‘We’re only there at weekends,’ I said, still in shock.
‘That explains it, then.’ Violet nodded, cradling a baby in a puffy snowsuit against her chest.
‘Why are you here?’ I asked, because it still wasn’t any clearer.
‘To find you!’ Beanie squealed, clutching her grandad Gabe’s hand. Most of her face was hidden by a giant bobble hat, but I couldn’t believe how much she’d grown.
‘We’re probably going to miss our plane now, but Grammie said we all had to come or you wouldn’t listen to her,’ Jack added.
‘Is an adult going to fill Emmie in, or are we leaving it up to my kids to convince her?’ Lily asked.
‘Feel free to explain everything,’ Blessing replied.
Lily shook her head. She looked gorgeous in an A-line, turquoise coat and matching boots, her dark hair gleaming.
‘It’s not up to me. Emmie knows how much I love her. It’s for Pip, Ma and Da to put the rest of us out of our misery by making this right.’
‘Philip?’ Rosemary asked, tentatively.
‘No, Ma.’ He went over and took her hand, drawing her closer to the food truck. ‘If you say what you need to first, the rest of you can still catch the plane. I can follow on later, if Emmie is kind enough to spare me a few more minutes.’
‘Right.’ Rosemary straightened her hat, tugged at the belt on her matching jacket, pulled up her handbag strap and tried valiantly to look at me.
‘Shall we find somewhere quieter?’ I asked, dying to get this over with as quickly as possible so she would go, and I could hear from Pip.
‘No.’ Rosemary straightened up. ‘They all know why I’m here. Which is to tell you that, you see… I’m sorry.’
‘Okay.’Was that it?
‘I behaved abominably.’ She stopped, screwing up her face as though holding back a sneeze, before shaking her shoulders and pressing on. ‘Appallingly. There’s not much more to say, really. I was consumed with some sort of jealous madness. But I’m on medication now, and having lots of help. It’s working. I haven’t spiked anyone’s milk jug in months.’
She gave a weak laugh, which was greeted by a grim silence. ‘Too soon?’
‘Yes, it’s too soon,’ Violet gasped.
‘Anyway, what I needed to explain, apart from how sorry I am, is that if you came back, looking to spend more time with Philip, I won’t stand in your way.’
‘Rosemary.’ Gabe spoke for the first time, his tone sharp enough to make me flinch.
‘What I mean is, you would be very welcome. I would very much like the chance to get to know Nell’s daughter properly. We can talk about it, about her, if you like. Or not, if you don’t. Stay for a holiday – we’ll cover the cost. Or forever. I completely respect and support whatever you decide.’
‘Okay, that’s probably enough, Ma,’ Pip interrupted, glancing at me for confirmation.
‘Um. Thank you,’ I said, grateful for the hatch imposing some distance between us while I tried to think. ‘I appreciate you coming here to tell me that. And I’m sorry you’ve been unwell.’
‘Thank you,’ Rosemary said, face scrunching up again. ‘That’s very gracious of you.’
‘What time’s your flight?’ Blessing asked pointedly.
All the adults quickly checked their phones and watches.
‘We can just about make it if we run,’ Violet said.
‘Is that…?’ Gabe asked me.
‘Yes. Please go.’
And so, in a flurry of kisses from the sisters and children, the briefest of introductions to baby Colin, a wink from Gabe and firm nod from Aster, they bundled back in the minivan and disappeared as quickly as they’d arrived.
