Page 32 of Darling

Christian, for his part, looks a little taken aback, but pats hisson on the back a few times. “I’m alright, son. I’m alright.”

I slide all the way back in my chair, wondering if I should slip out while they do this. But then the blond, Leo, is untangling himself from Christian and turning a very studied look on me.

He says, “You must be my ‘brother’ then?”

Eleven

Christian

Asher seems to shrink back in his chair, as uncertain as I’ve ever seen him. He glances at me for help, and then back at Leo.

“A misunderstanding at the desk,” I say easily. “I wonder, Asher, if you wouldn’t mind finding me an iced tea from somewhere? I have such a craving for it.”

He stands immediately, looking relieved to have a means of escape. “Yeah, sure. I can do that. Um, can I get you anything?” He directs this at Leo.

“I’m good,” my son responds, stonily.

Asher nods before slipping out of the room.

I turn to Leo. “Did you come straight from the airport?” He has a rucksack by his feet and looks like he hasn’t slept in days, eyes rimmed red with shadows beneath them.

“Um, yeah, there was a flight out last night, stopover in Iceland. I got in about an hour ago.”

“You didn’t have to come, Leo. I’m fine, truly.”

He narrows his eyes at this. “Oh, like Mum was fine?”

I feel that like a pin pushing into my heart. I’d told him not to leave school. Was sure she was going to be okay. Then, when it was clear she wasn’t, I’d delayed making the call to tell him I waswrong. He’d come home after she’d gone.

“Well, now you can see for yourself. I’m fine.”

“Well, no offence, Dad, but you don’t look fine. You look like shit,” he says. “Have they fed you?”

“Yes, some toast and cereal.”

“Shouldn’t you be in a secure hospital? One for VIPs or something.”

“I’m not a VIP here, Leo.”

“Well, don’t you have staff? Is that who he was?” He gestures in the direction of the door.

I can’t do this right now. Not here. I use a diplomatic technique and choose the part of the question I can give an honest answer to.

“I have an aide, Gael. He’ll be here shortly. You didn’t book a hotel, did you?”

“Well, no. Just the flight.”

“When Gael gets here, I’ll ask him to take you to the residence where you can get some rest. How long are you here for?”

“As long as you need me to be.” He sits forward on his knees and scrubs a hand over his face.

“Well, thank you for coming. I’m sorry I scared you.”

He lifts his head to look at me, grey eyes sparkling with emotion. “I’m just glad you’re okay.”

“How’s work?” I ask.

Some look flits over his face before he shakes his head and shrugs. “Fine.”