Chapter Forty-Eight
Chapter Forty-eight
Currently living in Lyla’s flat: Lyla, Eddie, Grace
Three days later and Eddie and Lyla and Grace are living in Lyla’s smart and spacious Edinburgh flat. The pale sofa was pristine, last time Eddie was here. Now it’s splattered in baby sick and God knows what else. And the flat smells kind of funny: of sour milk with an undertone of nappies and baby wipes. But neither of them care because this feels like home now, for their little family.
Eddie has gone out for provisions when he decides to detour along the bustling thoroughfare of Princes Street. He just wants to see a bit of life, to remind himself that a world exists outside of the flat. Briefly, a display of skateboards and skate wear catches his eye in a shop window. But that’s the last thing he’s going to spend his money on, because funds are critically low. When he bought his mum that replacement china cup at the new pottery place in Sandybanks, he baulked at the cost. But it was worth it to see her reaction.
‘Oh, Eddie, you needn’t have!’ she announced. But he could tell she was pleased, and although he has never confessed to the crime, it was his way of saying sorry, as well as thanks. Eddie reckoned his mum knew that too.
Now he walks on, figuring that he should get back to the flat soon. It doesn’t quite feel like home yet – not in the way that Kilmory Cottage always felt like home, even when he was desperate to leave the place. But he’s sure it will, once they’re properly settled.
Eddie is figuring out what he needs to pick up from the shops when he spots a tall, powerfully built figure with a swathe of dark hair striding towards him. It’s Marius from the restaurant. In shock and shame, Eddie swings around the corner and hurries up the street.
‘Eddie!’ comes the deep voice behind him. ‘Hey, Eddie!’
Pretending not to have heard, Eddie hurries on, then swerves into the nearest shop. It’s a perfume place, heady with scents that make his head swim. He freezes, afraid that any sudden movement will cause him to knock over one of these priceless bottles with what looks like real gold on their labels. In a terrible flashback, he remembers knocking over a full glass of wine in Suki’s club.
‘Can I help you?’ A smart young man has approached him.
‘No, no, I’m just looking …’ Eddie is sweating now, not knowing what to do next. The shop door opens and to his horror, Marius strides in. What is he going to do to him?
‘Young Eddie.’ Marius smirks, and glances around the shop with gleaming brown eyes. ‘Buying the girlfriend a present?’
‘Er, yeah. I just thought—’
‘Listen.’ Marius raises an arm, and for one bonkers moment Eddie thinks he’s going to slap him. But instead, a large, meaty hand rests heavily on his shoulder as he says, ‘Look, Eddie. I know things didn’t turn out too well but you had a lot on your mind back then. And I was probably a bit hasty …’
Eddie clears his sandpaper throat. ‘Were you?’
‘Yeah.’ Marius removes the hand and steps back and looks at him. ‘If you’re still interested, come over and see me tomorrow. We took on someone new but he’s been a bloody disaster. We need someone keen and hard-working who actually listens and wants to learn.’ He pauses. ‘D’you know what I’m saying?
Eddie nods mutely, sensing his cheeks glowing hot.
‘See you then, Eddie.’ Marius raises his bushy dark brows, then he saunters out of the shop.