We both know we can’t go on like this. The day Noah died, something died inside me too and I need a fresh start. My solicitor will be in touch about dissolving our business partnership and our marriage. The last 6 months have been hell so let’s not prolong it. Please go along with it for both of our sakes.
Mel
Tears burned my eyes. It sounded so cold but that was how I felt at that moment. Cold, distant, detached. With a shaky sigh, I walked out of the kitchen, locked the front door and posted my key back through the letterbox. It was over.
23
PRESENT DAY
Over the years, I’d often wondered what might have happened if Flynn had ignored my plea and fought to save our marriage. That thought was front and centre right now as I gazed out of my bedroom window back at Willowdale Hall, my eyes resting on the boat house in the distance. Hubert Cranleigh had made some whopping mistakes and so had I and we’d both hurt people badly.
I dug in my jeans pocket for the piece of paper Flynn had given me outside The White Willow earlier. An email address and mobile phone number were written on it but nothing else. Should I agree to talk or was it too late? What was it he’d said.Clear the air?What did that mean? It could be anything from agreeing to say hello if our paths crossed to a deep and meaningful dissection of everything that had happened in the past. I wasn’t sure which I wanted it to be but, with Mum’s news earlier, I wasn’t capable of the latter at the moment.
There was still no update from my parents but Dad had said they would need space to process things whatever the news. I needed to get on with some work so I went over to my desk, placed Flynn’s contact details and my phone down on it and cracked on with my first task for the day.
A couple of hours later, Dad rang.
‘It’s not cancer. They said it’s a fibroadenoma. It’s not as common in women of your mum’s age as someone younger, but it happens. They don’t really know what causes it.’
‘Does it need treatment?’
‘No. It should gradually go down and will eventually disappear.’
That was fantastic news, but Dad had presented the information in an almost monotone voice. I’d have put it down to tiredness after what had to have been a trying week, but something told me to question it.
‘You don’t sound as positive as I’d have expected. Is there something else?’
He sighed and I could imagine the scene – him looking across at Mum for her permission to say more.
‘Your mum had a funny turn while we were at the hospital.’
‘What sort of funny turn?’
‘Out of breath, heart racing. It could have been any number of things including a panic attack, but we’re going back to the doctor next week for some tests.’
‘Is Mum okay now?’
‘Yes. She’s relaxing on the sofa reading and she says you’re not to worry about her. We think it’s best if we have a quiet weekend as we’re both feeling drained after the holiday then rushing around this week, but that doesn’t mean we don’t want to see you. How about Monday or Tuesday?’
Tuesday worked better for me so I suggested I pick up something for lunch so neither of them had to go to any trouble. I hoped Mum’s funny turn really was down to a combination of fatigue and worry and nothing more concerning. For now, I’d do my best not to overthink it and focus on the relief that she didn’t have breast cancer to contend with.
Placing my phone back down on my desk, my fingers brushed against Flynn’s contact details. We did need to talk but one ghost at a time was enough for me. I knew Georgia was working on Saturday but we’d all agreed to skip family lunch on Sunday as Keira and Regan weren’t around. Hopefully she hadn’t filled her diary.
To Georgia
You know you said you’d come with me to The Bothy whenever I’m ready? Would Sunday work for you? x
From Georgia
I’m all yours, whatever time suits. Maybe combine it with a walk in Whinlatter Forest and a drink and cake in the café? x
To Georgia
Sounds perfect. I’ll pick you up at ten x
24
March had arrived with a warm, sunny weekend filled with the promise of spring. I picked up Georgia on Sunday morning as planned. It felt a bit cheeky parking outside The Bothy or even elsewhere in the close, so we parked at a wide point on the approaching farm track.
