Page 57 of From Now On

‘I thought I could provide some structure but perhaps I’ve been too strict. I didn’t want them to run wild like Ronnie had.’

‘Mum was happy. Perhaps she didn’t have the career and the smart clothes and the perfectly decorated house but she – they – were happy. It’s what I want for Duke and Nina. For all of us. Including you.’ He takes her hand again.

‘I don’t know, Charlie, you’re so young.’

‘I’m thirty-three.’

‘Now you’re making me feel old. What about New York?’

‘While I was in London I spoke to Simon and told him I’m not going and…’ This is the first time Charlie will have said this out loud. ‘I’ve handed my notice in at the agency. I’m serious about this. Aunt Violet, I want Duke and Nina to move back here, and I want you to be part of our lives. A family.’

It takes an age for her to answer. Her eyes flicker around the kitchen before landing on the cork board. The photos.

‘If that’s what Nina and Duke want to do then okay,’ she says. ‘Okay.’

They stand and hug, Charlie feeling as though Violet has given him something infinitely precious and she has, although they were not hers to give.

In the hallway they meet the police officer.

‘Can I have a word,’ she asks them and they talk for several minutes.

In the lounge Charlie notices the blood-stained tissue Duke is pressing to his fingers, the broken glass. Horrified, he rushes over to his brother and gently removes the tissue, checking the cut.

It’s stopped bleeding, thankfully.

‘Am I in a lot of trouble?’ Duke asks in a small voice. ‘Do I have to go and live in a children’s home now?’

‘No. You just need to go to Aunt Violet’s.’ Charlie takes a long nervous breath. ‘You both need to go to Aunt Violet’s to get your things because you’re moving back here with me. If you want to, of course.’

He has barely finished his sentence when Duke’s arms are around him and they are hugging, both crying. He rests his chin on the top of Duke’s head and raises his eyes to Nina’s, seeing the scepticism in hers.

‘I know I’ve let you down,’ he says, ‘but this time it’ll be different. This time—’

‘Whatever.’ Nina picks up her bag and slings it over her shoulder. ‘Are we going then or what?’

‘I…’ Aunt Violet clears her throat. ‘I thought I could cook something nice while you’re packing and we can have dinner together before I drive you back here. We can talk properly, about your mum. If you’d like?’

‘Whatever,’ Nina says again. She’s angry, confused, but Charlie also knows she’s scared.

He untangles himself from Duke and walks over to her, waiting to speak until she looks at him and when she does,he says, low and quiet, ‘I promise I will not let you down again,’ and he means it.

He watches from the window as his siblings climb into Aunt Violet’s car. He can’t help smiling, knowing they will be back soon. He pushes his glasses up onto the bridge of his nose, his lenses suddenly coated in a rose-coloured hue.

He has a million things to do before they return – shop… there’s nothing in for breakfast; the house is filthy; he’ll make up the beds with fresh sheets; collect Billie – but he doesn’t mind any of it.

That’s part of being a family, isn’t it? Chaos, responsibility, doing things for other people. He’s looking forward to it all. The years to come before the children leave home, strengthening their fragile bond.

What Charlie doesn’t yet know is that, by September, only six short months away, their household of three will become a household of two and he will be heartbroken, once more.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Duke

Duke texts Evie:

IT WORKED!!! Living at home with Charlie FOREVER & didn’t even spend all of your trip money!

Evie –You are a GENIUS!

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