Page 49 of New Year, New Guy
‘I considered taking all this to the police at one point and if it was only targeting the staff members who turned a blind eye I’d do it tomorrow, but I got to thinking about all the boys . . . and we were only boys at the end of the day. They’ve either made their peace or not with what went on and all our lives have been affected.’
They fell silent with the only sound coming from the gentle ticking of an antique grandfather clock on one side of the brick fireplace.
‘To a large extent my time at Greystone made me the man I am today.’ Danny wandered over to gaze out of the large bay window. The wind was picking up and white tips frothed the waves crashing against the jagged cliffs.
‘Yeah, me too. My folks tried everything to put me straight but nothin’ worked. Maybe I needed that place and everything it stood for to see where my life was headed.’ He cracked a half-smile. ‘I’d rather not have gone through it but we don’t always get to pick and choose.’ The nugget of sympathy he’d begun to feel for his parents grew with every passing day. Laura was right. Until he faced his family and they were totally honest with each other his attempts to move on would only ever be on the surface. ‘When Johnny comes back from honeymoon why don’t you come up to Plymouth and we can—’
‘—have a drink for old times’ sake? I don’t think so.’ Danny shook his head. ‘Seeing you again has done it for me. I’m happy to lay things to rest now.’
A pang of disappointment shot through him, but Hunter realised it was more for himself and how he’d hoped this might play out. He suspected Johnny would be inwardly relieved while putting on a show of being disappointed with the outcome. ‘Fair enough.’
‘This little girl wants her daddy.’ Eleanor sailed back in and deposited her daughter in Danny’s arms.
For a second Hunter caught Laura’s sadness as her gaze lingered on the gurgling baby.
‘Do you fancy a stroll along the beach? We usually like to walk off a big lunch.’
‘Thanks, but we’d better be gettin’ back to Plymouth.’ He sensed Laura’s relief. ‘Some poor nurse has to work tomorrow.’
The women took little Amy outside, leaving the two men standing together by the door.
‘Thanks for getting in touch. It took guts,’ Danny ventured.
‘I don’t know about that but thank you for . . . everything.’
‘Are you ready?’ Laura asked.
‘Yeah, I’m ready.’ He nodded at Danny. ‘Definitely ready.’ They both knew he meant far more than simply being all set to wedge himself in the tiny car for the drive back to Devon.
* * *
‘Do you mind if I have an early night?’ They’d been polite with each other since leaving Newquay. Hunter hadn’t offered up any details about the chat he’d with Danny and she’d avoided mentioning little Amy.
‘I take it that isn’t a “we”?’ Hunter threw her a quizzical look. ‘I’ll move back into the guest room if you need space.’
This was the problem when people weren’t honest with each other. A streak of irritation raced through her. ‘This is stupid.’ She folded her arms. ‘We’re talking.’ A flare of admiration brightened his sombre gaze. ‘Let’s sit down and you can start first.’ She ignored Hunter’s raised eyebrows which seemed to say ‘why me?’. ‘Start with every detail of your conversation with Daniel, including how it made you feel. It won’t kill you.’ Laura swallowed the lump in her throat. ‘I’ll do the same about Amy when you’re through.’
‘Fine.’
She suspected Marie Antoinette sounded more enthusiastic on her way to the guillotine. The only help she gave Hunter was by not interrupting or asking any questions until he slumped back in the chair.
‘When somethin’ has been hangin’ over your head for two decades it’s mighty strange to finally have the burden lifted.’
‘In a good way?’
‘Yeah, but the next task is tackling my family.’
‘I’ll do anything I can to help.’
‘Including coming to Nashville with me?’
‘Of course.’
‘Seriously?’
‘Unless you’ve changed your mind in the last two seconds?’
‘No way,’ he said quickly.
