Page 40 of Escape to the Country

Tom bowed his head and stared down at the crooked paving slabs beneath his feet. ‘It was the mention of cancer,’ he said. ‘It just brought it all back.’

‘I’m not sure the grief ever leaves us,’ said Sam, staring out across the garden. ‘It just hurts a little less with each passing year.’

‘I keep trying to hide mine,’ said Tom. ‘And look where that’s got me.’

All alone, he added to himself.

Sam shook his head. ‘I think Will’s definitely still running from his, if it makes you feel better. Even after all these years. There’s no manual for this kind of thing.’

‘It doesn’t, but thanks.’ Tom took a deep breath. ‘There’s something else. Something I have to tell you.’

Sam frowned. ‘Okay. Go on.’

Tom forced himself to speak. ‘I’ve got writers’ block and it’s bad, I’m afraid. I haven’t even started on the new album yet. I can’t think up a single lyric at the moment.’

To his amazement, Sam sagged back on the bench in what appeared to be relief. ‘Is that all?’

Tom was shocked by the lack of reaction. ‘What do you mean?’

Sam laughed. ‘I thought you were going to tell me that Aunt Rose had made a pass at you or something.’ He looked at his friend. ‘For the record, I had realised about the album. That’s why I thought you might like coming out here to stay with us. Obviously I was wrong.’

‘No, you weren’t,’ said Tom, surprising both of them with his words.

It was time to admit to himself that he had been enjoyed the majority of his stay at Willow Tree Hall. That despite the minor irritations he had begun to find a certain amount of peace there. ‘I’d like to stay for a while longer actually, if that’s okay with everyone. It is helping, the quiet here.’

‘Good. That’s what I thought,’ said Sam, before standing up. ‘I’ll talk to the family.’

But Tom shook his head. ‘Nope. I’m old enough to apologise for myself.’

He found Rose and Arthur in the drawing room.

‘I’m sorry for my rudeness just now,’ he said, standing in front of them both.

‘Dear boy, there’s really no need to apologise,’ said Arthur, waving away any concern with his hand. ‘We would hate to see you leave, of course, but nobody from this family will judge you if you do. You’ll always be welcome back here.’

‘Thank you,’ said Tom. ‘And I was very much hoping it would be okay for me to stay on a while longer. If you’ll have me.’

‘Darling, of course we will!’ said Rose, leaping up to give him a hug. ‘And never apologise for having passion running through those veins.’ She leaned forward to whisper, ‘It makes the sex much more exciting!’

As he gave her a smile to mask his blushes, he saw Arthur roll his eyes and realised that Rose hadn’t whispered quietly enough. Or perhaps that was deliberate.

Next, he went to find Annie, who was washing up in the kitchen.

‘I’m sorry for my outburst,’ he told her. ‘I shouldn’t have been so rude.’

‘Thank you,’ she replied with a soft smile. ‘But there’s really no need for an apology.’ Then she hesitated before carrying on. ‘You know, if any family can help you with whatever it is that you’re struggling with, then this is the one. They’re a warm, loving bunch, who open their hearts and home up to anyone they think needs it. Including me.’

Tom wondered what had happened to Annie to cause her such pain.

‘I had no one when I came here,’ she carried on softly. ‘Apart from Megan and Eleanor, of course, but even Eleanor was in London. I’ll bore you with my story another time, but trust them, these are good people.’

He nodded. ‘I will. And I’m hoping to stay on for a while longer, if that’s okay with you.’

Annie broke into a smile. ‘That’s great. And Sam will be really pleased as well. You’re a good friend to him.’

Tom went up to his room, thinking how easily they’d forgiven him. And wondering what on earth he could do for the family to repay their kindness.