‘And I’ve enjoyed every minute of it,’ I admit, kissing his cheek. We’ve always been close, but this week we’ve bonded on a totally different level.
‘She’s one in a million,’ Brock says, draping his arm around my shoulder.
‘She is.’ The huge smile on his face tells me Rupert’s pleased to see us together again.
Makes two of us.
Brock leaves me with Rupert while he goes to his appointment with the coroner. I can’t help but feel apprehensive—he promises to pick me up when he’s done, but that’s what he said the day his father died. I didn’t see him again for a week.
‘So, what are your plans once you’re discharged?’ I ask Rupert.
‘I’ll go back to my apartment. The doc says I have a few months of physio ahead of me.’
‘Do you live alone?’ Again I feel bad that I’ve never asked him before. He’s been my minder for over five years.
‘I do.’
‘How are you going to cope on your own? I heard the doctor say you’ll have limited movement in your arm for a while. Do you have family to care for you?’
‘Nope. It’s just me,’ he replies, sighing. The turmoil in his eyes tells me there’s a story there, but I’m not one to pry.
I place my hand on top of his. ‘Would you consider coming to stay with me? You know, until you regain some movement.’
‘I couldn’t do that.’
‘Yes, you could. I have plenty of room. Please. It would make me so happy.’ I give him the look I’ve often given him over the years. I know he can’t say no to that look. It’s low of me to even pull that move, but I want him to come stay with me. It’s the least I can do—I’m the one who got him into this mess.
‘I wouldn’t want to be a burden. You’ve only just regained your freedom.’ His words are telling me no, but the hopeful look I see on his face tells me he wants to accept my offer.
‘You could never be a burden. You’re like family to me.’
‘You’re like family to me as well.’ I’m surprised to see tears glistening in his eyes.
‘So come stay with me. It will be just like old times. I’ve missed being around you. It’s not like you can go back and work for M. We’re both out of a job now.’ Although there’s nothing funny about the way M’s treated us, there’s a touch of humour in my voice.
‘Are you sure you want me there?’ There’s vulnerability in his voice and it tears at my heart. I’ve never seen this side of him before. He’s always seemed so sure of himself, so put together.
‘Absolutely.’
‘Okay,’ he says, grinning. ‘That’ll be nice. Thank you.’
‘You don’t need to thank me. You’ve looked after me for years.’ We sit in comfortable silence for a while.
‘Can you pass me my wallet?’ Rupert says eventually. ‘It’s in the top drawer.’
Doing as he asks, I pass it to him. He opens it and hands it straight back.
‘I had a family once.’
He’s showing me a photo of two very attractive women. One looks to be around forty, the other is a teenager. They’re both blonde, and look like mother and daughter. There’s something familiar about the younger girl, but I can’t quite put my finger on it.
‘Is this your family?’
‘Yes. My wife and daughter.’
I hate that I don’t know this. ‘They’re beautiful.’
‘Thank you,’ he says. ‘Not a day goes by that I don’t miss them.’
‘Where are they now?’ I have a feeling I’m not going to like his answer, but he brought it up for a reason.
‘I lost my wife fifteen years ago, to breast cancer.’
‘I’m sorry, Rupert,’ I say, clutching his wallet to my chest.
‘She was the love of my life,’ he says. The sadness in his voice tugs at my heart. ‘Her name was Beth. We were high school sweethearts.’
Covering his hand with mine, I give it a comforting squeeze. ‘It must be hard for you. What about your daughter?’
‘I lost her too. Twelve years ago.’
‘What?’ I gasp. ‘How?’
‘She went missing.’
‘And you’ve had no contact with her since?’ His shoulders slump as he lets out a sigh.
‘She would’ve contacted me if she was still alive. Her bank account hasn’t been touched since she went missing.’
‘You think she’s dead?’ I whisper, squeezing his hand. ‘Have you tried to find her?’ Pulling his wallet away from my chest, I look down at the picture again. I know I’ve seen that face before.