Page 48 of New Year, New Guy
‘They’d finally worn me down,’ Hunter admitted. ‘I’d been at Greystone almost two years and because of my ingrained stubbornness it was a non-stop battle. I couldn’t do it any longer. I’m sorry.’
‘But didn’t you also want to thank him?’ Eleanor murmured.
‘Thank me?’ Hunter couldn’t hide his incredulity. ‘What for?’
‘That day was a turning point for me, because I realised I couldn’t rely on anyone except myself.’ Danny grimaced. ‘I half-hoped you’d stop me leaving because I had no plan and no clue where I was going.’
‘Was it tough?’
‘No worse than staying in that bloody dump a minute longer.’ He shook his head. ‘If I’d gone home to my aunt and uncle they’d have kicked me right back to Greystone. I made my way to Llandudno because I’d been there with my parents on holiday and . . . I took the good memories as a sign.’ A rash of heat crept up his neck. ‘I picked up work in a hotel kitchen and got room and board with the job.’
‘But you were only sixteen. Didn’t they need identification for taxes and that kind of thing?’
‘No. A lot of those jobs are under the radar. They don’t ask and you don’t volunteer.’
‘It’s where he got his start in the hospitality business.’ Eleanor’s pride was unmistakeable. ‘He owns a string of restaurants across the country now. Have you heard of Granite Grills?’
‘That’s you?’ Laura piped up. ‘Oh, the name. That’s very clever.’
‘Bit of a play on words.’ Danny shrugged.
‘Why?’ Hunter couldn’t get his head around it. ‘Why would you want the constant reminder?’
The added years etched deep tracks into Danny’s face. ‘Because I don’t ever intend to forget what I went through and what I’ve achieved since those days.’ He clutched his wife’s hand. ‘If it hadn’t been for Eleanor and now my daughter, I’d be a bitter man. Extremely rich, but bitter, and that’s no way to live.’
‘What about you, Hunter? How has life treated you since your time at Greystone?’
Eleanor’s question took him aback. He determined not to come across as self-pitying in front of this man who’d suffered so much.
The ear-piercing wail of an unhappy little girl streamed through the baby monitor and on the video feed they spotted her red-faced, kicking her legs like crazy and flailing her arms in the air to be rescued from her crib.
‘Never any rest for weary parents.’ Eleanor laughed.
‘Do you mind if I come with you?’ Laura jumped up from the sofa and Hunter stifled the urge to pull her back down with him. ‘Be honest,’ she whispered. ‘That’s all he needs.’ Her gentle encouragement helped calm his nerves. This trip to England wasn’t turning out anything like he’d expected.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
‘Life’s been a bit of a mixed bag.’ Hunter launched into everything that’d happened since they last met, leaving nothing out.
‘I admire the work you’re doing with young people.’
‘You could consider a similar project here.’ He didn’t push, aware that everyone dealt with the past their own way.
‘I’ll definitely think about it.’ Danny walked over to a dark slate-topped bar in the corner of the room and poured them both a generous measure of whisky. ‘I think we deserve this. Don’t know about you, but baring my soul doesn’t come naturally.’
‘It sure doesn’t.’ He savoured the welcoming burn in his throat.
‘There’s a lot of work being done here in reclaimed building materials these days. Not as much in the way of wood as you’re used to but you strike me as adaptable. A man like you could make a killing.’
‘And I’d want to do that because?’
‘Eleanor straightened me out and, from the little I’ve seen of her, Laura could do the same for you.’ Danny gripped his shoulder. ‘Don’t let her get away.’
He could claim that things were complicated but they were for everyone. Things hadn’t been smooth sailing for Polly and Johnny and now they were on their honeymoon so perhaps he should listen and learn.
‘Change of subject. What’s Johnny Matthews up to these days? Apart from getting married that is.’
Safer topic. Hunter rattled off a brief synopsis of Johnny’s life since they were at school together. ‘It might not be my place to say but he carries a lot of guilt over taking part in harassing you back in the day.’ He didn’t mention Johnny’s attempt to hide the past from his new bride.
