her body almost bounced in the air ‘Yes, I know you’re all excited and everything, but he has asked for privacy. And I respect that. And, Kelly, I’m asking you do too. Give him a little time. He has asked to speak to me alone, and again, I respect his wishes and hope you will too. The important thing is he is safe. He was in the summerhouse loft. He hasn’t said where he was yet but…’
‘Aww I just want to see him and hug him,’ Kelly’s eyes pleaded, ‘to tell him how much I love him. That’s odd. We checked the summerhouse and the garage.’
‘He said he got there before light.’
Bob and Kelly glanced at each other. Then Bob nodded with relief spread across his face. ‘Great news. Relieved for you all. I’ll go tell Maria and the guys.’ He wrapped his arms first around Kelly then Cal.
‘Bob, I can’t thank you enough,’ Cal told him as he picked up his phone. ‘So, Kelly, I’m going back to him now, so wait for my instruction please. Actually, I’ll take a couple of cans of drink and a few snacks if you have them. I don’t suppose he’s had anything to eat.’
‘Can’t he come in and talk?’ Kelly insisted, siding up to her son Harry and clutching the refrigerator door then browsing among food items. ‘You could both go to his room.’
‘If and when he’s ready.’
‘Can I go see him?’ Harry interrupted.
‘No, Harry. You’ll have to wait. Cal, has he said why he’s hiding out?’ Kelly said gathering an armful of drinks and packets.
‘Let’s take it a step at a time shall we? Keep Harry and Bea in here. Have you got a bag for those?’
Kelly grouped the items together and then pulled out a plastic bag from a drawer handing it to Cal. She then scoured a further cupboard snatching huge bags of snacks.
‘Take these too. I really don’t know what he’s making such a fuss about. He’s bright, confident, has friends. What the hell is he worried about?’
‘I’m sure it’s just a phase. A teenage blip.’
‘Tell him, whatever it is, I’m here for him.’
With a bulging bag of food and drinks in his hand, Cal returned to the garden and into the summerhouse and climbed back up the steps. He knew Kelly’s heart was in the right place, he just wasn’t sure if she, or he for that matter, could penetrate and unfurl Jack’s inner world. His naval training had prepared him for many situations, including dealing with younger officers’ emotions. This, however, was different. He was emotionally attached himself. It wasn’t easy witnessing your own child in a dark place.
Crawling back into the loft space felt claustrophobic but he kept his head low and blew out a grateful sigh seeing Jack still wrapped in the sleeping bag.
‘Well, I may have taken a little longer but I’ve brought us some goodies. Here.’ He placed the bag down beside Jack and watched as his son’s hand scrambled inside it.
‘Cool, I’m starving.’ Jack’s voice croaked with a little more gusto as he opened a bag of crisps and scooped a handful into his mouth. He then took a can and pulled the ring.
‘Yes, your mom thought you might be. She was really worried. She cares a lot. She says she loves you and wants to hug you.’
Jack shrugged his shoulders. ‘Huh, doesn’t sound like her.’
Keeping a watchful eye on Jack, Cal took a can of cold Cola from the bag too. He pulled the ring and sipped quietly.
‘So, tell me why you don’t want to stay here.’
Jack dropped an empty bag into his lap and pulled the ring on another can of Cola.
‘I just can’t. And don’t ask me why. I don’t want to talk about it.’
‘How can I help you if I don’t know what it is you need help with?’
Finishing his second drink, Jack put down the can and gripped his hands together as he turned, slunk down and rested on both elbows.
‘You wouldn’t understand, Dad.’
Feeling the urge to straighten his back, Cal remained still and silent, just biting at his lip as Jack’s thick-lashed eyes shifted from the can to his. He swallowed hard as his chest tightened. He couldn’t recall a time when Jack had been this quiet. Usually he was bursting with energy and news with so much to tell him. Just weeks ago at the New Year party, and his birthday the day after, Jack was eager to relay his progress at school, his plans with his friends to set up a band; to be lead guitar and write his own songs. Now he appeared drained, gaunt even. Jack had clearly lost his mojo, his lust for life. Cal’s heart wept before jarring. Finally he stretched out his legs and leant on his arm facing his son.
‘Jack, let me in, tell me how I can help?’
Jack thought for a moment then raised his lashes. ‘Can I come back to England with you?’
Cal tipped his head, confused. ‘I’m not living in England any more. I’m in the south of France.’
‘Oh.’ Jack frowned. ‘You said you had found the land but I didn’t realise you moved already.’
‘Well, I moved in with Lizzie when we got back from here in January. I thought I’d told you. Well, perhaps we spoke generally at New Year, so maybe you were playing with Harry at the time. Anyway…’
‘My friend Robbie is going to live there and go to college there. He said I could stay with him.’
Cal felt a chill gush through him. ‘You’re just sixteen. That’s too young to be in London alone,’ he told him, aware his son still had a lot of growing pains to go through before he had any chance of independence.
‘I’ll be with Robbie. He’s two years older than me so I won’t be alone.’
‘Jack, I need to understand what it is you’re running away from before we can even begin to think about what you are going to do after your SATS. I’m here and happy to help whatever it is. And, I’m not here to judge. Whatever it is, it’s OK. Do you understand?’
Grinding his teeth, Jack peered up, examining his father’s face.
‘I promise I’m not a monster. I’m listening. I want to help. The sooner you get whatever it is off your chest, the sooner you can move on with your life. That will be your escape, no running off to London. We will work through your problem, nobody else’s. Yours. I’m your dad and it matters to me. Jack, I love you, and I care. Understood?’
Cal raised his arm and a flat palm for a high-five. Jack slapped it, breaking a nervous smile.
‘Good, I’m glad that’s understood. So is it just your problem or is there someone else involved?’
As frustrating as it was, Cal oozed out patience. He shifted his aching arm, lifting his body up to lean on the other arm. He didn’t want to suggest going into the house for fear of Jack blocking him out again. Jack wriggled about too though suggesting he was becoming more comfortable.
Jack cleared
