Page 114 of The Summer Escape

“I was expecting she’d ask questions at some point.”

“And you’d have known how to answer. I got completely flustered.”

“I’m not sure what you think you said wrong, but what Ellie understood was that families come in all shapes and sizes and not everyone has a dad … which is exactly what I’d have told her.”

“But …” He tapped a finger against his front tooth. “There’s a bit more to it than that.”

“Yes, but she’s five years old. That’s all she needs to know for now.”

“Okay. So I didn’t completely mess up?”

“I’d argue you did, but only because you could have had this conversation with me earlier and saved me a week of worrying.”

“You can’t honestly have thought I had a problem with Ellie?”

“I didn’t know what to think. You’re so good with her, but you already told me you split up with Jenny because she wanted to get married and have kids and you didn’t.”

“It was never that I was against marriage and kids. I just didn’t want that with Jenny.”

“Really?”

“Yes. That became very clear to me pretty soon after I met you and Ellie.”

Beth pushed her hair behind her ears. “Ellie’s also been talking about wanting a brother and I wondered if that had put you in panic mode too.”

“Not at all. Especially since she specifically wants Kit as her brother.”

“What?” Beth asked, shaking her head.

He nodded. “She thinks he’d be a great brother. But she might also have got it in her head that he’s her boyfriend, so you may want to have a chat with her about that.”

Smiling widely, Beth reached for his hand. “So you really don’t have any problem with the fact that I have a child?”

“No.” He looked at her as though she was being completely ridiculous. “I love Ellie.”

Beth stifled a laugh and schooled her features to a mock serious expression. “Really? You loveEllie?”

“Andyou!” He grinned, squeezing her hand as he sat up straighter. “I probably should have led with that. I love you.”

Her heart felt as though it expanded to twice its size. “I love you too.”

“Good.” His lips brushed lightly against hers. “That’s all that matters.”

She wished it was as easy as that but couldn’t put aside her niggling doubts. “I worry that one day all my baggage will be too much for you.”

“I really don’t see Ellie as baggage.”

She shook her head. “There’s also my dad.”

“What about him?”

Beth breathed deeply. “This summer showed me that I could never leave him. I’d never get over the guilt. Which means that I can’t leave Plymouth.”

“I’d never ask you to.”

“But that would mean that if things work out for us …”

“I’d move here,” he jumped in. “I’ve already thought about it. Of course, we need to see how long-distance works out, but there isn’t much keeping me in London any more. I could definitely see myself moving here.”