Page 43 of The Secret We Keep
Left his kids without their father.
I knew being a paramedic wasn’t going to be easy. But I worked my arse off to be the man I always knew I was capable of becoming. After the accident, every patient I helped, every emergency I dealt with, they all got harder to face. Harder to not let my emotions get the better of me, which is something you can’t do in this line of work. You have to be able to separate them from reality.
To make matters worse, when I was needed the night at the pub, I froze, completely grounded by fear. I can still hear Jake and Danny shouting at me to help. Can still hear the mother crying for her son. I can’t be like that on the job. People count onmeto help them.
So, I listened to Jake, and left London. Came back to the only place I knew I could. Where I feel most at peace.
Hearing Kevin bark, I’m pulled from my thoughts, the blur of my memories disappearing.
Morgan and Evie come back into view.
It’s clear to me that Morgan’s parents are making her miserable. I don’t know why, but I know that they are. There has to be a reason. Parents don’t shelter their kids the way they have unless something’s up.
Now that I’m back, although I still don’t know how long for, I’m not sure that I’m going to let this lie. There’s no way I can be here, around Morgan, and not look out for her. I just have to hope that I’m strong enough not to let my fear get in the way.
I look at her again, seeing the radiant way she interacts with Evie and the pup. Her hair’s loose. The rippling, golden curls fanning around her face.
Evie looks up from her place on the grass, and Morgan holds out a hand for her. I can’t lip read what they say, but as Evie dusts herself off, Morgan points towards the house, gesturing to go inside.
With a start, I turn so as not to get caught intruding, hurrying to the kitchen.
Evie comes running around the corner, skidding to a halt when she sees me. “Uncle Paddy, we’re ready to take Kevin on his first ever walk!”
With a smile, I reach for the lead hanging on the hook. “Okay, kiddo.” It’s nice hearing the excitement in her voice. Kid’s had to grow up fast.
She beams at me, her eyes then zipping to Morgan who walks into view with Kevin by her feet.
“He’s almost ready,” Evie chimes.
My brow furrows. “What do you meanalmostready?” I ask Evie seriously, checking that we have everything we need. “I’ve got the poo bags, and the whistle that only dogs can hear. Watch.” I give the whistle a light blow.
Kevin’s ears flop lopsided on his head, but they prick up when his head twists from left to right.
It makes me laugh. Dumb thing. “See. Only he can hear it.”
Evie laughs at me with a playful roll of her eyes. “No. I meantyou.Are you really going out dressed likethat?”
I look down at my favourite trainers, blue jeans and sports hoodie. “What’s wrong with how I look?”
She scoffs, her hand covering her mouth.
“Hey,” I say in my defence.
“Come on. Uncles are supposed to be cool. Morgan, tell him,” Evie pleads.
Morgan’s face flushes pink as Evie spins around to face her.
“Tell him he looks odd.”
“Odd?” I question, my fingers tightening around the leather lead in my hand. I’m in my mid-twenties, not approaching my fucking forties. Kid may be cute but I’m not getting called out by her. Not a chance.
“Yeah. Odd.” She glimmers at Morgan, waiting for her response.
Morgan looks like she doesn’t know what to say. Whatever it is, I can tell it will be something to appease both of us. That’s her through and through. Always trying to please everyone.
“Well, I, uh…” She looks me up and down with hesitant eyes. It’s like she wants to look but she’s not sure if she should.
I make it easy for her, holding out my arms, giving her a three-sixty spin. “Go on. Tell me I don’t look good in these jeans.”
