Noah felt a heaviness in his bones as he walked to his mum’s house on Friday afternoon. First, he’d speak to her, and then Seren. He wasn’t sure which conversation he was dreading the most. Once he had those conversations out of the way, he could call Keira and begin making proper plans.
Thankfully, his mum was on her own at home. Noah had half expected Trystan would be around. The conversation would probably be easier alone.
At the kitchen table he chatted to his mum about the weather and the number of tourists on the island. Anything to put off what he’d really come to speak to her about. Condensation dripped down the side of his can of Coke. Idly, he caught a drop with the back of a finger.
“Are you working this weekend?” his mum asked, then took a sip of her tea.
He shook his head. “I took the weekend off since I thought Keira would be here.”
“Is Charlie okay with you taking so many weekends off?”
“I don’t know.” He tapped the side of the can, then shifted in his seat. “I’m going to quit.”
“Quit the pub?” Mirren asked with a bemused smile.
“Yeah.”
She scrutinised him for a moment. “You’re moving back to Bristol, aren’t you?”
“Yes.” With his eyes down, he flicked the ring pull on the Coke can, the twang of it filling the silence. “I want to be with Keira. But I feel really bad about leaving you.”
By the time he forced his gaze up, his mum was already coming around the table to him. She wrapped him in a big hug. “Don’t be silly. Do what you need to do. I’m glad you met someone who makes you happy.”
“I feel as though I should be here,” he said as she took the seat beside him. “I felt terrible for going to Bristol in the first place. I needed to get away after everything with Dad, but I never intended for it to be permanent.”
“I know.” She squeezed his hand. “Going away was good for you. You needed a break. And if you want things to work out with Keira, being in Bristol makes sense.”
“I asked her to move here, but she didn’t think it was a realistic plan.”
“It’s a big ask,” his mum said sympathetically. “Especially when you haven’t been together very long. Maybe down the road she might come around to the idea.”
“I hope so. This is where I want to be long term, but I’m sick of missing her. I’m not cut out for a long-distance relationship.”
“Have you told Seren about your plans?”
He rubbed at his temple. “No. I’m going to talk to her next. She should be finished with work soon.”
“She misses you when you’re not here, but she’s like me – as long as you’re happy she’s okay.”
Rolling his head from shoulder to shoulder, he managed to release some of the built-up tension. “I feel as though I’m letting people down.”
“You’re not. It’s a good thing for you. I bet Keira is thrilled.”
“I haven’t told her yet. I didn’t want to mention it until I was a hundred percent sure I was going to do it. I’ll call her this evening.”
“Good. Now stop looking so miserable! You should be excited.”
“I am.” He smiled, imagining how excited Keira would be when he told her. “I need to go and see Seren,” he said, standing abruptly. Once that was out of the way he’d be able to concentrate on the positives of moving.
“When do you think you’ll leave?” his mum asked, following him to the door.
“Depends how much notice Charlie needs. I don’t want to leave him in the lurch.”
“You want to go soon then?”
“Yes. I think I’ll fly over tomorrow for a few days so Keira and I can discuss everything properly. Then I’ll come back and work for as long as Charlie needs to find a replacement.”
“That won’t be long,” his mum said sadly.