Page 9 of The Life Experiment

Peter let out a sad chuckle. ‘Believe it or not, yes. We both grew up in this world, but we didn’t relish it.

Not like the others. Once, your mother would have laughed at today and called it a charade.

She would probably have stolen a bottle of brandy and hidden in the woods until her parents called a search party to find her. ’

Angus raised his eyebrows. ‘ My mother did that?’

‘Yes. You’re not the only one with a talent for going rogue after a few drinks, let me assure you.’

Angus studied Gilly, taking in her perfectly styled hair and the neat scarf tied around her neck. He searched for a sign of the person his father was describing, but all he could see was the same buttoned-up soul he’d always known.

When Angus looked back, Peter’s face was clouded with sadness. ‘This life can consume you, if you let it. Who has the latest car, who went where on holiday, who makes the most money. It’s a competition you’re signed up for at birth, and it’s exhausting.’

Suddenly, Angus’s own exhaustion seeped into his bones, making everything seem so heavy, so pointless.

‘After what happened to Hugo…’

As his father trailed off, Angus’s throat tightened. Hugo wasn’t mentioned within these walls. Ever. Sometimes, Angus liked it that way. It was easier to push away the hurt of losing someone you loved when you weren’t allowed to talk about it.

But even if his name wasn’t mentioned, Hugo was always there. He was the big-brother-shaped stick Angus measured himself against. His shadow covered everything Angus did, reminding Angus of everything he could never be.

‘I shoulder the blame for how things turned out,’ Peter said.

‘Things happened in our family that changed us forever, but it’s more than that.

When your mother and I married, I insisted we host the parties and dinners and grow our connections like my parents had.

I never realised the expectation I placed on Gilly, but this world is hard.

You either fit in or you’re cast out. How else was she meant to survive?

’ Suddenly, Peter turned to Angus. ‘Angus, you remind me so much of your mother, it’s scary.

I see the way you sit at these tables, wishing you were anywhere else. I see the way you don’t belong.’

Angus flinched, the casual delivery of his failure a knife to the chest, but Peter shook his head.

‘I mean that as a compliment, believe me. I’ve watched you today.

You’re here, but you’re not here . I know this life might not be what you want, but I also suspect you don’t know what you do want.

That’s just as dangerous. Things might not have worked out as you’d hoped in the past, but don’t let one bad investment keep you down.

Put it behind you and look to your future. ’

‘What future?’ Angus heard himself mutter.

‘That’s for you to decide, son, but you can’t tread water forever or one day you’ll wake up a lonely old man full of regrets. You have all options open to you. All the support a person could ask for, but what you’re doing now? Angus, it’s no life. You’re miserable, I can see it.’

Softening, Angus absorbed his father’s words. Peter Fairview-Whitley was always an engaging conversationalist, but he had never spoken to Angus like this before – so plainly, so openly, so full of love. For Angus, life simply wasn’t the same as it had been five minutes ago.

Angus opened his mouth to respond, but at that moment his phone rang.

‘Sorry,’ he said, fumbling in his pocket for the device. When he saw Saira’s name on the screen, Angus’s stomach flipped. ‘I need to take this.’

With a nod, Peter’s controlled persona slotted back into place. ‘Sure, son. I’ll see you outside.’

Angus watched his father walk away. The departure created an ache in his soul that he couldn’t put words to, but Angus’s phone ordered him to push those feelings aside and answer the call.

‘Angus,’ Saira said when he picked up. ‘I’m glad I caught you. I’m calling with what I hope is exciting news.’

‘Oh?’

Through the window, Angus saw his father return to Gilly’s side. He kissed her cheek. She leaned her head on his chest. Together, they stood tall, like two people who belonged in their world completely.

‘I’m pleased to say we’d like to invite you to participate in The Life Experiment.

Congratulations!’ Saira cheered. ‘If you’re still on board, we’ll set up a meeting to run through the aim and expectations of the study, then send the contract for you to read over.

As previously mentioned, you have seven days to think—’

‘I’ll do it,’ Angus interjected. ‘I want to do it. I want to be part of the experiment.’

‘Angus,’ Saira replied sternly, although he could hear the ghost of a smile in her voice. ‘While I appreciate your enthusiasm, you need to be sure that this is something you want to do. The work we’re doing could change your life.’

Dry-mouthed, Angus studied the scene outside once more. The glasses full to the brim, the tables stuffed with uneaten food. The abundance, the insincerity, the privilege – it was all he could see. It was everything he needed to change.

As Angus’s gaze settled on his father, something in his chest tugged. Whatever Peter was hoping for him to find, Angus was going to do it. The Life Experiment would be the catalyst. From there, Angus would bloom. Anything to make his father, and himself, proud.