Page 46

“Thank you for getting back to me so promptly. Have you come to a decision?”
“We have, and yes, we’re willing to help.” A whoosh of breath escapes me as I listen to his instructions.
Roddy was right. At six o’clock, there’s a knock on the door. Jethro gives my hand a squeeze and opens it. In front of us is a scared-looking kid, looking two kind words away from breaking down.
Roddy steps forward. “Hey, it’s Connor, right? I’m Roddy. These”—he jerks his thumb over his shoulder—“are my dads. They’re cool.”
The lad lifts his head, surprise flickering in his eyes. “Dads?”
The man with him places a hand on Connor’s shoulder, and he flinches but doesn’t move away. “Shall we go inside?”
We let them in. Roddy falls in step with the boy, and I don’t think I’ve ever loved him more.
The social worker seems to be in a hurry to leave. After giving us a quick rundown of Connor’s background, he gives Connor a brief smile and leaves.
“Are you hungry, Connor?” I ask, going to my default of trying to feed everyone.
“Conn,” he says softly. “I don’t like Connor.”
“No problem. Why don’t you come into the kitchen? And I can find you something to eat. What do you like?”
“Anything. I don’t mind.” His voice is so quiet. “But I like burgers.”
“Perfect. I’ll make some. Roddy will have some too. He’s got hollow legs or something. Maybe because he was so thin when he came to us.”
“Was he like me?”
“You should ask him about his story. It’s not mine to tell. You’re safe here, though. In case you were wondering.”
Jethro walks in and smiles at Conn. “Would you like to see your room?” We sold both our houses and bought a bigger one. I wanted a fully equipped chef’s kitchen, and we wanted more and bigger bedrooms. Less need for noise-cancelling headphones, Jethro said, poking fun at Roddy.
“Does it have a lock?” he asks as they walk away.
I hate the thought of why he needs that. I make the burgers and wait for them to come back.
Conn’s eyes go wide again when he sees the meal I’ve made. “Whoa, that’s amazing. Do you make them, like not from the freezer?”
“Dad’s a chef, and I’m at college learning the same. You’ll never go hungry here.” Roddy sits down at the table.
“Why do I have to go to school? I hate it. I always get bullied,” Conn grumbles as we look at the school uniform site. This is a new school for him, and as much as he’s settled in with us, he’s still nervous around strangers and hates any kind of raised voices or shouting or loud noises.
He’s been with us for two weeks now, and he’s doing okay. The first couple of nights, he had terrible nightmares, and we had to ask him not to lock the door. He had a mini tantrum over that, but he agreed in the end because he understood we only wanted to get to him if he needed us. He eats anything and everything we give him, but he hasn’t quite got used to the open larder and that he can grab what he wants.
“It will be fine. It’s not a huge school, and both Jethro and I went to it. Admittedly, a very long time ago, but Luke went to it too.”
Conn has attached himself to Roddy as much as he can and loves hanging out with him and Luke. “Fine, but I’m not wearing those trousers. I want the skinny-leg ones.”
A week later, the three of us walk into the secondary school. The same one Jamie worked in all those years ago. “Are you sure you want us to come in?” Jethro asks.
“Yes, please,” he says, looking a little pale.
The headmaster greets us. With him is a man I never wanted to see again. “This is Mr Hill. He’s head of your year and your tutor group. I think you’ll get along well in his class.”
Instead of saying hello to Conn, Jamie is staring at Jethro and me. He looks me up and down, then focuses on my wedding ring. A blush runs up his neck as he catches me staring back. Like a switch flicked, he turns to Conn. “It’s good to meet you, Connor.”
“It’s Conn,” Jethro and I say at the same time.
“We’ll see you this afternoon, Conn. Have you got everything, your phone and keys?”