Page 111 of The Summer Escape

After a few tentative sips, thirst took over and she gulped a few more mouthfuls. “How’s Ellie doing?”

“Way better than you. She ate some toast.” He stroked the back of her hand as he smiled at her. “She was very annoyed that I wouldn’t let her have jam on it. Then we did some colouring and played hide and seek. Oh, and she did my nails.” He held up a hand to show off the pale pink polish.

“Cute,” she said and lay back down.

“I think we’re going to watch a film next. Do you want to join us?”

“I’ll come in a minute.”

“You don’t need to. Go back to sleep if you want. I’ll take care of Ellie.”

“Thank you,” she said, feeling utterly pathetic. “I can’t face getting the train back today. Do you mind if we stay over again tonight?”

“I assumed you would. I can pick up my car tomorrow morning and drive you home.”

“Really?” She relaxed further into the mattress at the thought of not having to get the train.

“Yes.” He squeezed her hand. “Now rest. Give me a shout if you need anything.”

As she watched him walk away, she was very glad they’d made the trip to London. As horrible as it had been to deal with Ellie getting sick on the train, she was very grateful that she wasn’t at home alone and having to look after Ellie while she was ill too.

* * *

Trystan muted the TV when Ellie fell asleep halfway through the film. She was curled up under a blanket, her face the picture of serenity. His eyelids felt heavy too. He’d spent the previous night stirring at every sound in case Beth or Ellie needed him in the night. A nap would’ve been good, but his phone buzzed on the table just as he was nodding off and he snatched at it so it wouldn’t wake Ellie.

“Hi.” He spoke quietly into the phone, relaxing when Ellie showed no signs of waking.

“You’ve been ignoring messages,” Kit said. “What happened with Jenny yesterday? Is she pregnant with your baby or what? The suspense is killing us.”

Trystan squeezed his eyes shut, then gave a slow shake of his head. “No, she’s not. Did you think she might be?”

“Noah and I were guessing why she wanted to talk to you.”

“She’s not pregnant,” Trystan said, rolling his eyes and sinking back into the couch cushions. “She’s engaged to a guy who she works with.”

“Wow. That was quick work.”

“She seems happy. It was good to catch up with her.”

“I’ll message her later and congratulate her.”

“Are you still in touch with her?” It wasn’t much of a surprise. When he thought about it, it was obvious Kit would still be in touch with Jenny.

“It’s hardly my fault you pick cool girlfriends. And you realise I was twelve when Jenny came on the scene. I’m closer to her than some of my brothers – I won’t name names!”

“I don’t have a problem with you keeping in touch with Jenny,” Trystan told him lightly.

“Mum’s still in touch with her too.”

“I thought she probably was.” He glanced over at Ellie’s sleeping form. “Anyway, Beth and Ellie are here.”

“At your place?”

“Yes. They came to surprise me yesterday but Ellie has a stomach bug and started vomiting on the train. Then Beth started with it shortly after they got here.” He smiled as he thought back over the past twenty-four hours. “So they turned up covered in puke and I’ve spent the whole time cleaning and washing and looking after them …”

“You sound pretty cheerful about that.”

“That’s not all … This morning Ellie spilled coffee all over my work laptop.” He’d decided not to mention that to Beth yet.