Page 92 of The Sunken Truth
“They wouldn’t serve me in the pub after you left,” he said without inflection.
“Seren is a friend of mine. She wouldn’t have appreciated the way you spoke to me.”
“Not just her.” He took a swig of his drink. “The barman also refused to serve me, and one or two customers made their opinions known too. Then the owner arrived and as soon as they told him I’d insulted you, he told me to be on my way. Didn’t care that I was a superintendent.”
Flynn felt a warm flutter in his chest as he imagined the scene in the pub.
“It seems you’re well liked around here,” his dad said.
Flynn didn’t comment.
“The sergeant also spent the last few days singing your praises and telling me what an outstanding officer you are.”
Flynn waited a beat. “If you have a point, I’m not sure what it is.” Heaven forbid his dad admit he might be good at his job. More likely, he’d believe Flynn was a con artist and had everyone fooled.
“I don’t think I have a point. I was just commenting, that’s all.”
They fell into silence and Flynn’s heart sped up as hecontemplated raising the subject of staying longer on the Scillies.
“Gina is threatening to divorce me,” his dad said out of the blue.
Taken aback, Flynn was lost for words. His dad didn’t share anything from his personal life, so it felt weird that he’d mention his marital problems.
“I didn’t realise you were in contact with her,” he added.
“I’m not really,” Flynn said. “We just email about Jake and Rosie sometimes. Mostly, around their birthdays when I want to know what to buy them.”
He nodded slowly. “Funny that, because she suddenly knows a lot of stuff about my relationship with you. Stuff she isn’t very happy about.”
“She emailed me a while back,” Flynn said. “Asking how often I was in touch with you, and how much I saw you when I was growing up…”
“And you made out thatIwas the problem in our relationship?”
Realisation dawned on Flynn. “Are you about to blame your marital problems on me?” It was an effort not to laugh. “Did Gina really only just realise what a terrible father you’ve been to me?”
His eyes flashed with anger. “I didn’t want to be a father back then. Your mother knew that. I provided for you.”
“I don’t think paying child support is really what makes someone a good father.” He slouched back in his chair. “Are your problems with Gina the reason for your visit? You’re trying to convince her you’re a decent person, so you’ve come to visit your son?”
He shook his head but didn’t verbally deny it.
“If it helps I can email her,” Flynn said. “Tell her youwere here and it was good to see you and spend time with you.”
His dad’s features scrunched with suspicion. “Why would you do that?”
“Because I want something from you, too.” He paused and took a breath. “You pulled strings to get me posted here. I’d like you to pull more strings so I can stay.”
In the silence, Flynn’s heart thumped furiously. “I’d be out of your way. You can go back to pretending I don’t exist and I swear I’ll go along with that. I’ll never mention to anyone that we’re related.”
Finally, he stopped talking and held his breath, waiting for an answer.
“The sergeant already asked me about it,” his dad said slowly. “I spoke to some people, but it’s not a possibility.”
“Can you speak to someone else?” Flynn asked desperately. “Or speak to them again?”
“It won’t make any difference. There isn’t a permanent position for another PC and I can’t create one. I would if I could.”
With his chest tight and his thoughts hazy, Flynn stood.
