Callum’s eyes widened and he opened his mouth into an ‘O’. ‘Seriously?’ I nodded again. ‘Well the bloody old shit. Although I can’t say I’m surprised. He tends to dig his heels in until he gets what he wants. Nasty piece of work. I know he’s our dad but he’s a bastard, isn’t he?’
I tilted my head and grinned. ‘You could say that.’
‘Well, good luck, brother. Not that you’ll need it. It’s the right decision. And it’ll piss Dad off no end. Another good reason to go for it.’ He chuckled and held his hand out to me and I grasped it and shook hard as relief washed over me.
‘I think it’s wonderful too.’ Tori returned from taking Charlotte up to her cot and walked over to me.
‘Thank you Tori, I really appreciate this. I’m relieved you’re both so accepting of my decision.’ It almost felt that in losing a relationship with my father, I had gained a better one with my brother. A phoenix from the ashes, if you like.
‘That’s not all.’ I stood between my brother and sister-in-law. ‘I’ve kind of got a new hobby.’
‘Please don’t tell me it’s skydiving. I think I may cry. Post-partum emotions are great fun.’ Tori laughed.
‘No. I kind of accepted the gig as lead singer in a rock band.’
It was Callum’s turn to almost choke on his drink. He coughed. ‘Bloody hell! Seriously?’
‘Yep. We start rehearsals next weekend. They saw me singing at that karaoke club, DeBasement, in the city and, well the rest is easy to suss, I guess.’
‘Hells bells, Fin. I’msoimpressed right now. This is bloody amazing. You’re actually fulfilling a lifelong dream at last! Does Hetty know? If not you must tell her. And what have you done with shy, mousy Fin? Where’s my brother? What have you done with him?’ He laughed.
I shrugged and grinned again. ‘What can I say? They think I’m awesome.’
‘Well, you always could sing. I just never thought you’d have the guts to actually do something about it. That’s bloody brilliant, Fin.’ He grabbed me and hugged me hard.
I laughed as he slapped me on the back. ‘God, I feel like this is some weird tell all chat show. I have other news too.’
‘You won the lottery? ’Cause it sounds like you’re having a winning streak, brother.’
My cheeks heated as I realised I’d saved the best news ‘til last. ‘Ha ha, it kind of feels like it, but not literally, no. I met someone.’
‘This someone... is it a guy or a girl?’ I smiled at my brother’s question. Clearly, he was expecting it to be a day of admissions. ‘Because you know we love you and it would make absolutely no difference to us.’
‘I know that, Cal.Sheis a beautiful American girl called Star. And she’s... she’s just amazing.’
Callum clapped his hands together and laughed. ‘Don’t tell me you’ve fallen in lovefor real, Finlay Hunter?’
‘Well, it’s a bit early to say, but there are definite feelings. And I may be falling, yes.’
‘Bloody hell! I’m cracking open that bottle of Glen Carragher. This is all cause for one mahoosive celebration. Good thing you’ve got a cab coming to take you home, eh?’ And off he went to the cellar where the good liquor was stored.
* * *
After drinking too much whisky at my brother’s house, I took a cab home, and the second I walked through the door, I decided to message Star.
F: Hey gorgeous. Have had a tell all sesh with my brother and his wife. All’s good in the hood ??
I hit send and then re-read my words. I clearly had whisky brain. If only there was a way to detract text messages. A reply came soon after.
S: Hey there, handsome. So glad all is good in the hood. You do know you’re neither from ‘the hood’ nor American, right? ??
She made me smile even when she wasn’t with me. I instantly hit reply.
F: Imagine my embarrassment when I figured that out! Look I miss you. I mean really miss you. I know you’re with your grandma tonight but maybe we can meet up after my first day?
I waited for her reply. And waited... and waited. After thirty minutes, I gave up hope of receiving another message and decided her battery must have died or she was having too much fun with her gran.
Figuring distraction techniques had worked earlier, I decided to choose my outfit for my first day at McKendrick Law—it surprisingly took me less than an hour. And it felt good to know I was prepared. A little drunk, but prepared all the same.
