‘Never finished my degree; it wasn’t for me. I had dropped out twice by that time. I went back to Alaska, to do the salmon fishing, and I met Steph a little while after. My parents were not impressed with my life choices, still aren’t, and I can’t blame them—I’ve made a wrong turn a few too many times.’

Understatement of the year. I can’t help wondering what other bad life choices he’s made.

‘But, all in all, despite not being fans of nature and being slightly bossy culture snobs,’ he grins, ‘they’re good people. And they’ll be excellent grandparents now they have the chance.’

I’m processing all this new information. I’m part of a bigger family. My grandparents want to meet me.

‘Do they like classical music?’ I ask, wondering if that’s the reason for my father’s Mozart CD.

‘Funnily enough, my mother played violin in the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and then worked at the conservatorium; she only retired recently. They’re both big benefactors of the arts.’

Well, that’s one mystery solved at least.

‘You checked his local again?’ I hear Jaxon saying from the back seat, his phone to his ear. ‘Nobody has seen him since when? Oh … Okay. Please, let me know as soon as you hear anything.’

‘Any sign of him?’ I ask, turning in my seat to face Jaxon, although I already know the answer.

‘No. That was an old friend of his; I had his number in my phone. He says he hasn’t spoken to him in months. My dad’s been going to a bunch of new bars lately; maybe someone’s seen him. I could go ask around.’

‘Can you drive?’ I ask.

‘Yep, but no car. Hey, Adam, do you think I could borrow your car and look around? Unless you want to come with me? I’ll buy you a donut or three.’ He says it nonchalantly, but I can hear a note of desperation.

My father must hear it too because he glances at me, eyebrows raised.

I do want to spend time alone with him, but Jaxon’s in trouble. His father may be lying unconscious in a ditch for all we know.

I give Adam a nod.

‘Of course, bud,’ he says. ‘Sign us up for a couple of donuts—although we’ll have to find a vegan one for Sky, won’t we? In any case, you’re staying with me, with us, until you find him.’

‘Thanks, Adam,’ Jaxon says, relief pouring out of him.

‘But Sky and I do have birthday plans for tomorrow, so you can hang out at my place and order pizza, okay?’

‘Think I’ll go Chinese, but sure.’

I smile to myself. My father and I will finally be able to really talk properly, uninterrupted. ‘Look, we have the same hands,’ I say, putting mine next to his.