Page 32 of The Loneliest Number (The Thirst Trap #3)

Chapter twenty-eight

Cam

I t’s early evening by the time I pull up into my parents' driveway.

“Abby.” I rest my hand on her shoulder to give her a gentle shake. She’s been asleep for the last hour or so of the drive. Her head rests against the window, and her eyes gradually peel open to blink up at me. “Hey, we’ve arrived.”

She looks around in confusion. “I didn’t mean to sleep. Why didn’t you wake me?”

I shrug. “We had an early start at the airport, and I know you were working late last night. Plus, you don’t snore, so I let you away with it.” I tap her nose with amusement.

“I remember the castle and nothing after that.”

“Yeah, you’ve missed the Skye scenery, but that’s okay—you must have needed the rest. I won’t take it personally.

” I glance over as light filters out from the front door opening.

“Heads up. My family has seen us arrive. Prepare yourself for an invasion.” The dogs bark as they fly out of the open door to greet us.

“Take a moment. I’ll get out and say hello,” I tell her before hopping out from behind the wheel.

I close my door, giving her some quiet in the vehicle before the upcoming madness.

The two border collies, Pip and Squeak, take a flying leap for me, making me laugh. It’s been a while since they saw me, and their excitement is palpable.

“Hey, love,” my mum says as she steps closer. Her gaze flicks to the vehicle to where Abby still sits inside.

“Mum, hey.” I draw her into a hug, feeling her hands come around my middle and squeezing me tight. “Abby was sleeping, so I’m just giving her a moment to wake up.”

“Of course, love.” Mum pats my cheek with her palm as the dogs go crazy, leaping around us in circles.

“Give us a minute and I’ll bring her in for introductions,” I tell Mum and make my way around the bonnet of the car towards Abby’s door once she’s headed back inside, calling the unruly dogs along behind her.

I smile through the window at Abby, who’s finger combing her lilac hair using the small mirror on the sun visor. “You look gorgeous,” I tell her as I open the door to help her out.

“I can’t believe I fell asleep. I’m lousy company. Sorry.”

“There’s no need to apologise. It’s good to see you rest.” She offers me a tentative smile as she steps down from the car. “Ready for introductions?”

She draws in a deep breath as she straightens her shoulders. “Ready as I’ll ever be.”

“I promise they’re not that scary. The dogs may try to leap all over you though. Are you okay with dogs?” I can’t hold back my worried tone, internally cursing myself that I didn’t check before now, as I grab our bags from the back seat.

“I love dogs.” She smiles as she precedes me to the door and then takes a sidestep so I enter first. Mum’s hovering just inside the hallway, fussing with some knick-knacks on a sideboard there. She turns to face us, her gaze taking in Abby from head to toe.

“Hi, I’m Becky. You must be Abby, Cam’s… friend.” Her tone is tinged with curiosity, and my eyes narrow as she hugs Abby.

“Hi, yes, that’s right. Pleased to meet you, Becky,” Abby says, before crouching to say hello to the dogs.

“Cam, leave the bags just here by the door. Your father’s cooking. Dinner’s not far away, if that works for you both?”

“Sounds grand, thanks, Mum.”

Abby stands up, raising her nose in the air to sniff. “Smells delicious, whatever it is.”

“Come and meet Gordon, Cam’s father.”

We all trail down the hallway and into the large kitchen at the back of the house.

“Gordon, Cam and Abby are here,” Mum tells him as we enter.

He looks over, the steam from whatever he’s cooking having steamed up his glasses. He grins as he removes them and uses his shirt to wipe away the condensation. I’m pleased to notice how well both my parents are looking.

“Hey, lass,” Dad smiles at Abby as he steps over to shake her hand. The pair of us tower over her short stature, and her expression is stunned as she peers up at Dad.

“Hi.” Her voice comes out in a squeak. Very un-Abby-like. “Pleased to meet you, sir.”

“Sir?” Mum giggles next to Dad. “Please don’t give him ideas.” She slaps Dad on the chest with mirth.

“I think it’s a fitting title. Thank you for bestowing it on me.” He gives Abby a wink before clapping my shoulder in greeting. “Hey, son.”

“Hey, Dad. What’s cooking?” I ask, sensing that Abby might be feeling overwhelmed and trying to move things along.

“We’ve got lamb with sweet potato, and I’m just steaming some green beans and carrots. Shan’t be long. Do you guys need to freshen up?”

I turn towards Abby with a raised brow.

“I wouldn’t mind using the bathroom.”

“Come on, I’ll show you.” As I steer her out of the room, Mum approaches my dad to whisper something in his ear, but I can’t catch what she’s saying. I lead the way to the powder room downstairs, switching the light on. “Okay?”

“Yeah, sorry. I think the nap confuddled me. I just want to splash some water on my face.”

“Want me to wait for you?” I ask. She shakes her head.

“I’ll be fine. I’ll head back to the kitchen when I’m done.”

“Okay.” She closes and locks the door, and I pause for a moment, drawing in a deep breath. I wasn’t expecting to feel such simple joy having her here in the family home. It’s strange.

“That was delicious, Gordon. Thank you.” Abby tells my father as she places her cutlery down on her plate.

“Glad you enjoyed it,” Dad tells her with a grin. I stand up to gather the plates ready for clean-up duty.

“I can help,” Abby offers, following me over to the sink with a stack of dishes. She fidgets with the hem of her top once her hands are freed up.

“You don’t have to. It won’t take long,” I tell her, trying to work out how I can put her at ease.

“Abby, would you like another glass of wine?” Mum asks. “While Cam clears up. You don’t need to help, honey, you’re a guest.”

“Okay,” Abby says, her eyes meeting mine. There’s something flashing in her gaze. Panic maybe? I send a soothing smile her way, and she turns back to Mum.

“Come through to the lounge. We can get a comfy seat,” Mum tells her. The women head through, leaving me in the kitchen, loading the dishwasher and cleaning the pans by hand. Dad hangs around, leaning back against the counter, watching me tidy.

“All going well with The Juniper?” he asks. “And all okay with the budget? Let me know if you need a second pair of eyes over anything.”

“I’m keeping a close eye, but thanks. I’ll let you know if I need some help.” My parents had been supportive when my previous project failed, and it’s their unwavering encouragement that convinced me I could give things a go with The Juniper.

“You’re not working too hard, are you, Cam? I know you’re eager to succeed and make us proud, but you need to be taking care of yourself, son.” His hand clasps my shoulder, concern flaring in his gaze.

“Some days it’s too easy to just keep working, but I’ve got a good team around me and I’m trying to have a life outside of the work.” I appreciate his concern.

“We worry about you down there with no-one keeping tabs on you.”

“I know you do. You’re always welcome to visit,” I suggest.

“I’d love to come down and see it. Thought I could bring your mother down for her birthday next month. We can see you, see the building, and go to a show.”

“She’ll love that. And I’d love you both to see the building.”

“Abby’s nice,” Dad says with enthusiasm. “Just a friend, your mother tells me.” I glance over at him, trying to get a read on him. He folds his arms across his chest and stares me down.

“We’re friends. That’s all she wants at the moment.” That’s as much as I’m comfortable discussing with my family.

“But you want more?” he prods. I was expecting this from my mum at some point during this visit. Coming from my dad, it’s a surprise.

“Did Mum put you up to this?” I ask, washing the last pan and emptying the sink before drying my hands.

He chuckles. “She has your best interests at heart.”

“So she did, then.” I lean on the opposite counter to him, folding my arms to mirror his position.

“I’m guessing you don’t want to talk about your love life with either of us. I said I’d talk to you and check you were okay. Is it fair to say you are okay and I don’t need to intrude any further?”

“I’m perfectly fine. Thanks for stepping up, so I didn’t have to answer thousands of questions from Mum.”

“You’re welcome, but she’s had Abby to herself for at least ten minutes now. You might want to think about going to rescue your friend. ”

“Fuck,” I exclaim before heading through to the lounge.

“So yeah, it’s just my mum, but I’ve always found myself being more of an adult in that relationship than her.

” Abby’s spilling her guts to my mum as I stroll in.

Surprise skitters through me; my mum has a tendency to get people talking, but I’d been certain Abby would be a tough nut to crack.

As much as I want to hold back to hear more, it only seems right that I offer her a rescue.

“I’m sorry to hear that. Ah, here are the boys.

” Mum says as she tracks my and Dad’s entrance from her seat in her usual armchair.

I catch Abby’s eye, silently checking in with a quirked brow.

She doesn’t look harried or like she’s being interrogated, and yet my mum appears to have her spouting her family history within ten bloody minutes.

Abby pats the chair beside her, and I take the offer before she changes her mind, settling in close at her side.

Mum clocks our proximity with a sparkle in her eye.

“Has Mum been dragging your life story out of you?” I ask Abby.

“No,” Abby chuckles. “Although I do seem to have been spilling all my family secrets. Becky, are you some kind of expert in questioning people? I don’t know how you did it.”