The Love List. Eve Devon

his plan? ‘Would she stop Ryan from seeing Daisy?’ he asked.

      ‘Absolutely not. Like I said, it was always more that Ryan was never particularly interested in seeing Daisy, and Sephy has always believed you can’t force people to love their children,’ she paused and he could see those little cogs of hers whirring and turning. ‘But, surely he doesn’t want Daisy to visit as part of his recovery programme? I have to tell you now that there’s no way I’m going to help you persuade Sephy to allow that. Daisy is way too young to be introduced to her father for the first time in a rehab facility.’

      ‘Relax. That’s not why I wanted to see you,’ he paused and then decided he might as well lay everything on the table. ‘Ryan is going to need somewhere to stay when he’s completed his programme.’

      Nora gaped. ‘You can’t be serious.’

      He had to hand it to her. She caught on quick.

      ‘I’m very serious. I don’t want him living back where he’s been, there’s too much temptation around, too many old friends willing to suck him back into that lifestyle. What I would like is to set him up with a house and a job in Heathstead. I know your sister still lives there. Ryan wants to change. He’s doing all that he can do to change. I figure, give him an environment where the possibility of making a fresh start somewhere familiar is more tempting than the old life he’s working so hard to distance himself from, won’t hurt.’

      She leant back in her chair for a second, an assessing look on her face. ‘Have you actually run this past Ryan? Or is he simply another hop on the “Ethan Love Rescue Tour”?’

      His fingers tightened against his glass. ‘You think I like playing the hero?’

      ‘Oh, I’m pretty sure I know you do.’

      He took a couple of moments to ensure his breathing evened out. ‘Whatever. This is about my brother. He asked for my help. There was no way I wasn’t going to step up and do everything I could to make it possible for him to lead the life he wants to, not the one he’s been addicted to. He and I have had some pretty tough conversations lately and I know he doesn’t want his addiction to rule his life any longer.’