This love (Teacher/Student)

Chapter 22

EDITED 

We stayed outside for a while until Emma came sprinting out the back door begging to be played with. I couldn't help my smile as I watched him pretend to have tea with her at the table built for children.

I could see how much they loved each other, and it melted me with every laugh.

Eventually, Anne came to call us back in for dinner. Kevin sat at one end of the table while his wife sat at the other. Simon, Jess, Sammy and Rick lined one side while me Daniel, Emma and Amy lined the other.

After Kevin had finished carving the chicken and glasses were all filled, conversation started flowing but I couldn't help my eyes drifting the place setting with no occupant. Daniels arm had fallen on the back of my chair but as he saw my eyes wander, he let out a deep sigh and sat back, bringing his wine to his mouth.

I already hated whatever had changed his mood so I rested my hand on his thigh with a smile. After a few seconds, he turned to me and forced his own smile.

His father had obviously seen the tight interaction. "Anna, why did you sat that place?"

The response came from Amy. "I set it." She said quickly. I looked back to the plate, catching the awkward glances of the other guests at the table. "I really thought he would be here." I turned back just in time to see her direct her attention to Daniel. "Have you heard anything?"

Daniel swallowed his mouthful of wine and sat forward again, picking up his knife and fork, beginning to cut into a roast potato. "No. Excellent roasties mum." He answered and diverted in the same breath.

"If he was going to talk to anyone it would be you." Amy continued, much to Daniels distress as he dropped his cutlery on his plate and turned back to me, swining an arm back around my chair.

"Are you alright? Do you need anything? Water, napkin?" Too confused to respond I just shook my head. "Mum, did Haylie tell you..."

Before he could say more, Kevin's voice stopped him like a leash around his neck. "Don't ignore your sister." He ordered. "She's just worried about your brother."

My eyes fell back to Simon who, like everyone else had his eyes on his plate.

Daniels jaw clenched as he turned back to Amy. "No. He hasn't."

When Simon still didn't flinch, understanding filled me as I turned to the other place setting, removing my hand from his thigh. "You didn't tell me you had another brother."

I wasn't sure if it was a question or a statement, but Daniel just picked back up his wine. "No. I didn't." He said a little loudly as he took a gulp, swallowed, all without looking at me. "Let's move on. You know now."

Kevin obviously, like me, didn't like the tone he had taken on. "Daniel." He warned.

"What?" He shrugged. "T isn't here as usual. I haven't heard from him. What else needs to be said?" Instead of responding, Kevins eyes drifted to me and on queue Daniel turned back to face me. But with my mix of emotions, I had to look away and back to my plate. He let out a deep sigh. "I'm sorry." I looked back up but realised he wasn't talking to me. "I'm sorry Amy. If I hear anything you will be the first to know."

Amy forced a smile and nodded in acceptance. He turned back to me again, an apology in his eyes but I simply shook my head as a sign to leave it. For now.

After a few minutes of silence, Rick forced the table back to conversation. I accepted the invitation to Simon and Jess' wedding in three weeks, but it was hard to focus on anything other than that place setting. And the fact Daniel had lied to me. Again.