Everyone was silent.
Lily went on. ‘She wanted to see me sing one more time on stage,’ she said firmly. ‘We open in two weeks. Can we get her to the show?’
‘They will do everything they can,’ said Nick. ‘But she’ll be in here for at least a week, I think, and then we’ll see.’
Lily turned to Nick. ‘We have to make this show the best it can be.’
He nodded. ‘We will,’ he said as Lily looked to her parents.
‘And you can bring her, and I don’t want to hear anything about the show from you, Mum, about what’s wrong with it or why it’s not good enough for me. The people in this show are working so hard, for nothing more than putting on a great show. So come, enjoy it and I don’t want to hear a single bad thing, okay?’
Denise’s eyes were wide and she nodded her consent.
Lily stood up. ‘We have to go,’ she said to her parents. ‘We have a rehearsal tomorrow night and I am working tomorrow, but I will come and see Gran after work because I’m right near her now.’
Nick stood up with her. ‘Nice to meet you both,’ he said. ‘I’m sorry it’s under such difficult circumstances.’
Denise and Peter nodded at him and Peter outstretched his hand for Nick to shake.
‘Thank you, for everything,’ her father said.
Lily leaned down and kissed both her parents on the cheek. ‘I’ll speak to you tomorrow. If you hear anything from the doctors before me, please let me know.’
And then she turned and walked out of the hospital with Nick, no longer a child but finally feeling like an adult.
Letter
To my sweet Lily, aged fifteen,
I’m sitting at the kitchen table and writing this. Ever since you left, I’ve been thinking about your goodbye. It felt more poignant than before and I think I know that your world is so much bigger than mine and so it should be.
No matter how close you were to me this summer, I could tell your mind wasn’t always with me, in the cottage, on our adventures.
You talked about your friends so much and yet when I asked you if you wanted to go back early to see them you said no. I wouldn’t have minded. I know you’re torn between them and still being a child.
Fifteen is hard.
I know that being here, away from your friends and the boys you’ve been talking about, hasn’t been easy for you. The house was enough when you were younger. It was enough to have the yard, the walks, and the baking. Now I see that pull – the one that makes you want to go back to the life you’re making outside of here. It’s true that this summer wasn’t quite the same for you, but I’m so proud of the young woman you’re becoming.
You were torn this summer between the slow, peaceful days at the farm and the fast-paced, fun life you had with your friends back home. I could see it in the way you’d sit in the garden and look at the trees. Your mind was somewhere else, but I know you were trying to be present here and that was so sweet. You don’t owe me anything, Lily. You have shown me more love than twelve grandchildren. I’m excited for you and what’s next for you because you’re becoming an adult and finding out who you are.
With all the fun that comes with being fifteen, there’s nothing wrong with wanting to be where the action is with your friends. You should have a great time and enjoy every second of it as we are only young once. Also, don’t forget that it’s okay to slow down every once in a while. After the busy life you have now, the house may seem quiet. But there’s something special about that quiet that I hope you’ll remember even when you’re not here.
You’re at an age where everything is exciting and new, where friendships are strong, and where feelings are strong. I’ve seen how happy you get when you talk about your friends and how much you care about them. They care about you and share your laughs and secrets. You’re lucky to have them in your life. My friendships in this village are everything to me.
I’m so proud of how much you’re growing up, my love. There is a lot to see and do in the world ahead of you. You have a big heart, and I’m sure you’ll enjoy every trip that comes your way. Also, don’t forget that you can come back here if you need to. You will always have a connection to Pippin Cottage. It’s in your heart and soul. Even if you don’t come back as often as you once did, it will be here whenever you need to remember who you really are.
With all my love,
Gran
30
As Lily entered the cottage, she was struck by a deafening silence. Everywhere you looked, Gran’s absence was like a physical slap. No glasses on her table, no music playing, no paper half read. Gran’s little but imposing figure typically inhabited the armchair, but today it seemed empty and abandoned. The quiet room was filled with the loud echo of the old clock on the mantel, which had formerly provided solace as background noise but now seemed like a timpani.
She noticed Mr Mistoffelees sitting on Gran’s armchair. ‘She won’t be happy seeing you there,’ said Lily with a false enthusiasm as she walked through the room and opened the back door. As she watched the sun set, Nick cleaned up the mess the paramedics had left in the living room and put the rubbish in the kitchen bin and tied up the bag.
‘I’ll take this out and then head off if you want,’ said Nick to Lily.
