‘There wasn’t that sort of money, I don’t think. She was left some by her parents and she used to open the gardens throughout the year and make some money that way. I don’t think she was rich but I don’t think she was poor either.’
Amanda listened, thinking of Diana, and knowing if she had fallen pregnant at a young age, like Diana, her mother would have helped her, whatever decision she made.
‘Do you know when she had the baby?’ she asked Helen.
Helen frowned. ‘She was eighteen, and I was a year older than her. In 1963, it must have been.’
Amanda held her breath.
‘Yes, the May of 1963. I can’t remember the day though. When was your mum born?’ Helen asked.
Amanda heard her words but couldn’t believe her ears.
‘May 20th, 1963,’ she said aloud.
Helen looked as shocked as Amanda felt. ‘Well then, I think you might be on to something.’
Amanda was silent, her mind flying with ideas, conversations to have with Diana. It felt chaotic yet it all made sense.
‘Why wouldn’t she just tell me? Why did she do all this elaborate cover-up?’ Amanda asked.
Helen shrugged. ‘You don’t know what the truth is yet – it’s all guessing right now. But you need proof before you go accusing her of anything. And remember, Diana was very broken after what happened. I don’t think she’s ever recovered. You can’t assume you know what it was like for her.’
Amanda listened and nodded in agreement.
‘Whatever happened after she had that baby broke her. So be careful in whatever you do next.’
‘You’re a good friend, Helen,’ Amanda said, missing Lainie more than ever at that moment.
‘I know, and she was to me also. Just because we don’t see each other now doesn’t mean I don’t care about her anymore. She was my best friend. That never stops, not even after death.’
Amanda thought about her mom as Helen spoke.
‘Some people just understand you more than others. It can be a friend, a husband, a sister or a brother, but once you have that, it never goes away. Diana and I were that for each other.’ She smiled at Amanda. ‘Like your mum. I reckon she’s with you every moment.’
‘I hope so,’ Amanda said.
‘A big adventure like this that you’re having? Of course she is,’ Helen stated.
‘A big adventure. I like that,’ Amanda said.
‘That’s all it is, love, and when you think of it like that then life is much easier. Trust me, I’ve been around long enough to know.’
32
Simon
‘So there was a baby?’ Simon asked as Amanda opened a bottle of wine he had brought with him.
‘Yes, born the same month and year as my mom, so I really need to get the adoption papers. But I chickened out when I went to submit the application,’ Amanda admitted as she poured them each a glass .
Simon reached out for his wine and Amanda winced.
‘Wow, that’s a terrible scratch,’ she said, turning his arm over and looking at the length of the wound.
‘From a nasty vine. Can’t remember the name but it got me well and good,’ he said. ‘But it’s just a surface scratch.’
Amanda looked closely, her fingertips on his skin. ‘Did you wash it?’
