Page 74 of Kindling
Fraser swallowed. “What do you think, Mum? Eiley?”
“I can’t believe this,” Myra said, shaking her head, and he stiffened until Eiley cut in.
“They’re amazing, Fraser.” Eiley’s face was shining with pride.
“They’re wondrous,” breathed Myra, eyes glistening. “My boy, an artist!”
Finally, Fraser broke into a smile. He blinked rapidly then cleared his throat. “I know I should have said something to you sooner.” He turned his gaze to Harper. “But I’m glad somebody convinced me they deserved to be shown off.”
“Aye, that they do!” Myra exclaimed, leaning heavily on her crutch as though he’d truly swept her off her feet. “I remember you used to bring home all sorts of beautiful work when you were at high school. I always hoped you’d stick with something creative.”
“Creativity doesn’t pay the billsis actually what you said,” Fraser replied pointedly. Another pang shot through Harper. Unfortunately, that was true. Her unfinished novel wouldn’t be garnering an income any time soon, even if she aimed for a bestseller.
Returning to Brentworth would.
“Well, you might just prove me wrong.” Myra slipped between the stalls to take Fraser’s face in her hands.Her cheeks were swollen with pride, eyes glittering with the same ocean-blue clarity as his. “You make me so proud.”
Fraser slipped out of the stall and pulled his mother into a hug. Eiley joined, along with Brook, and Harper was content to stand back and watch the sweet moment unfold. It must be the best feeling in the world, she thought, to have a big family like that, full of love and support. Her own parents were wonderful, but she’d always longed for funny aunts and gruff uncles, kind-hearted grandmas and softly spoken grandpas. Cousins. Nieces, nephews. A full circle of people shebelongedwith, not just at Christmas and birthdays, but all year round.
Andy, on the other hand, mimicked poking their finger down their throat and gagging. “That’s my cue to leave. Cheers though, pal. And you, Harper. Come and stop by the B&B this week, won’t you? I promise I won’t force you to paint again.”
Harper laughed. “I’ll try,” was all she could promise.
While Fraser and his mum continued chatting, a few of the locals joining in, Eiley tugged Harper’s sleeve gently. “Shall we grab a coffee?” Her gaze was soft. Knowing.
Harper nodded. Eiley asked Myra to watch Brook, then Harper followed Eiley past the sunflower barrels and face-painting stand. She wheeled Saffron and Sky expertly across the cobbles, all the way to the Raindrop Café’s minute stall. A few tables and chairs had been set up around it, and Cam was offering out tasters of scones and flavoured lattes to those interested.Still no pumpkin spice, Harper lamented sadly.
“We’ll have whatever drinks have the most calories,” Eiley said as they greeted Cam, perching on the chair closest.
“I like your style.” Harper took a deep breath as she joined her at the table. Her feet throbbed from standing up for most of the day in her heeled boots, but she found she quite liked the ache. It was proof she’d made a change, done something different and important with someone she…
She bit down on the inside of her cheek, a small punishment for being so silly.Loved, she’d wanted to think. Suddenly, she wished she could pause time. Wanted to stay frozen here at this table, so that she would never have to tell Fraser about the job, and so that she would never have to get on the train back to Manchester.
Eiley glanced at her as she rocked the pram back and forth. Behind her, Cam steamed the milk with a raucous sputter from the machine.
“You’ve done so much for my brother,” Eiley began finally. “He never would have shown us his work without you.”
Harper shrugged. “I’m sure he would have eventually. He just needed a bit of prodding.”
“He needed more than that.” Eiley leaned forwards, playing with the laminated menu on the table. “I’ve always tried to give him the same support that he gives me, but he usually likes to keep quiet when he’s struggling. He’s always so… hyper-focused on work, or whatever else needs to be done. It’s like he’s put up a barrier between us.”
“I think he likes to take care of you,” Harper said tenderly. But she knew exactly what Eiley meant about the barrier. She wasn’t entirely convinced she’d passed over it yet, either.
“It’s more than that. Heneedsto take care of us, or at least, he thinks he does.”
Harper frowned, so Eiley continued. “I barely remember our dad, but I know Fraser saw a lot of the hurt Mum was put through when he left. I think maybe he thinks he has to be our father as well as our brother, to make up for it. All that ‘man of the house’ crap. I don’t believe in it, but Dad did. Fraser does.”
“He does take on too much,” she agreed, thinking of Fraser’s reaction to Andy and their pointed remarks. He didn’t like to fall short. Liked to be on top of everything all the time. Even down to the feelings he had for Harper, and hers for him – he’d been so reluctant to give in to them.
Harper understood. She’d lived most of her life trying to be perfect, whether it was on social media, at work, in her relationships. Every setback felt like the end of the world, a personal failure, proof she was just not good enough.
She hated to think of Fraser with that same mindset, especially when it came to family. Wasn’t that supposed to be the one thing in life that was simple, easy? One thing you didn’t have to work for?
“But he’s got better since he met you,” said Eiley. She sat back as Cam placed down their drinks, two large mugs towering with whipped cream, caramel sauce, and chocolate sprinkles.
Harper looked up at Cam. “My sweet tooth and I love you.”
Cam patted her shoulder. “I love you both, too. What are we talking about?” She peeked over her shoulder,found no customers waiting at the counter, and straddled the back of a chair from the next table over to face them.
