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‘But why? It takes what? Two and a half hours by train? It’s a day trip’

Polly smiled A little self-consciously ‘It’s silly’

Gabe turned to look at her Noas intrigued; what on earth made Polly Rafferty blush in embarrassment?

‘I can keep a secret’

‘I know’ She winced ‘You already know far too ive you any more’

She had a point It was odd, knowing things not even her brother knew Tied theether in a way that wasn’t as unwelcome as it should be He should even the score, make them equals

Gabe turned his concentration back to the road ahead, navigating a tight bend before answering ‘That’s fair How about I tell you two of mine and then you answer?’

She leant back in her seat and considered ‘They have to be es you have never told anyone’

‘Okay’ He took a deep breath Gabe was a businesset ahead A little stretching of the truth here, taking a gaal—more a prevarication

But he couldn’t prevaricate here; Polly was right He did owe her a secret or two

He just had so ht be nice to let one or two of thehten the load

Gabe concentrated on the road ahead, his hands gripping the steering wheel so tightly his knuckles hite ‘When I was ill I hated my parents so much I couldn’t even look at them when they came to visit’

He heard her inhale, a long, shuddering breath But she didn’t protest or tell him he must be mistaken ‘Why?’

‘Because they hurt so damn much Every needle in my vein pierced them twice as hard, when I retched, they doubled over My illness nearly killed theht, so badly that when I slipped back I kneas failing them My illness failed them’

He could feel it again: the shaer that they needed hi when it was alht, to stay alive for them

‘They must love you a lot’ Her voice was a little wistful

‘They do And I love the for yourself in that situation, single-minded Their need distracted me Added too much pressure’