Beth sighed. “Oh god.”
“I was so angry with myself for letting him hear it from someone else. He got on a flight that afternoon and had just got back here when we got the news that Dad’s body had been found. Lowen’s never forgiven us. He moved to Bryher and is practically a hermit.”
“That must be so hard. For all of you. I can’t imagine what it was like.”
“I should have called him as soon as we knew Dad was missing.”
“It must have been such a difficult time. I can’t imagine any of you were thinking clearly.”
“That’s no excuse.” Trystan sat back beside Beth. “To make matters worse, Mum had called Jago in New York to let him know what was going on. Lowen took it personally … he thought …”
“What?” Beth slipped her hand into his, the feel of her soft skin soothing him immediately.
“Lowen is Dad’s son from a previous marriage. His biological mother died shortly after giving birth to him. He always had a bit of a chip on his shoulder about the fact that our mum isn’t his biological mother. I could never really figure out why, since he was two when Mum and Dad got together. He doesn’t remember a time when Mum wasn’t in his life and she always treated him the same as us.” He smiled lightly. “Actually, I sometimes thought she favoured him … I kind of got the impression she over-compensated for not being his birth mum. He seemed to get away with everything. Mum was stricter with the rest of us …” He looked at Beth and took a breath. “Sorry, I’m rambling on.”
“It’s fine.”
“I’ve kind of got used to Lowen being distant with me, but sometimes it hits me how much I miss him. I miss the way things used to be between us. I get angry with him for not letting it go … and then I get angry with myself. I should have called him the minute I heard Dad was missing. If it was the other way around I’d have wanted to know.”
“Does he really never answer your calls?”
“No. We haven’t spoken on the phone since that night. He’ll reply to my messages, though it usually takes him a day or two. And if there’s anything pressing he’ll email or message me, but most of the time it seems as though he doesn’t want anything to do with me.”
“I’m sorry.”
“It’s like he’s not the same person that he was. But when you and Ellie were there last week, it felt like I got a glimpse of who he used to be. He was so relaxed with you and Ellie. I remembered why he’d always been my best friend. He’s the sort of person who’d patiently let a little girl play around on the pottery wheel to cheer her up after she broke a mug.” He let out a low growl as he flopped back onto the couch. “He’s making a whole dinner set for my ex-girlfriend.”
Beth frowned. “Do you think he’s doing that to try and annoy you?”
“No. That wasn’t my point. My point is he’s a nice guy. The sort of person who’d make a dinner set for his brother’s ex, which I doubt he’ll charge her for.” He pinched the bridge of his nose. “I really miss him.”
“Things will get better. I know it’s a cliche but time is a great healer. I’m sure he’s hurt and grieving. I really don’t think he hates you.”
“I don’t either really. I just want things to be how they were before.”
“Be patient,” she said, stroking his cheek. “Maybe one day they will be.”
Pulling her closer, he kissed her slowly. “Thank you for coming over.”
“You’re welcome. Ellie was going to do some baking with your mum, but I should go back and check she isn’t terrorising her too much. Do you want to come up and have dinner with us?”
After being adamant he wanted to be alone, it wasn’t very appealing any more. “That sounds good,” he said, but didn’t move to get up. “Can we just stay here for a few more minutes.”
“Yes,” she said, settling against his chest.
They stayed that way for a good ten minutes before they finally dragged themselves up. Somehow, Beth managed to get him laughing on the short walk up to his mum’s house, and he was struck once again by how easy she was to be around and was amazed by how she’d managed to completely change his mood.
They’d just reached the back door when Beth’s phone rang. Creases wrinkled her forehead as she looked at the display.
“I need to take this,” she said, already moving away from him. “I’ll just be a minute.”
In the kitchen the sweet smell of freshly baked biscuits filled the air. He smiled at the chatter from his mum and Ellie, but hovered by the window, glancing frequently out at Beth, who paced the length of the patio with the phone to her ear and a serious expression on her face.
“What’s wrong?” he asked when she walked into the kitchen.
“That was the manager at my dad’s care home.” The tension was evident in the set of her shoulders. “His doctor wants to change one of his medications and they need me to go in and sign paperwork for it.”
“Can’t they send you the paperwork?” Mirren asked.