Page 202 of In at the Deep End

The words landed because they were too close to the truth.

Babs reached into her pocket. “Which is why we’re moving on to the practical solution.”

Owen blinked as she handed him her phone. He frowned at the screen.

“This looks like a timetable.”

“It is. The 9:22 train tomorrow morning from Winchester gets you to Edinburgh at 4:20.”

He stared at her. “Babs⁠—”

“You’ll need to change twice.”

He rolled his eyes. “I know how trains work.”

“Good. Then we’re making progress.”

Owen laughed.

Cyn shook her head. “Can I just say, the fact that we’re having to organise transport for a grown man because he’s too frightened to tell someone he loves him? I find this deeply embarrassing.”

Owen stared at the phone. “I can’t just turn up.”

“Why not?”

“Because he might not want to see me.”

Babs’s expression softened a little. “Then you’ll know.”

Owen glanced at her. “That’s supposed to make me feel better?”

“No.” A small smile touched her mouth. “It’s supposed to make you understand that knowing the truth is better than spending the rest of your life imagining it.”

Owen stared at the timetable again.

Cyn touched his arm. “You don’t need to promise him forever tomorrow. You don’t need to know what forever looks like.” He met her gaze. “You just need to stop making decisions for him.”

His chest tightened. “And if the truth isn’t enough?”

Cyn squeezed his arm. “Then at least it will finally be his choice.” She straightened. “So get out there, mingle, make sure your guests have everything they need. Don’t think about clearing up when the party’s over. Callum, Babs, and I will take care of that in the morning.” Her eyes sparkled. “After you’ve left for the station.” She leaned in and kissed his cheek. “Go get your man.”

Owen hugged her. “Thank you, both of you.”

Conversation over, decision made.

Tomorrow afternoon, he would be standing in front of Matt.

I’m going to tell him the truth.

Chapter Thirty-Seven

“You don’t have to go home tomorrow, you know.” Eric placed a mug of coffee in front of him, then curled up on the opposite couch next to Garth. “Stay a few days.”

“Eric will be working, but I can show you around.” Garth smiled. “He said you might want to check out the castle.”

Matt leaned back against the seat cushions. “You’ve both been really kind, but I need to go home. I can’t put keep putting it off. I’ll go into uni in the morning, then catch the next train home.”

Eric narrowed his gaze. “It’s the couch, isn’t it?”