Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 87538 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 438(@200wpm)___ 350(@250wpm)___ 292(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87538 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 438(@200wpm)___ 350(@250wpm)___ 292(@300wpm)
“You got anything to eat?” he asks.
I knew it.
“No,” I say.
“I’m going to make myself scrambled egg and avocado if you’d like some?” Eira says, sliding a coffee onto the counter behind him.
“Thank you, but I should go home. It’s my turn to cook tonight. I said I’d leave something for Sutton.”
“That’s a good idea,” I say. “Go home. To your pregnant wife.”
He acts like he hasn’t heard me, presses a kiss to Guinevere’s head, then whispers something into her ear. I don’t want to hear what it is. I’m pretty sure he’ll be complaining about me.
“Eira,” Jacob says in a forced bright tone.
“Don’t you dare,” I say. I know he’s going to ask her about coming to Norfolk and he absolutely must not.
“What?” he says, acting all innocent.
“Just respect my decision,” I reply.
“Dax, we really want Guinevere there. And you. She’s the newest member of the family and it would mean a lot to all of us. Especially Mum and Dad.”
I clench my jaw. I hate it when he’s winning an argument. “It’s not like I don’t want to be there. It’s just early days and—”
“Why don’t Sutton and I drive you up?”
“Because your car will be full to the brim.”
“Okay, well, Sutton can drive up on her own and I’ll come with you.”
I sigh. I do really want to be there, but I can’t let Sutton drive up there on her own when she’s over five months pregnant. It’s a long way, and I know she’s nervous after the miscarriage. There’s no way I’m putting her or Jacob in that position. I could call the agency to hire a short-term nanny for the weekend, but everyone would be more comfortable with Eira. Including Guinevere. Maybe I could just keep my distance. It would be easier to avoid her there, with lots of people around.
I sigh, breathing in the inevitable.
“Eira, my parents’ wedding anniversary is next weekend and we usually make a family affair of it all. If you have plans or would rather not, that’s completely understandable, but it would be really helpful if you could work the weekend and come up to Norfolk to help with Guinevere. To be honest, I’m not at the point where I feel confident bringing Guinevere to a new place by myself, settling her in a new room and…” I could list a thousand other things. “But I don’t want you to feel obligated.”
Eira seems to like to step in and save the day. To help people and look after people. She does it every damn day for me and it feels uncomfortable to ask her for more. “You already do so much for Guinevere.” And me, I don’t add.
“What days would it be?” she asks.
“Saturday,” Jacob interrupts before I can say anything. “Until Wednesday.”
“Sure,” she says, barely missing a beat. “I can do that.”
Jacob’s eyes light up. “If you go up by helicopter, you don’t even have to leave until mid-morning on Saturday.”
Eira snaps her head around. “I’m not going by helicopter.” Her voice is filled with such finality, it’s like a physical blow. I daren’t even ask why.
“We can travel by car,” I say. “I prefer driving anyway.”
“Where would we stay?” she asks, her tone back to normal, any talk of helicopters forgotten.
“You know they’ve rented a place for the weekend,” Jacob says.
“For me?” I ask.
“No, you narcissist. For all of us. Because of the building works. It means we can all be together.”
“Are there enough bedrooms?” I say, my eyes sliding to Eira.
“Eight. More than enough as long as the kids all sleep with the adults.”
“There’s room for you, Eira, or I could pay for a hotel if that would make you more comfortable.”
“I don’t mind,” she says. “You decide.”
“It’s easier if you stay,” Jacob says. “That way no one needs to worry about driving you somewhere. Everyone can relax.”
“Ignore him,” I say, turning to Eira. “If you want to stay in a hotel, I can drive you. You decide.”
“I’m fine with whatever. It’s only four nights. I’d prefer not to spend them under canvas, and no traveling by helicopter, but apart from that, I’m good with anything.” She blushes slightly and focuses on her coffee. If we were on our own, I might be tempted to ask her what’s got her embarrassed. So it’s a good job we’re not.
I know I’m asking too much of Eira, but Jacob’s right—Mum and Dad will want Guinevere in Norfolk next weekend. Eira being there is the only way it will happen.
“I really appreciate this. I’ll make sure you’re compensated.”
“And I’ll match whatever he’s paying you,” Jacob says.
I roll my eyes. Of course he has to have the last word. At least Guinevere will never have a brother she’ll have to put up with.
FOURTEEN
Eira
The flat is starting to feel smaller. It’s as if I can feel Dax everywhere, even when I’m tucked up in my room. He features in my dreams most nights, and I find myself thinking about him during the day. It can’t just be because he’s attractive and understatedly kind and focused and and and. We’re just living in such close quarters. I feel like I’m surrounded by him.