Then Edith lifted her own lantern, the flickering light reflecting in her eyes. She pressed a hand to her heart and whispered, ‘I dedicate this lantern to the girl I used to be — for all the fears, the doubts, and the moments I felt lost. Thank you for holding on. Thank you for being stubborn. Thank you for leading me here.’
She placed the lantern carefully among the others, feeling a quiet sense of closure and renewal, as if the act itself had stitched together the past and the present.
When all the lanterns had been dedicated, a hush fell over the gathering. Rosie stepped back from the circle and moved towards where Cariad sat with her harp. Then, the haunting notes of ‘Medhel an Gwyns’ drifted into the evening air.
Goosebumps prickled along Edith’s arms despite her warm coat and jumper, and Wyatt tightened his grip on her hand. The melody seemed to swirl around them, carrying memories of those they had lost, of times gone and times still to come.
As if joining in with the music, the wind whispered, tender and gentle, gathering the voices of loved ones and sending them floating across the sea.
When the song ended, people wandered away from the fire. Some went back to the village, while others gathered in groups to talk. Wyatt and Edith stayed where they were, gazing into the fire.
She watched the flickering flames, seeing faces and figures, memories she’d gathered in her heart and mind across the years. Wyatt was quiet for a while, and she didn’t disturb him. She knew he was thinking and remembering too, and it was important for him to have this time.
Finally, he turned to her and held her gaze. The fire seemed to flicker in his eyes and she felt breathless at how beautiful he was and at the depth of her feelings for him.
‘Edith,’ he said, placing his hands on her shoulders. ‘I want to thank you for everything you’ve done for me since our paths crossed again. It’s been a rocky road, but I wouldn’t change it for the world. I’ve learnt so much about myself and my childhood, and I’m in a much better place now. You have been patient and kind, and incredibly understanding as I’ve worked throughthings, and I love you so much for it. I loved you anyway, but your strength, courage and resilience have helped me to find my own.’
He blinked then sighed softly. This was hard for him, but he was getting so much better at expressing himself.
‘I know now that what happened to Parker wasn’t my fault,’ he continued. ‘I was a young child. The guilt was horrific, and it was, perhaps, easier for me to accept it as my burden because that helped me to deal with the accident. My parents were responsible for my safety and Parker’s, but they were neglectful, and they should have shouldered the burden of his death, not placed it on me. The therapy is helping me to accept that and to accept that it’s OK to feel sad.’
He inhaled deeply then sighed.
‘I even felt that allowing myself to grieve was something I didn’t deserve and that hindered my healing. But finally, I can accept that I am entitled to feel sad, to grieve for my little brother and to let go of the guilt. It was not my fault that I survived and Parker didn’t. I’ll keep going to therapy, keep learning and keep healing because I know it’s not a linear process. This is my promise to myself and to you.’
Edith nodded, her heart brimming over with love for this wonderful man.
‘This evening, Edith, I have something to ask you…’
Edith gazed up into his face. All her fears and reservations about loving him had fallen away and she wanted to give him everything she could.
‘Ask me,’ she said.
‘Will you… are you prepared to be by my side as I continue? I completely understand if you’re not. It’s a lot, I know, and I wouldn’t blame you if you wanted to remain friends.’
She smiled, reached up and placed her hands on either side of his face.
‘Yes. I do want to be by your side as your friend. But… I have loved you since I learnt what love is, and I want to be so much more than your friend.’
He smiled, his eyes glistening. ‘Thank goodness for that. I don’t want to go through life without you.’
‘Nor I without you.’
He slid his hands from her shoulders to her waist and pulled her close to him. Heat seared through her body. Longing enveloped her heart. She wrapped her arms around his neck and smiled at him as he lowered his head to kiss her.
‘You deserve the world, Edith,’ he said when he gently pulled back to meet her gaze. ‘I want to give it to you.’
‘And so do you, Wyatt. You deserve to be happy and to have peace.’
‘I love you.’ He kissed her lips, her cheeks, her forehead.
‘And I love you.’ She kissed him back.
‘Shall we go?’ he asked, his voice filled with hope.
‘Yes. Let’s go back to mine.’
He had extended his rental of the cottage in the village but spent a lot of time at her cottage. Not the nights, because they’d beentaking things slowly, but she had a feeling that was about to change.
