I Wouldn't Mind Dying With You - Longlost
It quickly became apparent to Nathan that he had made a mistake staying in Brighton. The morning after Nicole had left for London, life had resumed to normal in the town. Luke had departed for work and Leo was helping a friend out with repainting their old house, leaving Nathan, his mother, Hayley and little Alfie in the desolate house with nothing really to do. Nathan had stayed to avoid the silence in his empty apartment, but he was left with an even bigger void. Hayley hadn't said much throughout the day; she had simply sat on the opposite sofa, watching whatever Nathan was on the television.
Nathan passed the time by watching reruns of Top Gear on Dave, checking his phone every now and then for an update from Nicole. He regretted letting her leave so badly; his mind was numb without the stimulation she sparked within him. He found himself wandering about her leaving for tour for the first time, and his chest became heavy. A day without Nicole was a struggle, never mind a whole month. Was the tour going to be what caused the split? Nathan realised the thought was ridiculous and cursed at himself quietly. Their relationship had only just begun and he was already speculating the end.
At around one o'clock Alfie was put to nap, Nathan's mother finally stopped faffing and sat beside Hayley on the sofa. The circles under her eyes had darkened since the last time he visited, the lines in her skin more apparent. Sure, in front of Nicole she had acted as chirpy as ever, but as soon as she left her demeanour had changed. Alfie was tiring her out, that was for sure. However there was a lot more going on in the background than Nathan initially thought.
'I think...it is time we talk,' she had spoken up. Hayley stayed silent, whilst Nathan shuffled uncomfortably.
'What's there to talk about, Mamà?' Nathan's eyes didn't divert from the television, his voice stern. 'He's dead, that's it, I'm sure Bethany can deal with the funeral expenses with the empire he's left in her name.'
Nathan wasn't sure why he disliked Bethany so much. She was one of many women that his father had had relations with, but she was the woman who finally tamed him. They had married not too long ago, though Nathan didn't remember much about it as Hayley was the only one who attended. Hayley had spoken very highly of Bethany; it seemed like she was trying to be a motherly figure to the youngest of her husband's children. Nathan saw how quickly his mother's face had dropped when Hayley mentioned Bethany, so he had told Hayley not to speak of Bethany again.
'Nath,' Nathan had looked over at his sister once he had heard her voice. The look on her face was one of sorrow. 'Beth can't do this on her own, she's already dealing with too much.'
'What do you mean?'
Hayley sighed deeply. 'Dad didn't die of alcoholism.' Nathan watched, confused, as his sister's lip begun to quiver, her throat beginning to contract. 'He...he killed himself, Nath. Beth found him in the garage with the car running.'
It didn't make any sense to Nathan. Mitchell Ledford had been the biggest arrogant, self absorbed piece of shit that Nathan had met in his entire life; he was too conceited to do that to himself. Though, maybe he was so narcissistic that the only death he would be satisfied with was one conducted by himself.
'Why would he do that?'
Hayley had begun to cry, their mother had pulled her into her chest, stroking her head softly.
'Beth's pregnant.'
That, Nathan could believe. He felt sick, he was so disgusted. Though perhaps it was a good thing, his half sibling wouldn't have to deal with the trauma that came with having Mitchell Ledford as a father.
