It took him a minute to speak. “That it wasn’t his fault and he shouldn’t blame himself …”
“It was definitely something along those lines.” Reaching over, she slipped her fingers into his again. “Are you okay?”
He nodded but gazed out to sea, pointedly avoiding eye contact. “I keep telling myself that there’s no point in dwelling on it. What’s done is done and I can’t do anything to change it. But it seems crazy that I slowed down to avoid talking to him. Or that I chose not to go out on the boat with him.” He took a breath. “All I want to do now is go out sailing with him.”
“I know,” she said, resting her head against his shoulder. “I’m sorry.”
After a couple of minutes, he sat up straighter, pulling his hand from hers to wipe tears from his cheeks.
“We should probably get back,” he said, ducking under the boom and moving to untie the rope from the mast.
“We could lie down and watch the clouds for a bit if you want?” Anything to keep her on the boat with him a little while longer.
“Thanks.” He flashed a smile without looking at her. “But I don’t want Mum to worry.”
With a twist of disappointment in her gut, she handed him his phone, then stepped back over to the dinghy while Kit held the boats level. “Want me to tow you home?” she asked.
“I’m okay. There’s enough of a breeze to get me back.” He threw the rope back to her, causing the boats to drift apart. “Thanks for coming to look for me.”
“Of course.” She gave him a sympathetic smile, then switched the engine on, the noise breaking the atmosphere.
With a quick wave, she set off, following the shoreline all the way back to Mirren’s place.
CHAPTERTWENTY-FIVE
Mirren was busy in the kitchen when Seren arrived at the house. Her hair was freshly cut and styled, and she seemed determined not to let the emotions of the day get to her.
“I’m just making chicken legs and baked potatoes and salad,” she told Seren. “That’s all right, isn’t it?”
“Sounds great to me. What can I help with?”
“There isn’t much to do.” She turned to wash the potatoes, then let out a frustrated sigh. “What about dessert? I hadn’t even thought about that. I could make an apple pie, but the weather’s too nice to be eating a warm dessert.”
“We can have ice cream,” Seren suggested. “Everyone will be happy with ice cream.”
“Can you check if there’s some in the freezer?”
Seren found half a tub of chocolate chip, but there was no way that would be enough. “I’ll run into town and buy some,” she told Mirren. “Do you need anything else?”
“I don’t think so. Although I’m not sure my brain is functioning properly today. I’ll probably think of something later.”
“Are you okay?” Seren asked, draping her arm around Mirren’s shoulders.
Briefly, Mirren leaned her head on Seren’s shoulder. “I think so, love.”
“I’ll be back soon. Call me if you think of anything else you need.”
As well as getting the shopping, Seren nipped home for a shower, then picked up a bunch of flowers for Mirren on the way back to the house.
“I see I’ve been outdone,” Seren said, noticing a huge bouquet of flowers on the table when she handed over her own bunch.
“They just arrived. Jago sent them.”
“That’s nice of him.”
“Yes. He called me earlier too. It was good to speak to him.”
“How is he?”