Chapter 26: Conleth Bay

Inspired from the Winter 2016 Trailer…..

The car journey to Conleth Bay was filled with a somber atmosphere. While it should have been an enjoyable trip for the two of them it was also emotional. Not only was Conleth the last place they were with their mum in her final moments, it was where Ethan wanted to go since his Huntington's symptoms had started. The day he began to notice his symptoms was a day Ethan had dreaded. Apart from Lily and Cal, he had told no one, but when it started affecting his work he had to inform the rest of his colleagues about his diagnosis. The moment he was told that he was showing the early symptoms of this dreadful disease, he knew the time he had left was limited and so he decided he wanted to make the most out of his life while he still could. So he made a bucket list. And one of the first things on that bucket list was to return to Conleth Bay one last time. To go back to the place where it all began. Wanting to make his brother happy, Cal decided to organise a little trip for the two of them to visit Conleth again. But, what Ethan didn't know was that Cal had a little surprise hidden for him when they arrived.

"Thank you for doing this." Ethan said to his brother. "It means a lot."

Cal didn't have any words to say. Instead he pulled Ethan into his side and placed a kiss on top of his head. Cal wanted to make Ethan have the best days of his life while he still could and if that meant doing everything and anything on his bucket list, then Cal was all for it. He didn't want Ethan to have any regrets. The taxi soon came to a halt. Cal paid the driver while Ethan slowly got out of the car to breathe in the sea air.

"When the time comes, will you spread my ashes into the sea?" Ethan asked as Cal came up beside him.

"Of course, Eth. But, for now let's not think about that. We've still got plenty of time left."

"I'm only planning for the inevitable, Cal."

Cal smile sadly at him. Even though he didn't like to admit it, Ethan was doing the right thing by planning ahead. He knew his brother didn't want to end up like their mum did, nor did he want to become dependent on those around him. He was, as he usually was, putting others before him. After looking out across the sea and feeling the breeze against their faces, the two of them walked slowly down to the beach.

"Last one in has to buy the drinks!" Ethan shouted out as he ran down the sand waiting for Cal to catch him up.

Their laughter could be heard as they splashed in the water. If only their mum could see them now.

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Having spent the afternoon splashing each other with the cold water, Cal decided to treat them to an ice-cream. While Cal got up to buy two ice-cream cones, he pulled out his phone and dialled a number. Smiling to himself, Cal handed Ethan one of the cones he was holding. Ethan noticed his brother's expression and got a bit curious.

"Don't tell me you've flirted with a girl?" Ethan asked, shaking his head.

Cal looked aghast.

"Why would you think that? I've been getting us ice-cream."

"It doesn't take 30 minutes to get two cones of ice-cream."

"It does when there's a massive queue."

"Cal, this beach is practically empty."

"Enough complaining and eat your ice-cream."

Before Ethan had time to argue, he felt his phone vibrate in his pocket. He took it out of his coat pocket and looked at the screen.

"Well, answer it." Cal said.

"Hello?" Ethan said into the speaker.

"Hi, Ethan. It's me, Kate from the cafe. The one who has a very low spontaneous threshold."

"Kate," Ethan replied. "It's um, good to hear from you."

"I know this may seem out of the blue, but I was wondering if you would like to meet up and grab a coffee?"

"Uh, yeah. That um, would be lovely."

"Great!" Kate replied. "I'll be there in like a couple of secs."

"Wait, what do you mean a couple of..." Ethan got cut off when he saw walking towards him was Kate.

Kate gave him a smile when she reached where he stood.

"Hi again." Kate said.

"Hi." Ethan said quietly. "How did you know I was here?"

Kate turned and indicated to Cal. Although Ethan wanted to give his brother a glare, he couldn't be angry with him. Instead he just turned back to Kate and tried to talk, but no words came out.

"I'll leave you two to it." Cal said.

Leaving the two of them alone, Cal walked away. There was an awkward a silence between them for a few moments.

"So, um how have you been?" Ethan stammered slightly.

"I've been good. What about yourself?" Kate inquired as they went off to grab a coffee.

"Yeah, good too thanks. Work's been busy, but that's nothing unusual."

There was a slight pause.

"It is good to see you again, but why did my brother phone you?"

Kate took a sip from her coffee before replying.

"He, um told me about what happened with your mother. About her diagnosis..."

"So you know how this disease is inherited?"

Kate nodded slowly.

"He um, told me about your diagnosis."

"And?"

"And what?" Kate wondered.

"You're not angry, upset or anything like that?" Ethan asked.

Kate shook her head.

"Why would I be?"

"I guess most people when they hear that someone has Huntington's their normal reaction is to kind of run away. Well, that's what I thought would happen when I told Cal about my diagnosis. I've been so used to him running away from things when they got tough, that I actually thought he would do the same when he found out that I had inherited the gene."

"But he didn't." Kate said.

"No, he didn't." Ethan agreed. "And that's made me realise how much he's changed over the years. He's never been the one to step up and take responsibility, but after everything that happened to us over the past 3 years he's become more mature. For that I am proud of him. I never thought he could change, but he's proved me wrong."

"He seems to care about you."

"Yeah, he does."

Soon the sun was setting. Kate and Ethan were having a great time getting to know each other a bit better, but it was time for them to be heading their separate ways. Before she left, Kate stopped and stood in front of Ethan.

"I've had a good time today." She said with a smile.

"Me too." Ethan replied.

"Maybe we can have dinner some time?"

"I would like that."

Kate smiled at him once more before placing a quick kiss on his cheek.

"I'll call you."

With that Kate walked away leaving Ethan looking on as she disappeared into the distance.

"Well done, Nibbles." Cal said as he slumped his arm around Ethan's shoulder. "You do have that Knight magic in you after all.

Ethan gave his brother a roll of the eyes.