An Unlocked Mind (Secrets #2)(56)

Rob stared. “Fift—you like keeping me on my toes, don’t you?”

Vic winked. “It’s in my job description. Now, load the dishwasher, get ready, and we’ll be off.”

Rob pushed back his chair, took a last mouthful of toast, and collected the dishes from the table. In spite of having to hurry, excitement bubbled up inside him.

What will today bring? He couldn’t wait to find out.




“SO, ARE you going to tell me where we’re going?” Rob stared through the windscreen at the traffic lined up in front of them. “That’s assuming we ever get to wherever it is.”

Vic laughed. “You can be a cheeky little sod, do you know that? And to think I was about to say this was a reward for you doing so well with your meditation.”

A pang of guilt speared through Rob. Not as well as you might think. The meditation had helped, for a short while. He found himself not getting angry quite as much or as often. Sure, he still got annoyed, but then he thought back to Vic and the film, the smile on his face, and it brought him a measure of peace.

Until that peace seeped away, to be replaced by more nagging doubt.

“I think today we’re due for a change of scenery. Somewhere we can breathe and take in the beauty all around us.”

“I thought that’s what your Zen garden was for.”

Vic grinned. “Funny you should say that. I’m taking you to the place that inspired my garden.”

Rob had to admit, that didn’t sound particularly exciting.

“Did you pack the sunscreen like I told you?”

Rob rolled his eyes. “Yes. And I wore my stoutest trainers. What are you planning, a hike?” He grinned to himself. “Unless the sunscreen doubles as lube, and you’re taking me off into the deep, dark woods.” That got his heart racing.

“Hmm, tempting thought.” Then Vic chuckled. “Sorry, deep, dark woods sound like they have too many pointy bits, and I like my body puncture-free. And does your mind always default to sex?”

“Only when it’s been a while since I got laid,” Rob muttered. He couldn’t recall the last time.

“I see.” Vic fell silent for a minute or two, his attention focused on the road ahead. “Although I should point out that using sunscreen as lube is a monumentally bad idea. There are chemicals in there that could burn if they got inside your body.” He glanced across at Rob. “For future reference.”

Even though he felt sure Vic was being funny, Rob knew he’d said it because he cared. It felt good to know that someone was worried about him.

When Vic took the next turn off the main road, Rob glimpsed the sign. “Kew Gardens?”

“Have you ever been there?” Vic asked him.

Rob shook his head. “It was never on my list of top ten places to see before I die.” His cheeks grew warm. “I’m sorry. That was rude, especially after you told me this was an important place for you.”

Vic said nothing, and Rob’s chest tightened. I’ve hurt his feelings.

“The fact that you apologized immediately tells me a lot. The Rob I met all those weeks ago wouldn’t have done that.” Vic’s tone was warm. “And I’m hoping this new-and-improved Rob will see why this place is so special. Because maybe he sees things in a way the old Rob never could in a million years.”

It took a moment for Vic’s words to sink in. He believes in me.

Minutes later they were in the car park and Vic was switching off the engine. “Sunscreen, now, because otherwise you’ll forget. It may be late March, but that sun will still burn you if you’re out in it long enough.”

Rob nodded and reached into his backpack for the tube. He was determined to enjoy the day, because Vic deemed this place important.

So what if I get bored? We’re out of the house, it’s a lovely day, and I can leave my worries behind me for a few hours. Rob could feign interest for a few hours, for God’s sake.




ROB STARED out over the canopy of trees, the whole of the gardens stretched out all around them as they gazed down from the treetop walkway. “This is beautiful!” He could see the roof of Kew Palace, the sunlight glinting on its glass panels. In another direction, a pagoda rose up majestically, and farther off was the glass roof of the Palm House.

“It is, isn’t it?” Vic pointed to the lake near the Palm House. “Would you like to walk around it later?”

“Yes, that sounds great.” Rob had never felt so relaxed. “You were right, you know. This is a wonderful place.” It was no lie. There was something about the gardens that seeped into him, a peace that pervaded his whole body, bringing calm to his inner chaos.

Vic was right. This was exactly what Rob needed.

They’d been in the gardens for four hours. Time enough to walk through the greenhouse and gape at the huge water lilies, to walk under the rose pergolas, to admire the hive, a huge structure constructed of wire and light…. Rob could see why Vic loved the place.

He glanced at Vic, who had walked ahead a little, and the sight made him catch his breath. The sun glinted off Vic’s bald head, and his face glowed in the warm light that bounced off the pale walkway. A jolt of electric current zipped through Rob. He’d seen Vic more times than he could count, but this was different. The strength in his arms, his body, the way his face lit up when he gazed at the landscape, awed by it….