‘Well, that was quite a performance,’ Cameron’s voice was calm, cheerful almost. ‘I don’t believe a word of it, by the way.’
Pete stared pointlessly out the passenger window. He’d tried to keep a mental tally of turns and intersections, but he’d quickly lost count as they sped through town.
‘You’re one of the most methodical people I know. You don’t misjudge altitudes. You don’t get distracted. That’s not you.’
Pete thought they were near the supermarket, but he couldn’t be sure. Cameron could be taking him anywhere.
‘And you’re not suicidal either. That’s the gossip around town, in case you’re interested. That you never got over Mum’s death. Did something stupid in a moment of madness.’ Cameron made a hard left and Pete was jolted painfully into the car door. ‘Of course, you and I both know how quickly you did get over her, so we also know that’s bullshit.’ The car thumped over a speed bump. ‘Although I’m not against you topping yourself. Just in case you were thinking about it.’
They’d never had a great relationship, but this was a new low. ‘Cameron.’ Pete braced his arm against the glove box and his shoulder screamed. ‘Slow down.’
‘So the question is, why are you lying?’ Again, the casual tone, as though they were discussing the cricket. ‘Were you drunk? Was that it? It didn’t sound like much alcohol to me, but maybe you were topping up from the night before. Or sleep deprived, from a night of shagging. Your dick getting you into trouble again. Is that it?’
‘I’m a widower, Cameron. If I was having a relationship it would be none of your business.’
‘It is when members of my family die. This is becoming a trend.’
They were on the highway, Pete could tell that much. There were more cars now, moving faster beside them. He could try to signal, but what good would that do? He wouldn’t be able to see if anyone even noticed. The car shook as they weaved from lane to lane. ‘Cameron, slow down.’
They came to a screeching halt on the hard shoulder, and Cameron leaned across him. There was a shock of hot air as the passenger door popped open. ‘Don’t like my driving? Think you can cope on your own? Get out then. Let’s see how you manage.’
The noise from the highway traffic was dizzying; the open passenger door flapped violently each time a car flew past. Pete grabbed hold of it, tried to pull it back one-handed so it wouldn’t be blown off. God, he was the one who’d taught the boy to drive.
‘Didn’t think so.’ Cameron leaned over and wrenched the door the rest of the way in. ‘You should be pleased I’m here to give you a lift,’ he said, as he started the engine. ‘I can remember one evening when you couldn’t be bothered.’
‘I know how upset you still are about your mum’s death, Cameron. And I understand. You two were incredibly close. But I wasn’t responsible for it, no matter how much you like to think I was.’
‘You were responsible for us not being there. Me and Lincoln, not just you. We never got to say goodbye.’
‘I made a mistake. One I’ll never forgive myself for.’ They weren’t heading north, Pete could tell that much from the sun streaming in the side window. Where was he taking them? ‘But you need to forgive me, if only so you can move on. You’re the one it’s damaging. You’re the one who’s suffering here.’
‘Like Mum suffered, thinking none of us cared about her?’
‘You know that’s not true.’
Cameron pulled them off the highway with a shriek of rubber and a blare of outraged horns. ‘What I know isn’t true is what you told old Arthur back there. I know there’s more to this. And if you killed my brother because you were out all night, or up late on the phone to your girlfriend, or messaging her while you were flying, or doing anything at all that would have clouded your judgement, believe me, I will find out.’
He’s just an angry young man, Pete reminded himself. A messed- up kid. He doesn’t really mean you harm. Pete sat on his hands so Cameron wouldn’t have the satisfaction of seeing them shake. ‘Cam, where are we going?’
The car was moving slower now, along country roads. Pete could hear livestock, the low rumble of tractors.
‘Cameron, please. Can you just take me home?’
Cameron laughed, tapped a jaunty little beat out on the steering wheel. Never thought I'd see the day the day when it was you begging me to take you somewhere.’ He turned on the radio, soulful country music about driving through a hungry little town at midnight. ‘We’re going to my hotel, Dad, so I can grab my bags and check out.’
Pete let himself relax, just a little, into the worn vinyl of the passenger seat.
‘And then I’m coming home with you.’