2007

Michael didn’t know how that happened. One moment he’s a loser and a math nerd that some don’t know the name of and others avoid. And next one he’s a boyfriend of the youngest of Catton’s siblings.

It happened innocently really. Same math class, then stolen glances on dinner when you were sitting next to your brother Felix and your cousin Farleigh — and he first with Oliver then alone. Then were kisses in the library when no one was looking. Hiding from your brother and his stupid friends in the Oxford’s parks or dates is cafes.

But now? Now he was standing in ‘his’ room in Saltburn of all places. Spending his summer with your family and you in your estate. How did that happened? Oh yes, he didn’t want to go back home for summer, worried about his nagging and overprotective mother and non existent father. And you fixed it all but also caused him more distress than he ever experienced.

Why won’t you come with me? Come to Saltburn

So he was here now. Standing in the bedroom that looked like a king could sleep in it. Oh right, you actually had a bed of a king. And many other things. Portraits of dead relies on the long gallery, maze in the garden, dining room in a size of his whole house.

How. Did. That. Happen?