CHAPTER 13
Kane explained ,gently to Kirsty what her father had
done.The two men had decided on this , figuring Kane would get through to her
more easily.It showed a lot of trust that Rhys let Kane explain , and he wanted
to do it in a way that would help heal the rift between father and daughter , not make it worse.Kirsty's happiness was
always foremost in his mind , and he always felt guilty that he was responsible
for that rift.
He explained how out of character it was for Rhys to do something like that And how something good had come out of it in that at least Rhys now had a hold of his anger and was seeking help for it.He got
Kirsty to see that it was a golden opportunity to heal the hurt in the family ,
An opportunity not to be wasted.And if
Kirsty could still love him after what he did to Dani then surely she could
still love her father.But most of all ,Rhys was genuinely sorry , they all knew
that. Kirsty listened and when Kane had finished speaking , she said
"You're right , it is an opportunity for us to pull together
as a family and support my dad.But they should see that you have changed , that
you're not the monster they all thought you were.They should thank-you for
insisting that all the charges against dad were dropped and just let us get on
with each other without judging us both the whole time." "But when they see that you're happy and that Dani can cope
with us being together , the rest will follow Kirsty , don't ask too much of
them.Just be happy that your family are giving you a go.What they do or don't
think about me isn't important. I don't expect them to ever accept me. It
doesn't matter , Kirst, my own family didn't care about me , it's a bit much to
expect yours to!Go and see your dad , tell him you love him , that's all he
wants.You don't have to agree on everything else , just make the first step."
Kirsty knew he was right , just as her family had been
unable to change her feelings towards Kane , she could not change theirs.But if
they were willing to acknowledge that he was not totally evil and had some good
qualities , she would ask nothing more.
She went to see her dad.
.Rhys was so pleased to see her , he was desperate not to put his foot in it
, and spoil the visit.Kirsty asked him outright - did he still hate Kane , did
he wish he had died?
. "No I don't hate him
like I did.It was like a cancer eating away inside me.I still hate what he did
, but you are right he has changed a lot.He had an opportunity to sort himself
out, he created that opportunity himself , he had no help , and that has to be
admired.He adores you and would die for you , that is his most redeeming
feature , I know he would never deliberately hurt you.But there is his past.His
assault on your sister , my daughter, I don't know if I could ever truly forgive
that .Also the way his dodgy past keeps coming back to haunt him , will he ever
be truly free of it , it makes me
afraid for you Kirsty.I know that you love him , that it's not just some
teenage crush , but I'll be honest I expected better for you.Someone from a
nice family, who we could all like .I know that that is just wishful thinking ,
but one day when you have kids of your own , you'll understand that all you
want is what's best for them.I won't stand in your way though , or make it hard
for you.And I want you to know that I will always love you and be there for
you."
"Thanks dad , I love you too.I hope that one day you will
grow to forgive Kane and accept him , but I know that that's not going to
happen at the moment.But if you could just kind of not glare at him so much and
let people know that you are O.K with us being together it will make life a lot
easier for me."
Rhys laughed, "OK I promise not to glare and to be civil to
him if we meet .Is that allright."
"That's great dad!"said Kirsty and gave him a big hug.
Next day when Kirsty was in school Rhys went to see Kane in
the hospital.He wanted to show Kirsty that he was making an effort and he
genuinely wanted to thank Kane.Although the whole rift had been caused by the
relationship , Rhys knew that Kane must have really pleaded his case to Kirsty
for her to forgive him.
Kane was lying in bed feeling very bored.He hated being
stuck in doors .Rhys came in and it was obvious that both men were clearly
still uncomfortable in each others presence , but both put up with it for Kirsty's sake.When Rhys got his "thank-you"
out of the way , he backed Kane up against the tyrannical nurse on duty who
didn't think that Mr. Phillips should be constantly going outside.Kane confided
in Rhys that he couldn't stand being stuck in doors , it was almost a phobia ,
nowhere to run and hide he reckoned , stemming from his childhood.Rhys insisted
he was more than capable of ensuring Kane's safety to the hospital garden and
stood up for him against the nurse.Surprising both himself and Kane!The
atmosphere between them lightened and while they were not totally at ease with
each other there was a definite improvement ,
and Shadow , as usual , was overjoyed to see Kane.Rhys
marvelled at the little dog's loyalty , staying at the hospital all this time,
if only human relationships could be that simple.
Kane was allowed home a few days later and Irene who had had
Kirsty staying in Hayley's old room insisted that Kane came to stay too.He was
to have the downstairs room, since he was still very weak.At first he protested
, he didn't want to put anyone to any trouble , he wasn't used to people
looking out for him and it made him feel uncomfortable.But Irene insisted.
" Listen Darl," she said"I heard the docs say you were to rest for at least two weeks and then take it easy for another two.It's too much for Kirsty to take on. .We don't want you winding up back in that hospital.They're only letting you out so quick because
you told them there were people to help you.So unless you do as your told and
come and stay with us , I'll tell the docs you were lying and they'll keep you
in longer."
That threat was enough to make him agree!So they all went
back to Irene's.
Nick was less than thrilled to have Kane staying , but
managed to be almost civil to him.Kane felt awkward being helped out like this
, it was not something he was used to , and tried to be as little trouble as
possible , always insisting he was fine , even when it was obvious that he was
feeling tired and in pain.Kirsty and Irene both saw through him and insisted on
him getting plenty of rest.
The next morning everyone headed off for school, Irene had
arranged everything close at hand for Kane , but he felt really restless and
knew he had to get out for a little while.Luckily Alf dropped by (on Irene's
instructions) and he agreed to take Kane to the diner before he went
stir-crazy.
Alf busied himself at the diner , occasionally stopping to
chat to Kane.He was , despite himself , growing quite fond of him.Kane really
admired Alf and often wished he had had a father like him.Alf missed Duncan ,
but the thing that really drew Kane and Alf together was the fact that Alf
could drone on about boats and fishing to his hearts content , knowing that
Kane was just as obsessed as he was.People had generally tolerated listening to
Alf's boating and fishing tales , because they liked him, but Kane was
genuinely interested and enjoyed listening to Alf's stories.
Kane was just starting to feel very tired and wondering
whether to risk going home on his own rather than bother Alf , when into the diner came trouble - in the form of the bay's most arrogant and conceited character-Posh Josh West.
Kane explained ,gently to Kirsty what her father had
done.The two men had decided on this , figuring Kane would get through to her
more easily.It showed a lot of trust that Rhys let Kane explain , and he wanted
to do it in a way that would help heal the rift between father and daughter , not make it worse.Kirsty's happiness was
always foremost in his mind , and he always felt guilty that he was responsible
for that rift.
He explained how out of character it was for Rhys to do something like that And how something good had come out of it in that at least Rhys now had a hold of his anger and was seeking help for it.He got
Kirsty to see that it was a golden opportunity to heal the hurt in the family ,
An opportunity not to be wasted.And if
Kirsty could still love him after what he did to Dani then surely she could
still love her father.But most of all ,Rhys was genuinely sorry , they all knew
that. Kirsty listened and when Kane had finished speaking , she said
"You're right , it is an opportunity for us to pull together
as a family and support my dad.But they should see that you have changed , that
you're not the monster they all thought you were.They should thank-you for
insisting that all the charges against dad were dropped and just let us get on
with each other without judging us both the whole time." "But when they see that you're happy and that Dani can cope
with us being together , the rest will follow Kirsty , don't ask too much of
them.Just be happy that your family are giving you a go.What they do or don't
think about me isn't important. I don't expect them to ever accept me. It
doesn't matter , Kirst, my own family didn't care about me , it's a bit much to
expect yours to!Go and see your dad , tell him you love him , that's all he
wants.You don't have to agree on everything else , just make the first step."
Kirsty knew he was right , just as her family had been
unable to change her feelings towards Kane , she could not change theirs.But if
they were willing to acknowledge that he was not totally evil and had some good
qualities , she would ask nothing more.
She went to see her dad.
.Rhys was so pleased to see her , he was desperate not to put his foot in it
, and spoil the visit.Kirsty asked him outright - did he still hate Kane , did
he wish he had died?
. "No I don't hate him
like I did.It was like a cancer eating away inside me.I still hate what he did
, but you are right he has changed a lot.He had an opportunity to sort himself
out, he created that opportunity himself , he had no help , and that has to be
admired.He adores you and would die for you , that is his most redeeming
feature , I know he would never deliberately hurt you.But there is his past.His
assault on your sister , my daughter, I don't know if I could ever truly forgive
that .Also the way his dodgy past keeps coming back to haunt him , will he ever
be truly free of it , it makes me
afraid for you Kirsty.I know that you love him , that it's not just some
teenage crush , but I'll be honest I expected better for you.Someone from a
nice family, who we could all like .I know that that is just wishful thinking ,
but one day when you have kids of your own , you'll understand that all you
want is what's best for them.I won't stand in your way though , or make it hard
for you.And I want you to know that I will always love you and be there for
you."
"Thanks dad , I love you too.I hope that one day you will
grow to forgive Kane and accept him , but I know that that's not going to
happen at the moment.But if you could just kind of not glare at him so much and
let people know that you are O.K with us being together it will make life a lot
easier for me."
Rhys laughed, "OK I promise not to glare and to be civil to
him if we meet .Is that allright."
"That's great dad!"said Kirsty and gave him a big hug.
Next day when Kirsty was in school Rhys went to see Kane in
the hospital.He wanted to show Kirsty that he was making an effort and he
genuinely wanted to thank Kane.Although the whole rift had been caused by the
relationship , Rhys knew that Kane must have really pleaded his case to Kirsty
for her to forgive him.
Kane was lying in bed feeling very bored.He hated being
stuck in doors .Rhys came in and it was obvious that both men were clearly
still uncomfortable in each others presence , but both put up with it for Kirsty's sake.When Rhys got his "thank-you"
out of the way , he backed Kane up against the tyrannical nurse on duty who
didn't think that Mr. Phillips should be constantly going outside.Kane confided
in Rhys that he couldn't stand being stuck in doors , it was almost a phobia ,
nowhere to run and hide he reckoned , stemming from his childhood.Rhys insisted
he was more than capable of ensuring Kane's safety to the hospital garden and
stood up for him against the nurse.Surprising both himself and Kane!The
atmosphere between them lightened and while they were not totally at ease with
each other there was a definite improvement ,
and Shadow , as usual , was overjoyed to see Kane.Rhys
marvelled at the little dog's loyalty , staying at the hospital all this time,
if only human relationships could be that simple.
Kane was allowed home a few days later and Irene who had had
Kirsty staying in Hayley's old room insisted that Kane came to stay too.He was
to have the downstairs room, since he was still very weak.At first he protested
, he didn't want to put anyone to any trouble , he wasn't used to people
looking out for him and it made him feel uncomfortable.But Irene insisted.
" Listen Darl," she said"I heard the docs say you were to rest for at least two weeks and then take it easy for another two.It's too much for Kirsty to take on. .We don't want you winding up back in that hospital.They're only letting you out so quick because
you told them there were people to help you.So unless you do as your told and
come and stay with us , I'll tell the docs you were lying and they'll keep you
in longer."
That threat was enough to make him agree!So they all went
back to Irene's.
Nick was less than thrilled to have Kane staying , but
managed to be almost civil to him.Kane felt awkward being helped out like this
, it was not something he was used to , and tried to be as little trouble as
possible , always insisting he was fine , even when it was obvious that he was
feeling tired and in pain.Kirsty and Irene both saw through him and insisted on
him getting plenty of rest.
The next morning everyone headed off for school, Irene had
arranged everything close at hand for Kane , but he felt really restless and
knew he had to get out for a little while.Luckily Alf dropped by (on Irene's
instructions) and he agreed to take Kane to the diner before he went
stir-crazy.
Alf busied himself at the diner , occasionally stopping to
chat to Kane.He was , despite himself , growing quite fond of him.Kane really
admired Alf and often wished he had had a father like him.Alf missed Duncan ,
but the thing that really drew Kane and Alf together was the fact that Alf
could drone on about boats and fishing to his hearts content , knowing that
Kane was just as obsessed as he was.People had generally tolerated listening to
Alf's boating and fishing tales , because they liked him, but Kane was
genuinely interested and enjoyed listening to Alf's stories.
Kane was just starting to feel very tired and wondering
whether to risk going home on his own rather than bother Alf , when into the diner came trouble - in the form of the bay's most arrogant and conceited character-Posh Josh West.