Waiting for Callum (The Waite Family Book 2) Read online

  “I’ve not known you for long, Callum Waite, but I seem to be getting the impression that you’re the one who makes sure everyone is okay. The protector. You’re stepping up with Eli, who has already told me how excited he is about bowling; and you’re looking out for the neighbour you barely know. Who looks out for you, Callum Waite?”

  She put her hand on top of mine on the gate and squeezed. “Don’t forget to look out for yourself okay?”

  I didn’t get to reply because my brother came charging out of the house. “What are you doing molesting my brother, Princess? Is one Waite brother not enough for you?”

  “You coming bowling Saturday night, Miley?” I asked him.

  “Sure thing. And I’ll bring, Vi, so she can see me bending and showing off my pert butt.”

  I saw when his thoughts reached a different conclusion. “You’re not playing, Princess.” He told her. "I’m not having anyone but me checking out that arse.”

  “There’s only one arse around here that people are noticing.” Violet quipped. “I’ll see you Saturday, Cal. And remember, my door is always open.”

  I nodded.

  “It’s our door, not your door, and it’s not always open, at some times it is most definitely locked.” Milo picked her up and put her over his shoulder. Then as he realised her backside would be facing me, he began to walk backwards. “Bowling. Text me the deets.” He shouted and then checking behind himself he went into the house, closed the door with a wink on his face, and I heard the lock turn.

  Before I went back into our house, I looked up at Becca’s top windows. The curtains remained drawn. I wondered if she’d ever actually come back to live there. I shouldn’t imagine she’d want to stay in the place where her husband died.

  Anyway, it wasn’t my problem. But it was my night to fix dinner, so I went inside to make a start on prep and then if no one else had done it, tonight I’d call Ezra.

  Sure enough, I discovered that no one had thought to tell Ezra. Not even Dad, who looked particularly guilty. I clapped him on the back. “Dad, I think you can forgive yourself. It’s all been a bit full on lately.”

  “Yes, it’s certainly been that. I’d better call him and catch him up with things.” He scratched at his chin. Dad and Ezra’s relationship had become strained over the years. I think Dad felt Ezra blamed him for mum leaving. I didn’t know if there was any truth in it. Ezra always maintained he just followed his dreams.

  I went up to my room and closed the door. This room had been Ezra’s before it had been mine. I’d shared with Milo, which I think is why I was closer to him than the others. I’d had to bunk up when Juliet was born. Once Ezra left, I’d thankfully been able to move out. My room was on the small side, but it was all I needed. I wasn’t one for having lots of stuff. It looked out over the front of the house. If it had been at the back maybe I’d have known Becca lived so close sooner.

  I pressed FaceTime and after a few rings, my elder brother answered.

  “Videocall. Must be a crisis. Let me guess, Silas got someone up the duff?”

  “Nope. He’s still a horndog, but no strays as far as we know.”

  But a stray is what I’m calling about.

  “So?” He raised his eyebrows. Straight to the point as ever. I looked over his features because I'd not seen him for a long time. His blonde hair was slightly grown out, his blue eyes the only thing he had in common with me. All of the Waites had various shades of brown hair, but Ezra’s was light blonde, like our paternal grandfather’s. He'd always had to be different.

  It was rare to find him looking like the brother I remembered. Usually he’d taken on the persona of the character he was playing. He could have different coloured hair, be slimmer, be fatter. Ezra was a chameleon.

  “I’ll just come out with it as quickly as possible because I really don’t know how to say it, but we have a half-brother. He’s fourteen. Mum had a kid with Dan Dawson and abandoned him the minute he was born.”

  Ezra’s face mottled as I watched. His neck corded and his nostrils flared. “She fucking did what? Are you kidding me right now?”

  I shook my head. “I wish I was, Ezra, but I’m not. And Dan died, drug overdose. The kid’s largely been raised by a stepmum.”

  I explained how Violet had looked up Dan on Facebook, finding out he’d died but that Elias existed, and she’d got in touch. Ezra knew Violet was Marg Dawson's grandaughter, but he’d not realised how fast Milo had worked his magic on her, so I told him about Milo moving in with Violet.

  As I continued to speak, I saw him calm down.

  “Bloody hell. She must really love him to put up with his ways. I’m surprised he asked her to marry him and didn’t just tell her.”

  “I’m sure if she’d said no, he would have.”

  That made Ezra smile. A rare sight. I don’t remember the last time I saw it.

  “So you’ve met this kid, our newfound brother?”

  “Yeah, and I’m taking him bowling this weekend. He seems a good kid, though his stepmum told Dad not to be fooled by the innocent act and said he could be a devil.”

  “Well that can’t be a surprise given his heritage. Fuck, another brother. Bet Juliet’s pissed it’s a boy.”

  “She’s just pleased it means she’s not the youngest anymore. She wants us to pick on Eli now instead.”

  “Never gonna happen. She’s the only girl. Even I still give her shit from over here.”

  “You do?” I wasn’t aware Ezra was in touch with anyone regularly.

  “Yeah, not very often, but I still do it.”

  “So, anyway, your new brother wants to know if you can get him a straight pass to the red carpet to meet as many other stars as possible.” I winked.

  “Kids. Well as it happens, I have a new film coming out with a London premiere. It’s not for months yet but maybe I could take him along. Don’t tell him though. I don’t want to get his hopes up if I can’t do it.”

  “You might be coming to the UK?”

  “Mayyybbe.”

  “Will you visit?”

  A slow smile spread across his face. “I guess I need to come meet my new half-brother and do my bit for family relations, but I doubt I’ll stay long. You know me. The whole Waite family thing suffocates me. I need my space.”

  “I know.” I paused for a moment, chewing on my bottom lip. “Do you think she had any more?”

  “What?”

  “Mum. Do you think she might have done it again? That there could be another abandoned kid or two somewhere.”

  “Who the fuck knows? She’s certainly got some questions to answer.”

  “Huh, yeah. Except no one knows where she is to answer them. What if she’s dead too? Like Dan.”

  “I don’t want to talk about her anymore. It pisses me off. Send me a photo of the kid and his telephone number. I guess I ought to introduce myself to him at some point.”

  “He’ll fucking wet himself with excitement.”

  “He’ll soon realise I’m the least exciting Waite of them all.”

  I sighed. “That’s not true and you know it.”

  I heard a door open and a female voice.

  “I’ve got to go.” He said and ended the FaceTime.

  I wondered if he’d settled down yet, found someone? There were plenty of photos of him with women online if you looked him up, but there’d never been anything you’d call long term. I hoped he did come home soon. I missed him.

  Chapter Five

  Becca

  I stepped into my mum and dad’s house and told them I was going to get myself and Laurel changed. I needed out of the black formal clothes. I put Laurel a t-shirt and shorts on and I dressed in my pyjamas and added a robe.

  “Daddy home soon?” Laurel said, her big brown eyes staring up at me. She held her fairy doll, Luna, tight under her arm.

  “Oh, sweetie.” I picked her up and placed her on my knee. “Do you remember what I told you?” I stroked my hand through her dark curls. “The angels to
ok Daddy up to heaven. He got very, very ill.”

  “I want Daddy.”

  Her bottom lip wobbled and I hugged her closer to me, inhaling the sweet smell that was all my baby girl. “Me too, Laurel. Me too.”

  I stroked her back. She curled up into me and before long, soft little breaths came from her as she fell asleep. It had been a big day for her. Long and overwhelming with all the people fussing around her. She was off her usual routine but who cared. For now, she could sleep. Escape the reality of life without her darling daddy.

  I carried her to the double bed we had been sharing and put her under the covers, tucking her in with Luna and with Hugo, the dog toy Rob had bought her when she was one and had just learned to walk. She loved both of them, but Hugo suffered the most as she liked to twiddle and suck on his ears which had now had to be repaired several times. Lying at the side of her for a moment, I wondered what we were meant to do now. Our future, the one I’d thought we’d have with Rob, was gone. Every day I woke up having forgotten and then like Groundhog Day, I’d remember and the pain would hit all over again. Fresh new waves daily. I couldn’t stay here at my parents’ house much longer. I needed to try to get Laurel back to her usual routines.

  I came to the decision that tomorrow, I was going back home. I needed to go through Rob’s things. I needed to sort out paperwork. It would keep me busy.

  You need to see if there’s anything about Zoey. The thought was unwelcome. But they kept coming. Ever since she’d made her stupid announcement at the funeral. Yes, she was a teenager with problems; yes, it was probably all lies; but while I was trying to mourn the loss of my husband, she was like a slow spreading poison.

  What if it’s true?

  What if he fucked her?

  What if he got her pregnant?

  What if the last months of your marriage were a sham?

  And if it’s true, is it the first time, or has he been deceiving you all along?

  And I hated her for it. More than she could ever know, because Rob was my darling, beloved husband. Just over a week ago we had taken Laurel to a local farm and we'd smiled at each other and held hands as we watched her face beam with delight, together. Shared the looks we knew the words for without speaking. Were wrapped in a happy bubble of love and joy.

  And now I was doubting his memory. Just the tiniest bit. Not consciously, but just by that tormenting inner voice.

  What if he did it?

  Leaving Laurel curled up looking oh-so-content in sleep with a peace I wasn’t sure I’d ever feel again, I pulled my robe tighter around myself and made my way downstairs. My mother shot my father a look as I passed.

  “I’d not realised it was bedtime.” She said. “I thought it was four in the afternoon.”

  “Leave her, Esther.” Dad stuck up for me. I went into the kitchen, opened the fridge and took out a bottle of apple juice, pouring myself a large glass. I felt like I needed vitamins. The thought flashed in my mind that now Laurel only had one parent, I must keep healthy.

  “I’m moving back home tomorrow.” I announced to my parents.

  They both began to protest. I let them have their say and then I sat down on the chair opposite the sofa.

  “Look. I know I have a room here. I know I can come back here at any point I feel I can’t cope. You two have been amazing. I couldn’t ask for better parents. But I want to go home. It will help me to accept that he’s gone. Will help Laurel realise he’s not coming home.”

  A tear ran down my mum’s cheek. “I wish this had not happened to you, sweetheart. You shouldn’t have had to bury your husband today. It’s not like he’d had a decent innings like your dad.”

  My dad snorted in disgust. “Are you saying I should be dead instead? You wish. You’d spend all my bloody money on more bloody clothes. I’m only sixty-two, woman.”

  Their banter made me laugh. It was just so normal within these days of the abnormal. Dad grinned at me, clearly delighted that he’d brought a smile to my face. “You know there’s a place for you here, any time, day or night. You just either ring me to fetch you or you call a cab if you need to and get here. I have money in the house ready to pay for it. You understand?”

  I nodded my head at him. “I understand. Right, what’s on the television?”

  We all pretended for a while that everything was okay, even though it was far from okay.

  The next morning, despite my mother asking me if I was sure for what seemed like a million times, my dad drove me back to Redwood Road. Despite wanting to hang around, there wasn’t really anywhere for him to park which suited me fine. I reassured him that I’d be fine and that I’d rather be alone. Well, alone with Laurel.

  I was pleased that no one seemed to see me enter the house. Just for a while, I wanted to spend time with Laurel, on our own, while I got reacquainted with the house that used to be our home, our happy ever after.

  As I opened the door, I had to give it a decent shove. Post was piled up on the floor at the other side of the door. Envelopes with handwriting were apparent. Sympathy cards. I gently kicked them out of the way while I got Laurel inside.

  “Wait there for Mummy a minute while I bring our bags in, sweetie. You stand by the window.” I got the bags off the doorstep and left them in the hallway at the side of the stairs. Gathering the mail, I brought it into the living room and threw it down on the coffee table for the time being. Walking over to Laurel and crouching down, I removed her little summer cardigan, and then her shoes, replacing those with her slippers.

  “Do you want a drink?”

  “Please. Squash. Daddy not home?”

  My confused little baby. I picked her up and looked up at her. “No, my darling. Daddy died, remember? He’s in heaven. We can talk to him in the sky and he’ll hear us.”

  Her little face crumpled up in confusion. As I walked into the kitchen with her, she announced, “Biscuit?” and just like that she’d moved on. If only I could do the same.

  Once she’d had her drink and biscuit, I put the children’s TV channel on to keep her occupied while I went around the house opening curtains and windows to let the light and fresh air in. It would only be a matter of time before Violet noticed and so I sent her a text telling her I was home, but I wanted to be alone for the day. She messaged back that she totally understood.

  The only bedroom I’d not been in was our own. I pushed open the door. Memories of finding Rob on the bed assaulted me. In a flash of fury, I began tearing off the bedding from the bed. Sweat poured off me given the heat of the day but I continued until it was all on the floor in a heap and I stood panting at the side of it. I could never sleep in this bed again. There and then I knew that I would ask Milo to dismantle it and take it away and for now I would be sleeping in my daughter’s room. She had a sofa bed. They were supposed to be for occasional use, but for now that was where I would be.

  After rinsing my face with cold water in the bathroom, I returned to the bedroom and opened Rob’s drawer in the bottom of his wardrobe. It was where he'd kept what I’d always called his 'junk'. The odd photograph, a watch that used to belong to his dad, stray buttons, certificates. Random paperwork. I lifted out the drawer and carried it downstairs.

  Of course no sooner did I do this than Laurel came nosying. I handed her the watch and she took it with her back towards the television, having realised the drawer offered no further value. I went through every item but there was nothing to indicate a secret past.

  Zoey was a vicious, lying bitch who was ruining my memories and invading my time to mourn.

  I wanted to throw something. My pulse sped and heartbeat pounded as I felt the fury grow inside me. Heat flushed through my body. But I couldn’t let any of it go. It would frighten my daughter. Instead I walked through the kitchen, and I crawled onto my knees and let out a silent scream. My jaw felt like it was breaking with the strain.

  What the fuck did I do now? I felt like I was going insane. Engulfed in grief like a strangling shroud. I needed an out. I walke
d through the side door of the kitchen that led past a downstairs toilet and out of the outer door where I sat on the steps gasping in fresh air.

  I closed my eyes and prayed to a God I’d never really bothered with before.

  What do I do?

  What do I do?

  What do I do?

  My phone buzzed and I opened it to find a message from my mum checking on how we were doing. I sent back a 'yes, we’re fine' and then huffed at the ridiculousness of it all. Staring at my phone, I had a thought. Where was Rob’s?

  Feeling motivated, I went back into the house, looking until I found it under the bed. It must have fallen there during everything. The battery was dead and so I plugged it into the charger in the hallway and I waited.

  I got busy with Laurel and decided that I wasn’t looking at it until she was in bed.

  But she wouldn’t go to bed. Wouldn’t go to sleep. Instead she screamed for her daddy. I tried to tell her over and over and over but a two-year-old couldn’t understand death; she just knew that her daddy said goodnight to her every night and tonight he wasn’t here.

  She threw herself on the floor and she stamped her feet until she’d got so hot and bothered I had to get a damp cloth for her head. With no other options, I asked if she wanted to watch some television and I took her back downstairs knowing eventually exhaustion would take her over.

  But as I put the light back on in the living room there was a click and all the house went dark. It was the final straw and as I walked into the living room with streetlights showing me the way, I sat down on the sofa placing Laurel next to me and I called Violet.

  “I’m so sorry to disturb you. I don’t know what to do. My electrics have failed. We’re in the dark.” My voice trembled as I spoke to my friend.

  “I'd send Milo, but if it's the electrics, we may as well see if Callum's in. He’ll come straight round I’m sure. Disturb me any time, you know that. Do you want me to come around?”

  “No. No. Just get Callum, please. I’d be so grateful. I just need my electricity. Things are frustrating enough.” Part of me wanted her to insist that she came around. There was no suiting me right now.