Chapter 34 #2
‘Listening to your statement was difficult and painful, but necessary. And he needed to hear it.’ Ran a hand through greying hair.
‘Despite appearances, my brother’s not a bad person.
You were right. He wasn’t well, and there are extenuating circumstances.
’ His voice was full of remorse, but he didn’t elaborate.
‘Your rejection tipped him over the edge, and he was jealous and hurt. It was a moment of madness. I know my brother, and we’ve talked about this a great deal over recent months.
You don’t have to be scared, he won’t look for you when he’s out.
I promise. He’ll serve his time, however long it may be, and try to move on with his life.
I know you don’t have any reason to trust me, but I’ve no reason to lie.
’ His expression carried a wealth of sadness, shame and regret.
‘I wish you all the best. Thank you for giving me a few moments of your time.’ Nodding in farewell, he turned and slipped back inside the courtroom.
Realising I believed him, my eyes widened. Turned to Ethan and Albie, spoke in a sob. ‘I’m free? It’s over?’
‘I think so,’ Ethan replied, relief lighting his blue gaze.
Albie, who I’ve come to regard as an honorary grandparent, threaded his arm through mine, tugging me from chair and leading us toward exit. ‘Me, too. Now let’s go home.’
‘Sounds perfect.’
After we’d left, and saw missed calls on my phone, realised hadn’t even thought to check in with my solicitor, because I was so ready to leave it all behind.
Peering out of the front windscreen of Ethan’s new Audi estate (had listened to a suggestion I’d made, treating himself to a better car with his pay rise) I sighed as we departed the city centre. Albie asleep in back seat, gently snoring.
‘You okay?’ Ethan gave me a sideways glance before focusing on the traffic.
‘Just thinking how familiar this all used to be, but how strange it looks now. Otherwise, I think so, yeah. Relieved, overwhelmed and emotional, but like a dark cloud’s lifted. It’s weird.’
‘Bound to be.’ He flicked an indicator on and checked his mirrors, taking a left.
‘Thanks so much for today. In the end, I wasn’t in any fit state to drive. I appreciate it, especially at such short notice.’ Paused, before blurting, ‘How did you get the time off work?’
‘Still had some flexitime owing and told my manager someone important had an emergency.’
Frowned, feeling weird again but for a different reason. ‘They must’ve assumed you meant a girlfriend.’ Hoped my tanned skin was hiding my blush.
He lowered his voice. ‘That’d be wishful thinking.
’ Picking up my hand from my knee, he kissed the back of it with reverence, making my heart ache.
‘I care for you, Tori, and I’m here. If all you can give me is friendship, that’s okay.
But if you ever want something more, well, I’m a steadfast kind of guy.
’ He paused. ‘Also, why did you ask me for help, rather than Kirsten? The obvious choice, no?’
‘Yeah.’ Studying Ethan’s open face and blond hair falling over his brow, I considered everything I’d learnt about him over the past months.
Reliable, honest, cheerful, kind, hardworking, forgiving, and although a quick temper at times, not afraid to admit his mistakes.
Chose him by gut-instinct in my hour of need, and he’d come through.
Deciding to be brave for a second time, I admitted, ‘It was you I thought of when I needed support. But Ethan, I’m not sure I believe in happy endings anymore. I still don’t trust my judgement.’
Pulling up at red traffic light, he shook his head.
‘It was nothing to do with your judgement, Tori. You knew from your dates it wasn’t right and stepped away.
You were polite and respectful. The rest was all him.
You heard his brother. I’m not excusing what he did, but there were obviously some deep-seated reasons.
You can trust yourself to judge people again.
You can believe in happiness. We’ve learnt from Theo’s and Albie’s losses that life is short and should be cherished.
’ Tucking a strand of hair behind my ear, he urged, ‘Give me a chance? Let us both choose a happy ending?’
Listening to his impassioned words, I reflected on everything I’d lived through, and what I wanted for myself. After a long moment, I drew his hand onto my knee and linked our fingers together. ‘I’m not making a commitment, or any promises.’ My mouth curved. ‘But I can try.’
Ethan’s answering grin took my breath away as the cars behind us started honking, lights turned green. ‘That’s good enough for me.’
As we accelerated away, I asked, ‘Didn’t you once tell me having a girlfriend is a nightmare? Because of the situation with your parents?’
‘I know I snapped at the time, but you were right.’ He frowned.
‘I spoke to my brother, and my parents. Gave them all some tough love and set some boundaries. It wasn’t easy, there were a lot of recriminations and it’s only the start of the journey, but I think we’re finally on the right path.
’ Then his face cleared. ‘Wait. Are you calling me your boyfriend?’
Giggled. ‘That makes us sound about twelve! Not yet, but maybe one day?’ Caught sight of Albie smiling to himself in the rear-view mirror. ‘I know you’re awake, old man. Try to stay that way.’
Sliding my mobile from my bag I dialled one of my favourite numbers.
‘Hey. I’m in Birmingham. No, I know I didn’t tell you…
Uh-huh. Well, there’s a reason… Mum. Stop.
Mum, listen! I have good news. Everything with Ricardo is over.
’ Pausing, I fought back tears, swallowing down the huge lump in my throat.
‘Are you at home? Where’s Dad? There are some people I’d love you both to meet. ’
Would introduce my blood family to two members of my found one, and then start the journey home to the magical manor on the top of a hill in the rolling English countryside.