One Year Later by Sanjida Kay

Author:Sanjida Kay
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Atlantic Books

15 AUGUST, ITALY

27

NICK

Matt is hovering in the kitchen when I get up and he greets me like a long-lost friend. It’s not like I’m up really late or anything, but I was woken shortly after I’d gone to bed by Bethany and Joe having an argument outside. Bethany isn’t good at selfcensorship, so she was pretty loud. I couldn’t hear Joe’s replies clearly. I put earplugs in, but I still couldn’t get back to sleep. It’s good in one way, though, because it probably means it must have been Bethany, and not Chloe, I overheard having sex with Joe earlier in the week. If my sister has started sleeping with him and now he’s heading home – maybe back to his girlfriend – that would make her annoyed. You don’t yell like that at a personal trainer you’re paying by the hour. But I definitely should have taken Bethany up on her offer of sleeping pills. At least Dad’s stopped wandering around at night since she’s been giving them to him.

‘Mate,’ says Matt, pouring me a coffee, ‘can I ask you a favour?’

‘Um, yeah,’ I say, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. I have a queasy feeling as I remember what day it is. I should tell him about those photos on Chloe’s iPad. He’ll go ballistic, though. Maybe I ought to have a word with her first…

‘Joe’s left – he’s on his way back to Bristol.’ Matt interrupts my train of thought. ‘Bethany isn’t up, not that she’s speaking to me any more. Luca isn’t here – no idea where he is.’

‘Probably out for a run.’

I notice he hasn’t mentioned my father, but that isn’t surprising. I don’t think Matt will ever let Dad look after his children again. Dad is sitting outside, reading under the shade of a parasol. He looks lonely, but to be honest, I’m struggling a bit, not wanting to think about how frightening it must be for him, now that he’s aware he’s losing his memory, and at the same time my old anger is resurfacing, ever since Amy told me how he drove Mum away.

‘I really need some time with Amy before… you know, before…’ Matt runs his hand through his hair and it stands on end like a bristle-brush. He looks thoroughly miserable. ‘I lost it yesterday. Said some things… Anyhow, I thought we could go into town for a coffee, just the two of us.’

‘Good idea,’ I say, pulling some bacon out of the fridge and then, as my stomach clenches, I change my mind and grab the jam instead.

‘So you’re okay looking after the kids?’

Ah! Nick Flowers, you can be so bloody dense.

‘The bread’s finished. Chloe’s gone up to the farmhouse to buy more. She’ll be back soon.’

‘Right.’ I take a sip of coffee. I wonder why she didn’t go with Dad this morning. I must remember to nab her when she gets back, for a chat about the photos on her iPad.

‘Yeah, if you could keep an eye on her, but basically she’ll look after herself.

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