Page 100 of Glow

“We are doing very well,” his uncle replied, visibly relaxing now they were on more solid ground. “Have you seen Nanny?”

Prin nodded.

“Did she persuade you to visit? I bumped into her a few weeks back.”

“She said that she was worried for your health.”

Again that flicker of amusement appeared on Decha’s face for a second.

“She always was one for fretting,” he replied. “There is nothing to concern yourself with. My doctor has finally persuaded me to live a little healthier. That is all.”

“And how are you finding it?” Prin asked.

“It is terrible.”

Both Prin and Scott laughed.

“Will you stay for dinner?” Uncle Decha asked.

“That would be lovely, Uncle.”

Prin thought he was going to cry. He had come expecting another argument. Whilst his uncle wasn’t exactly putting up the bunting, it appeared that time had thawed the coldness between them.

He rose, as did Scott and Prin.

“Come,” he said. “Let us take a walk in the park before then. The afternoon is cooling.”

Once again, Scott wiped his brow. “If you say so,” he replied.

Uncle Decha’s house overlooked Lumpini Park. As a child, Prin had regarded it as his own personal garden to play in whenever he wanted. His uncle had never accompanied him. Until now.

They walked down the marble hallway to the door.

“Are you struggling with our heat, Scott?” Decha asked.

“A little.”

Decha turned to Prin. “You must take him to the villa. This young man needs the islands.”

“Are you sure, Uncle?”

Decha held Prin’s gaze. “I am sure.”

TWENTY-SIX

SCOTT

Scott let the air blow on his face as Prin drove the Jeep Cherokee down the uneven mountain road. Lush vegetation crowded them on both sides. It couldn’t be more different from humid Bangkok.

“Uncle Decha was right,” Scott said. “I am far more of an island boy.”

Prin took his hand and kissed the back of it.

They’d spent a glorious week in the Lum villa deep inside this forest. Except for the maid’s daily visit, they had the place to themselves. And what a place. Six bedrooms all overlooking the central pool area that led down to a private beach. Scott had never seen a house like it in real life.

“You’ve hardly seen any of the island,” Prin said.

“Whose fault is that?”