Chapter Twelve
The One With Daddy Cool
‘Theo!’
A small head popped up as Kate neared the little boy, who sat on a rucksack. He leapt to his feet, wrapping his arms around his body, his expression wary and so reminiscent of his father.
Kate stopped a few paces away, smiling kindly. ‘Are you on your own?’
A nod was the only response, but Theo averted his eyes, his gaze dropping to his feet, which were thankfully shod in sturdy trainers.
‘I’m out for a walk after work,’ Kate continued conversationally. She took a step closer. ‘I like it out here, don’t you?’
She wasn’t sure why Theo was alone, but based on the first time she’d met him, she wouldn’t be surprised if he’d taken it into his head to go adventuring again.
Another cautious step and Kate was in front of him. ‘Theo?’
He looked up, his large blue eyes sad. ‘Shall we sit for a bit? Not for long, because it’s going to get dark, mind.’
Another nod, and Theo flopped down on his rucksack again, which emitted a sharp squeak.
Lips twitching, Kate settled on a smoothish rock beside him, and they both stared back towards Polkerran.
‘I come here quite often,’ Kate mused. ‘I like the sound of the waves, it’s soothing.’
A sound came from Theo, but again, he said nothing. She needed to encourage him to come with her, because if she had to leave him, by the time she came back with Dev – or anyone else who could help encourage Theo home – dusk would have fallen.
‘Is that a friend of yours, in your bag?’ Kate inclined her head towards the rucksack. ‘I think I heard him ask to be let out.’
A reluctant smile formed on the little boy’s features and he wriggled to one side, tugging the rucksack upright and opening it. Kate pretended not to notice the contents as Theo rummaged inside.
‘This is Bungie.’ Theo heaved on a pair of ears and held aloft a somewhat squashed teddy bear.
‘Ah, how do you do, Bungie?’ Kate said, shaking a paw. ‘Pleased to meet you. My name is Kate and Theo is a friend of my Mollie. She’s my daughter. Isn’t that right, Theo?’
A vigorous nod followed.
‘And how old is Bungie?’
‘Like me. I was four, then I was five. At Christmas. So was Bungie.’
Gosh, he was tall for his age, then, bless him. And far too young to be out here alone.
‘Where is your Mollie?’
‘She’s staying with her grandparents for a few days, but she’ll be home soon. I’m sure she’d love to see you and meet Bungie.’
Theo’s face fell. ‘I’m going away.’
‘Are you? Where are you going?’
‘I…’ he faltered, sending a regretful look at the lighthouse behind them. ‘I… there’s no door!’ he exclaimed.
‘Hmm.’ Kate looked serious. ‘You’re right. I don’t think anyone lives in this lighthouse, Theo.’
‘But I read a book about one. A man lived in it. He put the light on to help the ships. He was lonely.’
‘Did you want to visit him?’
Theo nodded.
‘No one lives in this lighthouse because it’s a remotely operated one. Do you know what that means?’
A shake of a head.
‘The light is a bit like a battery one, so no one has to switch it on and off. Would you like me to find out if there’s one that can be visited?’
‘Yes, please!’ Theo’s countenance filled with delight.
‘I’d need to ask your dad’s permission, though. Shall we do that?’
A momentary hesitation, but then the little boy got to his feet, stuffing Bungie rather unceremoniously back into the bag and zipping it up.
‘Can we go now? To the lighthouse with the man, I mean.’
‘Probably not right now, but I promise I will find out for you. Anyway,’ Kate glanced at her watch, ‘it’s teatime. I’m starving. Aren’t you?’
A thoughtful expression settled on Theo’s features as he hefted the backpack onto his shoulder. ‘S’pose so.’
‘Come on.’ Kate held out her hand, unsure if it was the right thing to do. Theo seemed so reticent and wary of strangers, but to her relief – after a momentary hesitation – he placed his small hand in hers, and they made their way carefully back along the stretch of rocks to the relative safety of the root-strewn path through the trees to rejoin the coast path.
Kate chatted about Mollie and what she planned to do when she came back to Polkerran the following week, and Theo said nothing but seemed content walking by her side. As they reached the tall, wrought-iron gates outside Harbourwatch, Dev came flying out of the door.
‘Theo! Where the hell have you been? Half the village is on the lookout. I was about to call the police!’
Theo’s grasp on Kate’s hand tightened for a second, but then he rushed into his dad’s outstretched arms and a lump formed in her throat at Dev’s anguished expression as his eyes closed, holding his son tightly.
‘He’s fine. He was off on an adventure to the lighthouse.’
Dev released a visible deep breath, then straightened, this time with Theo’s hand clasped in his own. ‘Thank you for bringing him home. I never thought to look out that way. He could have slipped, fallen into the water. I…’
Even in the falling light, Kate could see the emotion in Dev’s eyes and how pale his skin had gone. Impulsively, she stepped forward, placing a comforting hand on his arm momentarily.
‘But he didn’t. He was very sensible and walked carefully. Now he’s home, safe.’ She turned to Theo with a kind smile. ‘It was lovely to see you again. I won’t forget my promise.’
Dev frowned as he looked between his son and Kate, but then Theo piped up.
‘Kate must stay for tea, Daddy. She’s very, very hungry.’
‘Oh, no. That’s very sweet of you, Theo, but—’
‘Join us?’ Dev spoke with a warmth that surprised Kate, and she hesitated.
‘I think I’d better head back. I was doing a circular walk.’ She gestured at her boots.
‘Please come to tea.’ Theo’s plea was impossible to resist, and as he raced up the steps to the front door, Kate hesitated.
‘If it helps, I’m starving too,’ Dev added. ‘I’d better make a few calls, let people know Theo’s safe, but then we’ll eat. There’s always too much for the two of us and I hate throwing food away.’
A smile tugged at Kate’s mouth as she followed Dev up the steps. ‘Waste isn’t good for the environment. If it will ease your conscience, I’ll be happy to help out.’
To her surprise, Dev laughed, and Kate unfastened her boots, uncertain why it made her feel as though she’d won a medal.
Tea was eaten at the large, square kitchen table and consisted of hearty bowls of potato and leek soup, soft bread rolls and then a plate of sandwiches – sufficient to feed several people – and a bowl of crisps.
‘Salt and vinegar, my favourite.’ Kate popped a crisp in her mouth and Theo grinned at her.
‘They’re Daddy’s fav too.’
Kate was finding it hard to look at Daddy. Dev’s entire demeanour towards her had altered in an instant, and if this was the hidden man, he was having a powerful effect on her.
When the meal was over, Dev accompanied Theo to a snug off the far end of the hall, where the little boy happily settled down to play a game, Bungie tucked at his side.
‘I’d better go. I’m—’
‘Wait. Please.’ Dev opened the door to a small but charming sitting room. ‘I’d appreciate it if you’d let me know what happened.’
Kate walked into the room and Dev invited her to take a seat before walking over to a polished sideboard housing a well-stocked array of drinks.
‘What’s your tipple?’
‘Gin, if you’ve got it?’
‘Try the local one. Tonic?’
‘Yes, please.’
Dev lifted the lid on an ice bucket and dropped some into a glass before adding the spirit and mixer.
‘Try that.’ He held out the glass and Kate took it, trying not to notice as his fingers brushed hers.
Taking a sip, she relished the cold liquid trickling down her throat, then nodded. ‘Delicious.’
Dev poured himself a vodka and tonic and came to sit on the opposite sofa.
‘So tell me, how did you find Theo? I looked high and low.’ He ran a hand through his layered fringe, which flopped onto his forehead endearingly.
Endearingly? Really?
Kate cleared her throat. ‘I was doing my usual walk to the lighthouse and back. He was just sitting there. I think he thought you could go inside.’
‘Bloody hell. He’s going to drive me to an early grave. I didn’t even know he’d left the house until I went to the snug to tell him tea was ready. Stella – she’s the daily who helps out here and does some of the cooking – didn’t see him leave, either.’
‘Is he unhappy? Not with you,’ Kate added hastily. ‘It’s just I had a feeling – from glimpsing what was in his backpack – that he was… running away?’
Dev stalled, his glass suspended. Then, he lowered it slowly. ‘What things?’
Kate shrugged. ‘I only had a glimpse as he pulled Bungie out to show me, but I’m sure there were pyjamas and a toothbrush in there.’
‘Damnit,’ Dev muttered, taking a swig from his glass, then putting it aside. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, his blue-grey eyes fixed on Kate across the low table between them. ‘I’m worried sick about him. He was supposed to come here for the full fortnight, but when Leigh dropped him off yesterday, she told him she’d be picking him up again on Thursday. Theo said nothing, but I could tell he was upset. He shot upstairs and wouldn’t talk about it.’
Kate chewed her lip. ‘He could be sad about the shorter stay, that’s all.’
Dev shook his head. ‘I think it’s more than that. He keeps asking me why he can’t live here. Leigh—’ He stopped, running a hand through his hair again. ‘She’s often away, sometimes for weeks on end. Theo ends up being left with a succession of nannies – no one seems to work for Leigh for long.’
‘Could he…’ She hesitated. It really wasn’t her business, and this was the first time they’d had a relatively friendly exchange.
‘Go on.’
Dev’s dark gaze held hers across the table, and Kate drew in a short breath.
‘Could he not come and live with you permanently?’
His eyes flashed as he sank back in his seat. ‘Do you think that’s not occurred to me?’
Yes, of course it has. I’m not bloody stupid!
Kate drew in a short breath. ‘That’s why I’m asking. It’s clear it’s been decided he doesn’t, but could he? Is there some way, now you can see how this is affecting him?’
Dev’s expression closed in, reverting to the one she was sadly more familiar with.
‘We’re still finalising… things. It’s holding up the Final Order. If Leigh would only make a decision on whether… never mind.’ He drained his glass and sensing the conversation, such as it was, was over, Kate did likewise and got to her feet.
Probably better to leave before she was asked to.
She would have liked to say good night to Theo, but Dev led her back to the front door, and she shrugged into her coat and stepped outside, but as she passed him, a hand landed on her arm.
‘Thank you for bringing Theo home.’
‘No problem.’ She waved an airy hand and set off down the steps. ‘Say bye to him for me.’
With that, she strode out of the gates, not looking back, but very aware the door had not yet been closed.