“It’s kind of a shock to the system. I thought it would be easier. Plus, every time I offer to help mum out with something Kit’s already done it.” He rolled his eyes. “Or you have.”
“You did make me promise to look after her when you left.”
“I know.” He also knew she’d have done it even if he hadn’t asked. Slinging an arm around her shoulders, he pulled her into a side hug.
“You’ll feel better after you see Keira this weekend.”
He let out a humourless laugh. “IfI see her. I get the impression she’s not that keen on me visiting.”
“Why not? I thought you were all set to go over for a long weekend.”
“That’s what I thought. But she’s got some big project on at work so she was stressing about not being able to take time off to hang out. She said she’ll probably have to work at the weekend too. And it’s her dad’s birthday on Friday so she’s having dinner with her parents.”
“Can’t you have dinner with them too?”
“Apparently not. I did suggest it.” He squeezed the bridge of his nose. “She’s weird about her parents. I told you about having dinner with them last time.”
“Do you think she’s making excuses?” Seren asked tentatively.
“No. She seems generally stressed about work. And the issue with her parents is a real thing. She’s worried about not having much time for me when I’m making the effort to go over. She thinks it’d be better to wait for a weekend when she can take either the Friday or Monday off so we can have more time together.”
“You should just go. Even if she says not to. Show up and surprise her and make it clear that you’re happy to slot in with her plans for the weekend. The trip would be worth it even if you only get a bit of time with her, wouldn’t it?”
“Yes.” His lips twisted to a smirk. “Although I’m fairly sure you’re just trying to get rid of me … what with me being such a miserable-looking ornament or whatever it was you called me!”
“Sorry.” With her arms around his waist, she gave him a quick squeeze. “That was mean of me, even if it was a fairly accurate description.” Laughing, she darted out of his way, and he couldn’t help but smile too. Him being so miserable wasn’t fun for anyone and he knew he needed to get over it. He’d committed to being back on St Mary’s for a while so he should accept that and find a way to settle back into his old life.
There was no reason he couldn’t keep up his relationship with Keira at the same time. He’d see her at the weekend, even if he had to ignore her protests and surprise her.
* * *
Thursday evening was the first night that week that Keira hadn’t spent working. Flopped on the couch, she kept thinking she ought to get her laptop out but her body refused to move. Stress and tiredness had caught up with her, and her eyelids felt so heavy that she knew she wouldn’t get anything productive done. Better to get up early in the morning and get cracking when she felt fresher.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” she asked Mel, glancing along the couch. The TV was on – some psychological thriller that neither of them were really following.
“Did you even ask work for a day off?”
“When?”
“On Monday, so you could have more time with Noah.”
“No, I didn’t. I know I can’t take the day off. And Noah isn’t coming this weekend so it’s irrelevant.”
“He’s not coming because you told him you can’t take any time off.” Mel curled her lip. “I’m wondering whether you really couldn’t take time off or you just think you can’t.”
“Have you noticed that I’ve been working every evening this week? Do you think I do that for fun?”
“No, but I wonder what the consequences would be if you didn’t work every evening …”
“The project wouldn’t get finished on time.”
“Hmm … okay.”
Keira shook her head, too tired to get into a discussion over it.
“You could have told Noah to come anyway,” Mel said.
“It didn’t make sense. I have to go to my parents’ place after work tomorrow. And I’ll have work to do on Saturday. It’s stupid for Noah to pay all that money for the flight when I’ll hardly be able to spend any time with him.”