Page 38 of Stoney Gazes for Helpful Gorgons

Grandma puts her hand on his arm. "You know what he's like, he didn't tell us when he was first dating your mother either," she says to us. "Though this time perhaps he was right not to. It's not even been a year."

I nod.

"She's at the house all the time," Eddy says. "And she cooks me things she knows I won't eat."

Grandma purses her lips so hard that I think they're going to disappear completely. I knew she wouldn't be happy about this, but her expression is even worse than I feared it would be.

"We never talk about Mum," I add. "I don't feel like I can around him. But Eddy's dealing with the worst of it." Mostly because I get to be at Obscure Academy and don't have to worry about anything going on at home. Though I will in another month once term ends. I'm not looking forward to it, though at least it'll mean I get to spend more time with Eddy.

"I see," Grandad says.

"We don't really know what to do." I look down at my tea but don't drink any of it, I don't think the churning in my stomach could take it.

"Of course you don't, you're barely grown," Grandma says kindly, but I can hear the steel in her voice. "Leave it with me, dear, we'll have a talk with your father."

"You know, I could use help at the caravan in Wales over the summer," Grandad adds.

"I think that's an excellent idea," Grandma says. "If the two of you would like that?"

Eddy nods enthusiastically, and I just manage a weak smile. I guess I'm worried that this isn't going to do much to make things better. But only time will tell on that front. At least this conversation means I'm no longer the responsible adult when it comes to the situation as a whole.

"Thank you," I whisper.

"Of course, dear. We're here for whatever you need," Grandma assures me with a gentle pat on the arm. Despite her anger at Dad, she's making her love for us clear.

There's a part of me that wants to cry just from her reassurance, but I also want to hold it together.

"And if you ever want to talk about your mum, we're here," she says. "She may not have been our daughter, but we knew her for nearly thirty years, we've got our share of stories about her if you want to hear them."

"I do," Eddy says, scooting forward in his seat and completely abandoning his phone. He's been so starved of attention that the first hint of it has got him like this.

"Why don't we take you boys out for dinner tonight and we'll do just that," Grandad suggests. "Where's good around here?" he asks me.

"It depends what you want. There's an Italian just down the street," I respond.

"I want garlic bread," Eddy announces, already heading to the door with Grandad following behind.

I pick up the mugs, grateful to see that all of the ones except for mine are empty. At least everyone else is faring better.

"You did the right thing calling us," Grandma says.

I give her a weak smile. "I wish it felt like that. I feel like I'm betraying Dad."

"You're not. He's betraying himself and the love he shared with your mum by doing what he is." Her words are soft, but I can feel a hint of sadness behind them. Probably the realisation that her son is the one doing this. "I promise it'll all work out all right. You've got us in your corner now."

"Thanks, Grandma."

"Always." She reaches up and cups my cheek in her hand, her doting smile making me feel like a kid again.

Which is probably just what I needed after everything that's been going on. Even though nothing has changed yet, I can feel a weight lifting from me in knowing that everything is heading in the right direction.

I set the mugs down in the sink. If any of my flatmates complain about me not washing them yet, I'll point out that they're all terrible at it themselves.

"Come on," Eddy says, poking his head around the doorframe. "I want to tell you about Jack's girlfriend."

I groan.

Grandma raises an eyebrow. "A girlfriend?"