotten the reason she wanted to find out about Toby’s background – their baby.
Carys interrupted her thoughts. ‘I really want to do a test.’
‘Well, I’m not standing in your way,’ Oliver said irritably.
‘Why the glum face?’ Carys frowned. ‘You’re not going to do the test, are you?’
‘Well, there’s no point both of us doing it.’
Abigail nodded. ‘That’s true. You’re siblings. You share the same DNA, so there’s no point—’
Oliver bounced out of his seat, stopping Abigail in her tracks. He exclaimed, ‘I know how to get to the bottom of it – once and for all.’
Carys exchanged a glance with Abigail. ‘We’ve just talked about this. We, or rather I, take a test to see if Toby is related—’
‘I’m not talking about that! I’m talking about the rumours, about Mum having an affair, and that Father isn’t my real father.’
‘Oliver – that’s ridiculous.’
‘Is it? You saw the home movie. I don’t look like you or Father.’
‘So, I take after Daddy and you take after Mummy’s side.’
‘I want to take the test too.’
‘What’s that going to prove?’ Carys shot back.
‘Whether we are half-siblings.’