Page 95 of The Holiday Cottage

“Life.” Dorothy wiped her hands and turned to look at her daughter. “I’ve decided you’re right. I do take too much responsibility for Tina’s choices. And you’re also right that I make far too many excuses and allowances for her. I owe you an apology for that.”

Sara’s expression softened, and she reached out and touched her mother’s arm. “You don’t owe me anything.”

“Yes, I do. The truth is Tina behaved badly and hurt an awful lot of people, including you and Imogen. I should have acknowledged that a long time ago. Accepted it as a fact, instead of always blaming myself.” Instead of feeling responsible, she felt sad. Family life might not always be easy, but it offered so much, and Tina had rejected that.

If Sara was surprised, she didn’t show it. “What caused this change of heart?”

“I couldn’t stop thinking about the fact that she told Imogen such terrible lies. That we didn’t want her.” It had played on her mind. “She chose to deprive Imogen of wider family.” And the only person responsible for that decision was Tina. “It’s a testament to Imogen’s maturity that she chose to believe what we told her.”

“Yes. She doesn’t shy away from the truth, however difficult.” Sara hesitated. “I owe you an apology too. I gave you a hard time over Imogen. I was scared that building a relationship with her was the wrong thing to do, but it wasn’t. You did the right thing, Mum.”

“I’m glad you think so. It could have gone the other way, of course, if Imogen was a different type of person. This could have been much more difficult.”

“I suspect she has had rather too much practice at handling the difficult.”

“Yes. Do you think Imogen will get in touch with Tina? Challenge her on it?” It was another thing that had been worrying her. That Tina might do something to damage the fragile shoots of this new relationship.

Sara’s expression was neutral. “I don’t know. But I think just as we have to accept Tina’s choices, we have to trust and accept Imogen’s. I don’t think she has any illusions about what Tina is like.”

Something about the way she said it made Dorothy think that she and Imogen had exchanged more than small talk on their trip to the forest.

But that was between them. It was important that Sara and Imogen forged their own relationship, and if that had already started to happen, then she couldn’t have been more delighted.

“I’m sure you’re right.”

“Hopefully, Imogen has the strength to make her own decisions and choices about what is right for her no matter what pressure, if any, Tina puts on her. I think she does.”

“Yes.” Dorothy lifted the casserole out of the oven. “At least now she knows the truth.”

Maybe as a parent you didn’t have anywhere near the influence you thought you had. You raised your children the way you believed to be best and taught them right from wrong, but after a certain age their decisions were their own. And sometimes all you could do was accept things the way they were, and not waste time wishing they were different.

Imogen was here now, about to have a meal with the family, because she’d made a choice. Her own choice.

And it sounded as if she had been making all her own choices for a long time.

“How did she get on with Miles?”

Sara raised an eyebrow. “You’re not interfering, are you?”

“Definitely not.”

“Good. Because as it happens, Ralph is all the matchmaker those two are going to need.”

“In that case I shall forgive Ralph for hiding my slippers the moment he came into the house.”

And at that moment, Imogen appeared in the doorway, Ava by her side.

“Do you need more helpers?”

Delighted that she wanted to join in, Dorothy took the plates out of the oven where they were warming. “You can tell everyone to wash hands and head to the dining room. We’re ready to eat.”

“It smells delicious.”

Ava reached for Imogen’s hand. “Nanna is the best cook.”

“I’ve heard that. I’m looking forward to dinner.”

“Christmas is the best,” Ava said. “You will be here on Christmas Day, won’t you, Imogen?”

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