Before she could reply he knocked on the door and sudden trepidation touched her. As if he sensed it, Liam took her hand in his just as the door swung open. A woman who was clearly Liam’s mum stood at the door, a smile on her face. Her eyes went directly to Liam, rested on him for a poignant moment and Ava could see the love. Yet there was also a wariness, one that directly matched Liam’s.
Liam moved forward, but she sensed an awkwardness in the jut of shoulder; for once his movement seemed stilted as he hugged the older woman.
‘Mum, this is Ava. Ava, this is my mum.’
‘Pleased to meet you.’
‘And you.’ Ava knew she had to avert the sense of discomfort in the air and it seemed clear that Bea felt the same way. The older woman smiled. ‘John and Max are getting things ready in the kitchen. I thought maybe we should have a word in private first.’
Bea led them into the lounge, a tastefully decorated, comfortably cluttered room. She turned to Ava, her grey eyes clear and direct. ‘Max knows nothing about what happened between your father and Liam’s dad and I’d like to keep it that way.’
‘I completely understand and I won’t say anything about that,’ Ava said, appreciating the directness of Bea’s words. ‘But I would like to tell you that my father did regret his actions. I realise that is not particularly helpful but he was sorry. And I am too.’
‘Thank you. It was a long tim
e ago now and, whilst I won’t pretend to any positive feeling towards your father, I know his actions are not your fault. I will do my best not to make this awkward.’
‘Thank you.’
She broke off as the door swung open to admit a youth and a tall man with grizzled hair and a serious face, though Ava noted his eyes held both warmth and humour. Both held trays containing tea and coffee pots as well as plates of cakes and biscuits.
‘Ava, this is Max and John They have been baking up a storm today—sadly I am banned from the kitchen due to my non-existent baking skills. Which Liam will also attest to.’
Liam simply smiled, a small tight smile. ‘I am sure these will be delicious.’ But the words walked on stilts and Ava flashed a quick glance at him, instinctively stepped a little closer to him. Irrationally wanted him to know that, whilst she definitely liked Bea, she was on his side. Though why there should be a side to pick, she wasn’t quite sure.
Accepting a cake from Max, she smiled at him, saw he had inherited his dad’s serious face. ‘They are utterly delicious,’ she said. ‘Chocolate orange?’
Max nodded. ‘Yes, and Dad made shortbread.’
‘You are men of many talents.’ She smiled at John. ‘Liam did mention you love cooking and I understand Max, you rollerblade as well.’
The dark-haired boy nodded. ‘I speed skate and I play roller hockey.’
Bea gave a small shudder. ‘It’s a pretty violent game. But Max is brilliant at it. He’s trying out for the county team next week.’ Her pride shone through and Ava could sense how close she and her stepson were, wondered whether Liam minded on some level. Impossible to tell from his expression, which was one of courteous interest.
Max turned to Liam and she could see the curiosity in his eyes. ‘Um... We had a careers fair at school the other day. The army were there. It looked really cool. I... I told them about you.’ Another quick look. ‘They were talking about the army reserves. I wondered if you joined them. Mum said to ask you.’
Liam glanced quickly at his mum and then back to Max, and again Ava sensed an undercurrent of unease, suspected Liam wasn’t quite sure what to say, what his mum wanted him to say. And her heart twisted inside her in empathy—she knew he wanted to do what was best. Knew too that Bea simply wanted him to tell the truth, otherwise she wouldn’t have told Max to ask him. But perhaps what seemed obvious to her wasn’t obvious to Liam.
Without thought she intervened. ‘Liam told me he joined up because his boss at his Saturday job was in the reserves. That it was a great thing for him.’
Another glance at his mum and then Liam nodded. ‘It gave me structure and I loved the physical side of it. I guess a gym would do the same thing but I liked the outdoors element. I made some good friends too—people I’m still in touch with today.’
‘Maybe I’ll give it a go. I’ll mention you when I enrol.’
It became clear to Ava that Bea and John and Max were a happy relaxed family unit, the banter and the chat easy, and Ava found herself laughing at some of the dry anecdotes John told about work and some of the plumbing disasters he encountered. Yet throughout Ava was, oh, so aware of Liam next to her, felt the palpable tension in his body, saw how little he participated. His laughter was a little forced, a beat behind everyone else.
And it tugged her heartstrings because this showed a vulnerable side to him and she wasn’t sure what had caused that. Realising the topic had shifted once more, Ava quickly refocused.
‘I’ve got to do some work experience as part of my course,’ Max said. ‘I wish I could roller skate for that. But I can’t.’
‘You could come to work with me.’ Both John and Bea spoke at the same time and Max made a face.
‘I really appreciate that but going to work with you or Dad isn’t the same as...’ He trailed off but Ava saw the quick glance that he cast at Liam.
So did Bea. Swiftly she leaned forward and Ava sensed it was to protect Max from potential rejection. ‘We were wondering if you’d like to stay for dinner?’
‘Another time,’ Liam said. ‘I’ve got plans for dinner tonight.’