Claude said nothing for a while. His voice had come through the silver thread from so far away, halfway across the world, that it sounded like it was coming through a seashell. Then he said, We need to tell Colin.
We are, Andy said. Tonight.
Colin was already back at The Belle when Andy finally reached for him.
The line stretched between them, familiar and warm. Andy hesitated before touching it. He had never deliberately reached for Colin like this before.
Lads? Colin's voice came through almost at once. Is something wrong? Is it yer mam?
No, Andrew answered. She's asleep. It's about our father.
The silence on the other end was so sharp that Andy felt it prickle along his arms.
"Go on," Colin said at last. His voice had gone rough, and the Highland burr in it was thick. "Tell me everything, lads. No' half. Everything."
Andy looked at Andrew. Andrew nodded.
So Andy began.
