by F. C. Clark
His lip curls with a hint of a smile.
‘So, are they girls or boys? I hope they’re boys. If they’re girls you’ll drive them mad.’
His brows arch. ‘I’ll lock them up with their obedient mother.’ He chuckles.
‘May I suggest you find her first?’ I can’t help laughing too. ‘Can we stop and get your mum a birthday present?’
‘I sent her flowers, plus a spa voucher.’
‘How thoughtful of you,’ I mock him.
‘Every woman likes flowers.’
‘But she deserves something personal,’ I say.
‘OK! I have an idea. Max, could you pull over?’ Luke says.
Within half an hour we arrive at Moor Park, Luke’s childhood home. Declan’s car is already on the driveway. We step out of the car; Max throws the car keys to Luke and leaves with Thomas, who’s already here.
Luke takes my hand and I carry Livy’s gift – literally!
‘Do you think they’ll ask me about the car accident?’
He looks at me. ‘Yes, but I’ll shut it down.’
‘What about today?’
‘Later.’
As predicted, Luke’s mum asks me about the accident, then his dad gives me some road safety advice, while I listen obediently.
Thankfully, Ollie arrives, the youngest of the Sutton clan, in his new car, which becomes the hot topic. Luke disappears for a test drive. This is the first time Luke has seen Ollie since he found out Alexis took advantage of his younger brother during a difficult time in his life.
I sit at the table with Declan, while Livy and Edward begin to prepare dinner.
‘So, what have you been up to?’ I ask.
‘Not much. This and that… You know how it is,’ Declan says, sounding pissed off. He takes his wine glass and swirls the burgundy liquid. Why is he being arsey? Is it to do with Kiki? His ‘relationship’ with my best friend is anything but serious.
‘Kiki is still in LA, right?’ I ask.
He nods. I know hostility when it slaps me in the face. His eyes meet mine. ‘I’ll tell you what I haven’t been doing, Kate, shall I?’ He fires his words. ‘I’ve not had the pleasure of visiting Alexis daily! Let’s be honest here.’
Oh crap – how the hell did he find out? The dining room is a fair distance from the kitchen, so we can’t be heard by Livy or Edward.
‘Is that why you’re being arsey with me? It’s not what you think.’
He rests his elbows on the dark oak table.
‘You know what she did to Ollie? She ripped his fucking heart out.’
‘I know, but—’
‘You call yourself a Sutton? Brown-nosing that bitch.’
‘Please, Declan, I have my reasons.’
‘Back-stabbing reasons.’ He leans back in his chair, downing his wine. ‘I never saw you as weak. Fuck, you can handle my brother!’
‘I don’t deserve that. I think the world of Ollie.’
‘Bullshit. How do you think Ollie will feel, knowing you’re being all pally with Alexis?’ Declan stands up. ‘I fucking trusted you, and now you’ve shown your true colours.’
‘Don’t talk to me like that,’ I say, trying to stop myself from crying.
‘I can’t bloody look at you.’
‘I would tell you what’s going on if I could. You have to believe me.’
‘Believe what? More bullshit?’ he says.
‘I can’t do anything about what she did to Ollie, but she helped me.’ When I turn my head, all eyes are on me. Luke is back.
‘What the hell is going on?’ He looks at me, then at Declan. I wipe away my tears.
‘I’m waiting.’
Livy comes in. ‘Someone needs to explain to me why Kate is crying. Declan?’
‘Don’t ask me, ask her,’ Declan shouts.
‘Declan Sutton!’ Livy bellows.
‘It’s fine, Livy. Please, this is your birthday,’ I say.
‘This is all your fault, Kate,’ Declan hisses.
Luke pulls his arm back. I grab it, knowing what he’s thinking.
‘Declan, do not ever talk to Kate like that again, do you understand me?’ Livy points at his face.
‘Luke.’ Edward stands in front of his eldest son, in command. ‘For Christ’s sake, take it down a notch, boys.’
‘Would someone please tell me what the bloody hell is going on?’ Livy says.
‘Ask her why she’s been visiting Alexis every day.’ Declan waves his arm in my direction.
‘Why is that a problem? She’s just lost her father,’ Livy blurts.
‘Declan, I’m warning you, this is not the time or the place. Just drop it,’ Luke hisses.
But I know the look in Declan’s eyes. He won’t give up. He needs to know more.
‘Please listen to Luke,’ I implore.
‘No fucking way. I’m not my brother’s puppet.’
‘Let’s calm down.’ Ollie stands by my side. ‘Kate, I think you should relax.’
‘How can you stand next to her knowing she has been brown-nosing Alexis Cooper?’
‘For Christ’s sake, Declan, she saved my life. I don’t know what else to say. Yes, I hate what she did to Ollie, but I don’t hate her for stopping her dad from raping me.’ I take a deep breath. Fuck – I didn’t mean to say that.
‘What did you say?’ Livy looks at Luke. ‘What the hell is going on?’ She reaches for my hand. ‘Sit down, Kate – and I’m not asking you, I’m telling you.’
She guides me to a dining chair and sits at the head of the table.
‘Declan, I fucking warned you,’ Luke shouts across the room.
‘Luke, please.’ I tug him to sit next to me.
‘Enough!’ Livy shouts. ‘I suggest you all take a seat. We need a family discussion – and, yes, Declan, that does include Kate. She is your brother’s wife. What’s our golden rule? We protect each other. Do I make myself bloody clear?’
Silence envelops the room.
‘Ollie, go and get the brandy. I have a feeling I will need it.’
‘Sorry, this is all my fault.’ I can’t stop crying. Luke pulls me close to his chest.
‘Nonsense. Obviously you have not been in a car accident and Luke has been feeding us bullshit. Well, no more.’ Wow – Livy commands her Sutton boys well. She takes her glass of brandy and downs it in one. ‘I’m warning you, do not lie to me!’ Her stern voice echoes around the room, silencing the Sutton men. ‘Ollie – something happened between you and Alexis?’
Ollie looks across the table. ‘Mum, I don’t want to talk about it.’
‘This must have been some time ago?’ she asks.
Oh crap, this is too painful to watch.
‘Does this have anything to do with Jeremy’s death?’ Jeremy was Ollie’s childhood friend. After his death, Alexis took advantage of his vulnerability. She took his virginity – and heart, leading to Ollie’s attempted suicide.
‘Yes, but…’
‘You and I will chat later,’ Livy says. Ollie looks relieved – but not nearly as relieved as I am. ‘Declan, you have been a pain in the arse since the day you left my womb. Of course I love you with all my heart, but you need to grow up, stop sleeping with every girl you meet, and focus on your life.’
Wow, Livy is on form this evening.
‘Luke, where do I begin? With your tales of working in a bank before you set up Sutton Global, and being posted all around the world, arriving home with various minor injuries, I assume they were from a stapler?’ Livy raises her brows at her firstborn. I’ve always wondered how on earth they believed the story Luke told them.
‘Do I want to know what you were up to? No. Why on earth do you think your father and I got married so quickly?’ She points to Luke. ‘Yes, I got pregnant. Your grandmother went mad. As paren
ts we have had our fair share of dramas, so please don’t treat us like idiots.’
‘Mum.’ Luke reaches for her hand.
‘I understand you have your reasons for not telling us things, but your father and I are here for you. We want to see you all happy. So, the Coopers… Why do I not believe Philip was killed in a shooting accident?’
‘He wasn’t. My birth father shot him.’
Luke glares at me in disbelief.
It takes half an hour for Luke to explain the true reasons for my injuries and to tell everyone about my Russian birth parents. All the Suttons remain quiet throughout, even Declan. Livy holds my hand, as any mother would do, offering strength as I watch them find out that a man they thought was a close family friend was in fact a child molester and murderer.
‘To think I paid my respects to him! Edward, I feel sick.’ She takes a swig of her drink. ‘What that poor girl, Alexis must have gone through. And they visited us over the years. Why did I not see anything?’
‘Christ, I went to school with the man. He was always devious but never violent… Or so I thought. It just goes to show, you really don’t know people. Kate, maybe you should be at home,’ Edward says.
‘I’m fine, honestly.’
‘Luke, I’m cross with you. You should have told us – we could have helped Kate. This is too much for her to bear, and Harry! Oh my goodness, how is she, and your parents?’ Livy squeezes my hand. I appreciate her empathy.
‘As I said, this information stays in this room. We haven’t told Kate’s parents about recent events – which is what Harry and Kate decided. Malcolm and Susan have been through enough.’
‘Of course, when the poor man was attacked,’ Livy says.
‘Honestly, this would break them. Harry and I couldn’t cope with another blow to our family,’ I plead.
‘You have our word. Boys?’ Livy says and looks at Declan and Ollie.
‘Sure,’ Declan says – his first word since Luke began the story.
‘Goes without saying.’ Ollie holds his hand in the air.
‘Luke, what about the authorities?’ Edward asks.
‘It is not quite that simple, Dad, and what you don’t know won’t get you into trouble. All anyone needs to know is that Philip was shot while hunting and Kate had a car accident at Sandbanks.’
‘Ollie, I’m sorry,’ I say.
‘Jesus, Kate, it was a long time ago. She saved you. I think we can draw a line under it now. Right, Declan?’
Declan shrugs. He’s still pissed off. What a surprise – another Sutton who can hold a grudge!
‘This has to be the most bizarre birthday.’ Livy tries to smile.
‘I think it’s time for some champagne.’ Edward heads to the kitchen.
I lean towards Luke. ‘Where’s the gift bag?’ He leaves the room and returns with a white bag.
‘Happy birthday, Mum – we hope you like it.’
‘You two! Honestly, the flowers were beautiful, and my spa day. There’s no need for anything else.’
‘I wanted to get you something personal, but for obvious reasons I haven’t been out,’ I say.
Edward returns and places a silver tray on the table, plus six champagne flutes and a bottle of Bollinger. Livy removes the gift, which is wrapped in white tissue, and unwraps it. She looks at Luke, then at me.
‘I don’t understand.’
She holds up two white baby-grows. Luke gives a smile that would melt any mother’s heart.
‘Are you telling me you’re…’ Livy says.
‘Pregnant.’ The word that has caused me so much panic leaves my lips, but today I know it will bring delight to someone.
‘Oh my goodness, Edward, look at these.’ She leans to me and kisses my cheek. ‘Kate, I’m so thrilled for you both! How are you feeling?’
‘I’m OK.’
‘Luke, this is just what you need, come here.’ She holds him close.
Edward pulls me to him for a hug, then Ollie does the same. I can’t help feeling that Declan remains cold. Have I really hurt him? We all sit back down. Luke and I are aware that the penny has not dropped!
‘So Mum, you like to think you’re quite astute…’
‘I have to be, dealing with my boys.’
She watches Edward pour the champagne.
‘How many baby-grows were there?’ Luke says.
Edward stops pouring and chuckles. ‘Oh my word… they’re having twins.’
‘That’s it, I can take no more… Ollie, go and get the Chinese takeaway menus and bring the grappa with you.’
Declan stands and leaves the room. Luke stands too.
I stop him. ‘He’s cross with me – let me speak to him.’
I wander into the lounge, which is empty. So now Declan is playing hide and seek. I climb the stairs and check a few rooms before I find him in a bedroom; I assume it must be his old room.
‘Hi,’ I say.
He looks up.
‘I’m sorry about this business with Alexis.’
‘Why didn’t you tell me? Instead you let me rant like a fucking madman.’
I perch at the other end of the window seat.
‘Luke didn’t want anyone to know.’ I reach for his hand. ‘I would never hurt you or Ollie – please believe me.’
He looks out of the window. ‘I’ve been a prick.’
‘Nothing new, right?’
‘I deserve that.’
‘So, how do you feel about babysitting? It’s part of your uncle role.’
He smiles. ‘God help those babies… with my brother as their dad.’
‘He’ll be a nightmare – I know from first-hand experience.’
‘Actually, you’ll both be great.’
‘Have you forgiven me?’ I ask.
‘There’s nothing to forgive.’
‘How did you find out about me visiting Alexis?’
‘A friend lives in the same building as Alexis. She told me.’
‘I took her some food. I feel bad that she got hurt.’ I look out of the window. ‘I told her we were pissed off about what she’d done to Ollie.’ I look at him but his eyes remain on the garden. ‘Declan, she was sorry, and I think she was also incredibly young when it happened.’
‘I can’t forgive her – not yet.’ He looks at me. ‘My brother nearly died.’
‘I can’t imagine how painful it was. Listen, it’s your pain and hurt, you put it to rest when you’re ready.’
‘I assume Kiki doesn’t know about the baby? Sorry, babies.’
I shake my head. ‘I haven’t spoken to her since last week. She doesn’t even know I was attacked. Don’t tell her about the babies. I’ll speak to her as soon as she lands.’
‘She lands at eight tomorrow evening. I can’t believe Luke is going to have kids… Jesus, Luke with a baby. I never saw that happening.’
Me neither!
We arrive home around nine thirty. Luke heads out for his usual run and I run a bath – my first bath since Russia.
After a while, Luke saunters into the bathroom, already taking off his clothes.
‘What are you doing?’ he pants.
‘Obviously, I’m having a bath!’
‘I thought we agreed a shower would be a wiser choice.’
‘No, you said that. Anyway, I wanted a bath. Besides, your friend Dr Samantha said I could have a bath.’
He gauges my words. ‘My friend?’
‘Yeah, I thought she seemed… overly familiar with you.’
‘Kate Sutton, are you jealous?’ He removes his running shoes and joins me in the bath.
‘No.’ Maybe. Probably!
He watches me closely. ‘I’ve known her for a while.’ He takes my feet and begins to massage them. ‘She’s healed a few of my war wounds.’
‘I can imagine!’
He grips my feet. ‘Hey, she’s just a doctor I trust.’
An attractive doctor. ‘Honestly, I don’t care. That foot massage feels like heaven.’
‘What a day,’ he says.
‘Holy shit, we’re having two babies. I can’t believe it – can you?’
‘No… Not many situations shock me, but today!’ He whistles.
‘You’re going to be a dad! Does it make your head spin?’
‘Yes.’ He laughs. What a joy it is to see his face light up. He looks ridiculously happy.
‘I want to scream, and cry, and bloody panic – holy shitting hell, Luke.’
‘Holy shitting hell indeed.’
‘Two babies.’
For a moment we are silent, thinking about our babies: a double helping of parenthood, a Sutton surprise neither of us expected.
‘Sorry. I didn’t mean to blurt out my double life.’
‘It’s out and contained. I would rather it not be…’
‘I trust your family, Luke.’
‘They’re your family too.’
‘Your mum never believed your story about working in a bank!’ I laugh.
He smirks. ‘She never questioned me.’
‘Was it your choice not to tell them about your 007 life?’
‘Jesus, what is it with you and 007? And yes, it was my choice, plus there was too much red tape, things I would never be able to discuss. It was easier to keep them separate.’
‘I’m pleased you didn’t hit Declan.’
‘He came close. When you’re threatened I see red.’
‘What about Russia?’
His eyes close and he sucks in a sharp breath. ‘Red is an understatement.’
‘You don’t want to talk about it, do you?’
‘There’s nothing to say. When you called me from Sandbanks, I’ve never felt so helpless. I’ve had countless missions – both to protect and to rescue people. I treated the person as a job. You stay focused and alert and you take them to safety. But when it’s someone you love, the job alters… It’s hard to remain professional when it’s personal.’
