Chapter 42 Finn

• The moment Cleo had opened that door it had been so hard not to rush to her. Tell her how sorry I was for acting the way I did. Try to fix things. Because, no matter how she may say things were okay, I had a feeling they weren't. But, my Mum was by my side. I didn't need to be explaining everything to her right now. There was far too much going to add additional complications. And watching Cleo as we walked into the house, I could see all my girl needed was a hug. She was struggling...
• But, I think, given that she had just lost her Grandpa, that was understandable. They were a close family, and her Grandpa meant a lot to her. Plus, I knew Cleo, she would struggle to see her Mum battle with the grief of losing her Dad too. I just desperately wanted to be there for her. Yet, I could hear Cleo making her excuses to my Mum about what was wrong, and I couldn’t help but wonder if there was something else bothering her. She didn’t seem herself, and while I understood grief affected everyone in different ways, something didn’t sit right with me.
• I was glad when she agreed to make me a coffee, as it gave my Mum the opportunity to make her excuse to leave and head to the hospital to meet Aunt Lilah and Uncle Knox. Cleo walked into the kitchen, quickly busying herself with the coffee machine sitting upon the worktop. She seemed to be avoiding my gaze. Her body language was a little defensive, which only confirmed my initial fears she wasn't happy with me.