Page 113 of The Reno
The sound of Fleetwood Mac and the smell of Sunday lunch permeated the room, and I was overstimulated. It wasn’t a bad case, but I knew fresh air always set me right.
Liam frowned. “Are you sure?”
“You worry too much.”
“We can go when you’re ready.”
I kissed the top of his head and dipped outside. The fresh air hit my face. Hints of spring had begun setting in Brian and Sandra’s garden, and the smell of magnolia and freshly mown grass hung in the air. I closed my eyes and took a few deep breaths.
“Alright, Kat?” Brian popped his head out of the patio doors.
“Yeah.” I smiled. “All good. Just admiring your magnolia tree.”
Brian stood next to me; the tree had begun budding pink and white flowers.
“That is Sandra’s favourite. I planted it here the first summer we moved into this house, almost thirty years ago.” He smiled at the memory. “It was a right pain. We’d had a cold winter, so the soil was hard as stone. I spent hours making sure the hole was dug deep enough and that it was in the best spot. I bought her a table and chairs so she could sit underneath it. She’d mentioned it was her favourite tree, but we’d been living in a terrace house with no garden. So once we bought this house, I went straight to the garden centre.” Brian laughed. “She was pregnant with Lydia and burst into tears when she saw it.”
“Never took you for a romantic, Uncle Brian.”
Brian shrugged. “I’d do anything for her. I’d plant a million more magnolia trees if it made her happy.”
“So, that’s the secret to a long, happy marriage, then? Gardening.”
Brian glanced at me, and his expression grew serious. “It’s being willing to make the other person as happy as you feel just to be around them.”
Liam’s face popped into my head. Hadn’t he done that for me?
He’d refused to charge me for the renovation. He’d wrangledWilla onto a train and paid for her tickets because I’d mentioned it once. He kept cooking for me, and I knew he was keeping a note of my favourite ones on his notes app because I’d snuck a look on his phone.
Deep down, I knew he was trying to give me reasons to stay. He said we were keeping it casual, but his actions spoke louder than his words.
“Do me a favour, Kat.” Brian wrapped an arm around my shoulders. “If you’re considering staying, we couldn’t be happier. For both of you.” Brian glanced behind us, where Liam was sitting laughing with his dad. “But if you’re going back. Tell him. Soon. Because we both know he’s betting on convincing you to stay.”
My throat closed up.
“I will, Brian,” I croaked. “I’m just—I don’t know what to do. I never imagined any of this happening. I thought I was just coming up here, and I didn’t realise you’d all be so lovely—” My voice cracked.
I hadn’t realised this could feel like home.
Brian squeezed me tighter. “I, for one, have been chuffed to get to know my niece better. So whatever you do. If you do want to sell the house and go back down south, do it. But remember you’re always welcome back, love. Sandra and I have become a bit attached to you the past couple of weeks, and we don’t want it to return to how it was before. Your mum—”
Brian’s mouth shut closed. His lips were a thin, flat line. It was the face of someone who was about to say too much.
“What about Mum?”
Brian dropped his hand. “It’s not my place, love.”
“Uncle Brian,” I warned.
Brian sighed. “Your mum—well, it’s been no secret she didn’t like it here. Even when she was still married to your dad, she hated coming to visit. She thought everyone was barmy.” Brian shook his head. “She looked down on us. So it was no surprise your visits stopped too—”
I nodded. “I know.”
Brian shifted on his feet. “Well, when your parents divorced and your dad moved back here. She…” Brian winced. “After they divorced, Paula wouldn’t let your dad see you. I told him he needed to get a custody agreement. He needed to fight for you.”
My heart raced, tingles shot down my arms. “She—she wouldn’t do that.”
Brian’s face was grave. “I’m sorry, Kat. If there weren’t any reason to bring it up, I wouldn’t have. But I think you deserve to know. Your dad—he was really low after the divorce. He took on the blame because of all the money problems he’d caused.”
