Strong (Kindred #1) (10 page)

Carmen drops me off at the hotel Mom and Dad booked us all into for the time we’re here. I get my bag from the back and stand on the sidewalk waiting for her to say something. She stands just looking at me and I get the message, it’s up to me to work out what happens from here.

“Can I take you out for lunch tomorrow?” I ask her.

“That would be lovely, I have to speak to my parents, then Wednesday is the big day, lunch would be great.”

“I’ll talk to Mom and Dad, explain everything. I’ll make sure they don’t say anything to Jack.”

“Carter, can you just wait until after Wednesday? I don’t know anything right now, can I at least find out what’s going to happen before you tell them?”

“Of course. Sorry.”

“Thank you. So I’ll see you tomorrow? Shall I come here?”

“No, I’ll come to you? Give me your address, I’ll work it out.”

She gives me her address then kisses my cheek goodbye. I stand there and watch as she drives away, completely lost as to what I’m supposed to do now. I pick up my bag and head into the hotel, giving them my name, they hand me my key and I head up to my room. I suddenly feel exhausted and in desperate need for sleep. I guess the jet lag is hitting me now.

I step into my room and drop my bag to the floor, I take my phone out of my pocket and text Mom and Lex to let them know I’m here and I’m going to shower and get some sleep. Mom texts back and says they’ll meet me downstairs for dinner tonight. I switch it to silent and head to the shower. The heat helps relax me and I climb into bed, exhausted ten minutes later. Before I switch the lights off, I check my phone, there’s a message from Carmen.

Carmen:
Thank you for the best car journey ever. And thank you for Walter, he’s going to keep me company while I sleep, I’m exhausted! See you tomorrow. xC

Me:
Lucky Walter. I’m going to sleep too. I’m here if you need me. xC

I
wake up to soft knocking on my bedroom door. Mum’s face appears ten seconds later and she smiles at me. I smile back and sit up as she comes in and sits on the bed.

“Feel better after a sleep?” she asks, reaching out and running her thumb under my eyes.

“A little.” I shrug.

“Dinner is almost ready, do you want to join us?” she asks hopefully.

“If I can wear my pyjamas.”

“Sweetheart, you can wear whatever you like.”

She leans forward and kisses my forehead and I close my eyes and fight back the tears that threaten to fall. I have to be strong, I have to fight this, I can’t cry and I can’t let Mum know how scared I am that I won’t survive this, that when I go to the hospital on Wednesday, they’re going to tell me that the doctors in Australia were wrong, that there is nothing they can do for me.

“I’ll just go to the loo then I’ll be down,” I smile at her. “What are we having?”

“Your favourite.” she grins.

She leaves me and I reach for my phone, there’s a message from Carter and my heart leaps at the sight of his name on my screen.

Calm down, Carmen.
I tell myself.

You’ve known this guy two days and now is not the time to start thinking about getting into anything with anyone.

I open the message screen and there’s a photo of a cup of hot chocolate with the message;
if you know the secret, it’s perfect every time ;)

I grin and reach for Walter, sit him on my chest and take a photo of the two of us, my hair is a mess and I look half asleep, but I really don’t care. I send the photo with the message;
Walter needs to know the secret. What is it?
I take my phone with me when I head downstairs, the delicious scent of lasagne filling the air. I head into the kitchen and find Mum and Dad sitting at the dining table reading the papers. They both look up when I come in and smile, I almost run to them and climb into my Dad’s lap and beg him to make this better like he always could when I was a little girl.

I don’t.

This is hard enough on them as it is.

“I see you dressed for the occasion.” Dad jokes, looking me up and down.

“You mean pyjamas and fluffy slippers aren’t the done thing at the Reid family dinner table?” I smile, sitting next to him.

“Not usually, no.” he laughs.

“Just this once?”

“As it’s you.” he smiles and I lean over to kiss his cheek.

“Dad and I are having a glass of red, do you want one?” Mum asks, standing.

“I don’t think I should.”

“Sweetheart, one glass isn’t going to hurt you.”

“I suppose you’re right, go on then.”

My phone bleeps at me and I pick it up off the table, Carter’s name is sitting on the screen and Dad doesn’t even try to pretend he’s not looking over my shoulder.

“Dad, a little privacy, please.”

“Who’s Carter?” he asks me.

“He’s Jack’s brother.”

“And why is Jack’s brother texting you?”

“Well, I gave him a lift back from Cornwall, so maybe to say thank you?” I scowl at him.

“Okay…”

“Don’t do that!” I slap his arm. “There is nothing in it.”

“Is he good looking?” Mum calls from the kitchen.

“Mum! Stop it!”

“That means he is.” Dad teases me.

“You know I’m looking for a place to move into, don’t you?” I tell them, glaring at Dad.

“You don’t need to, we have your room upstairs and we’ll be here to look after you.”

“I don’t need looking after.”

“You might after Wednesday, while you… you know…”

“Yes, yes, we all know.” I half shout.

“I was just teasing, love.” Dad says, holding my hand.

“I know, I’m sorry, everything is just…”

“You don’t have to explain,” Mum smiles, coming into the dining room. “Here.” she hands me a glass of red wine and then hands one to Dad.

“I suggest we toast to our beautiful daughter who has accomplished so much and who still has lots she wants to do.” Dad smiles at me.

“We’re so very proud of you.” Mum tells me, sitting down with her own glass.

“Thank you.” I smile, willing the tears not to fall.

“Whatever happens, we’re here, whatever happens, we couldn’t be more proud of you, we love you so much.” Dad sniffs next to me.

“Don’t, Dad. It’s all going to be okay.” I lean over and hug him.

He holds me tight and doesn’t let me go when I pull back.

After dinner, Dad tells me he’d like us all to watch a film he bought today. Mum and I agree and after loading the dishwasher, we all settle in the lounge to watch the film. When Dad shows me what it is, I grin.

“What are you grinning at?”

“Testament of Youth… It’s supposed to be a very good film.”

“That’s not why you’re grinning.”

“Just put it on, Dad.”

I’m not about to tell my Dad it has one of the hottest men on the planet in it. I settle on the big arm chair with a blanket and my phone. Mum brings in a bowl of popcorn and a big mug of hot chocolate for me. Now, normally I would think Mum’s hot chocolate is the best thing ever, but after trying Carter’s I can’t help but find it a little… lacking. I pick up my phone and text Carter while Dad gets the DVD ready.

Me:
Mum just made hot chocolate…

Carter:
And? It’s not as good as mine, is it?

Me:
Nope. Not at all. What’s the secret?

Carter:
I’m not telling you. What are you doing?

Me:
About to watch Testament of Youth with Mum and Dad. You?

Carter:
Just heading down to dinner. Is that as boring as it sounds?

Me:
It has Kit Harington in it, I’m sure I’ll survive ;)

Carter:
I’m shocked. You mean you’re watching it for the eye candy?

Me:
Yup! An evening with hot chocolate and Kit, what could be better?

Carter:
An evening with hot chocolate and me? ;)

Me:
Enjoy your dinner Carter. See you tomorrow

Carter:
Nice dodge. You know it’s true. Enjoy your drooling… I mean the film

Two hours later, Mum is softly snoring on the sofa and Dad is gripped, I’m enjoying it but can’t help but feel disappointed at the lack of Kit. My phone buzzes in my lap and I see Carter’s name on my screen.

Carter:
Are you still drooling?

Me:
No. They killed him off! So rude. How was dinner?

Carter:
I ate enough to feed a small army. Is it wrong I am still sitting on my bed surrounded by candy trying to work out what to eat first?

Me:
Yes! That is disgusting

Carter:
It’s candy! It totally doesn’t count

Me:
It does count. And you’re still disgusting

Carter:
What time for lunch tomorrow?

Me:
You can’t be thinking of more food?

Carter:
Of course. There are so many things I want to try. Can we get fish and chips?

Me:
No. You have to try your first fish and chips at the seaside. I’ll take you sometime

Carter:
DEAL! So what time?

Me:
1? I’ll meet you at your hotel, my Dad has been asking questions and I’m not ready to answer them yet

Carter:
Okay. So I’ll see you tomorrow?

Me:
Yes. Sleep well. Don’t eat too many sweets!

Carter:
I will eat too many :) I’m such a child.
Goodnight Carmen x

Me:
Goodnight Carter x

The movie finishes and Dad says goodnight, he wakes Mum and they both head up to bed. I get myself a glass of water and head upstairs too. As I close my bedroom door and spot Walter sitting on my bed, it’s like something breaks inside me and the tears come. I don’t even make it to the bed, I just slide down the door and collapse in a heap on the floor. I bring my knees up to my chest and wrap my arms around them and let all the tears fall. With each one that falls, it feels like my pain becomes more real. In less than forty-eight hours, my life is going to change, my life is going to become hospital appointments, it’s going to become tests and words I don’t understand. I’m going to become a statistic. With a struggle, I pull myself up and off the floor, throwing back the covers and pulling Walter to my chest, I cry myself to sleep and don’t wake up until it’s light outside.