Page 93

‘That it’s genetic? Yeah.’

‘Nanna lived until her seventies. Grandad went in a car crash in his fifties, so we assume it came from him. His dad was in the navy and didn’t come back from the war.’

‘I’m so sorry.’

‘Thanks.’

‘Anyway, things got really bad last year and Ma stopped being able to cope – so I moved back in with her.’

‘For all that I’m sorry your mum ever got ill, can I be selfish and say I’m glad I got to meet you. I know it’s not much of a silver lining…’

‘That’s sweet.’ He tugged her close enough to drop a kiss against her hair.

‘You can say it, you know,’ she told him gently. ‘I won’t be offended.’

‘Sure?’

‘Yeah. And you know I probably can’t lie right now.’

‘As much as I love working with Ophelia, Rayenne and Cheryl, and spending time with you… I wish she wasn’t ill. I wish we didn’t have this shitty gene in our family. I’d go back to working spreadsheets and balancing books bored out of my brains tomorrow if it would take it away. It’s agony, Mia. Seeing her slowly disappearing under the weight of this thing… and wondering if it’s coming for me too. It’s fucking agony.’

He pulled away from her and doubled over, his shoulders heaving as he tried to shove down the emotions he’d been bottling up for so long.

Mia dropped to the floor and crouched in front of him. ‘Aiden, you don’t need to hide from me. It’s OK to let go.’ She used her free hand to push his hair back, pulling it around the back of his neck so she could see him better. ‘Please, Aiden, I’m right here. Let me be here for you.’

He didn’t remember when she wrapped her arms around him, or when the dam broke, releasing the anger, fear and bone-deep sorrow he’d been carrying for so long. He didn’t know how long it lasted, only that she stayed… holding him tightly… letting him be, until his tears ran dry.

She pressed a steaming cup into his hands. ‘Drink.’

He took a sip and looked at her in surprise. ‘Linden blossom?’

‘You’d know.’ Mia shrugged. ‘I just liked the smell. Did I pick well?’

‘Yes. It softens tension – emotional and physical.’

‘A lucky guess then.’ She nudged his knee with hers. ‘Or maybe you’re rubbing off on me.’

‘Can we go back, do you think?’

‘Back?’

‘To being friends.’

‘Of course we can. Unless…’

‘Unless what?’

‘Unless you wanted to ask me out on a date.’

‘Mia, I don’t think that would be a good idea…’

‘I know what you’re going to say,’ she interrupted. ‘But before you start reminding me of all the reasons we can’t or shouldn’t consider more, there’s a couple of things I think you should know.’

‘OK.’ He smiled.

‘Silly squabbles aside, I have more fun with you than anyone I’ve ever been with. And I do trust you, and know you’d never hurt me, and I like who I am when I’m around you: you bring out something in me that I just don’t experience with other people. You make me feel safe to relax and just be me. Just thinking of you usually makes me smile. And Friday nights… wow.’

‘Yeah.’ He chuckled. ‘They were amazing. And I like being around you too. You honestly might be one of the best people I’ve ever met.’