Page 69 of The Summer Escape

“No. They have a policy of the paperwork being done in person.”

“When do they need it by?” Trystan asked.

She slumped against the sideboard. “They said preferably by the end of this week.”

“So soon?” his mum asked.

“Yes. I’ll get my laptop and look at flights.”

While she nipped upstairs, Trystan felt a vague sense of unease at the thought of them going back home. Surely it wouldn’t be for long though.

“There are Smarties in the biscuits,” Ellie told him, breaking his thoughts and holding one out to him. “Do you want to try?”

“Thank you.” He smiled and popped it in his mouth.

“I’m hoping we can manage the trip in one day,” Beth said, reappearing and sitting at the kitchen table with her laptop. “It’ll depend on the flight times. It’d be nice if we could leave on Friday morning and be back on Friday evening.”

Trystan breathed a sigh of relief that she wasn’t keen to be gone for long.

“Where are you going, Mummy?” Ellie asked.

“We’re going back home. Just for a quick trip on Friday.” Her brow furrowed as she scanned the website. “At least I hope so.”

“I can’t go on Friday,” Ellie said firmly. “I have the kids’ club and it’s a party on Friday.”

“Sorry,” Beth said, not paying Ellie much attention. “We have to go and see Grandad.”

“I don’t like going to see Grandad. He forgets my name and he smells funny.”

“He’ll enjoy seeing you though,” Beth said with a smile that was clearly forced. She looked back at the computer screen. “Okay. There’s availability on the flight on Friday morning ... But only one seat coming back in the evening.” She concentrated on the website. “We’ll have to come back on Saturday.”

“I can’t go, Mummy,” Ellie insisted. “Steph will be very sad if I’m not at the party. All my new friends will be. And I’ll be sad too.”

“I’m sorry sweetheart.” Beth turned to face her, taking her hands. “We have to go. There’s no choice.”

“Ellie could stay with us,” Trystan said without a lot of thought.

Beth’s gaze flicked to him. “Leave her here? With you?”

“Yeah.” He shrugged. “That way you could just go for the day. Ellie would be in the kids’ club in the morning. Then I can pick her up and keep her entertained until you get back.”

“That’s a good idea,” Mirren agreed. “It’ll be much easier for you. You’ll be able to focus on your dad.”

“I couldn’t possibly. It’s too much, and I’d feel terrible leaving her.” She smiled at Ellie. “I’m sorry you’ll miss kids’ club but I promise we’ll have a good time. It’s fun to go on a plane.”

“I don’t want to go,” Ellie told her flatly. “I’ll stay here with Trystan and Mirren.”

Beth took her hand and looked her right in the eyes. “I don’t want you to stay here without me.”

“Why not?”

“Well … because …”

As she struggled to come up with a reason, Trystan had the feeling he’d said the wrong thing by offering to look after Ellie; it would have at least been better to discuss it when Ellie wasn’t around.

Beth sighed heavily, then caught his eye. “Are you sure it’s okay?”

“Yes. No problem at all.”