Page 13 of The Forever Cottage

‘Hello, darling! And we miss you too, but why on earth are you worrying about us? We’re dandy, aren’t we, Tess? We had a super lunch of quiche and salad earlier, a gin and tonic and a good old putting the world to rights session. Then we sat out in the garden for the afternoon. We’ve just had a sandwich and some cake, and soon I’ll be heading home. The only thing that was missing was having you sat at the table, but this is the next best thing.’

‘Oh Grandma, do you know the thing I miss the most, apart from you two, of course? It’s Mum’s cooking, especially a Sunday roast: tender beef, crispy roast potatoes, cauliflower cheese and her legendary Yorkshire puddings! Goodness, it’s making my mouth water just thinking about it. I’ve been telling Billy all about them!’

‘Ah, Billy! And your mum has been telling me all about your new friend. I hear you’re travelling together now.’

‘Yes, honestly, I don’t know what I would have done without him. He’s so lovely and kind and thoughtful.’ She put her hand up to the side of her mouth and whispered, ‘He’s pretty hot too, and carries my bags when they get too heavy.’ She giggled, her eyelashes fluttering involuntarily. ‘Do you want to say hello?’ she said with a big grin on her face, her gaze glancing sidewards.

‘You bet we do,’ said Tess. ‘Is he there?’

‘Yes! Billy, come here and say hello to my mum and grandma.’ Hannah reached out a hand and pulled a young, good-looking lad with blond, sticky-uppy hair into the frame, who was looking tired and bemused. She wrapped an arm around his waist and the pair of them beamed at the camera.

‘Hey, Mrs Alexander, Grandma, great to meet you!’ he said with a casual salute and a beguiling confidence, his words delivered in a charming Irish lilt.

‘Hello, Billy, we’ve heard so much about you. All good! We’re pleased Hannah has found a new friend to accompany her on her travels.’

‘We’re having a great time,’ said Billy with a lazy smile. Tess could see why Hannah might be so besotted with the young man who had a natural and easy charm.

They chatted some more before Billy made his excuses and left and Hannah gave a squee of delight, clearly proud of her new friend, or boyfriend, as Tess thought more likely, although she didn’t like to probe too much. This was a time of freedom and independence for Hannah, and as long as she was happy and well then that was the most important thing for Tess.

‘Grandma, you must tell me honestly,’ Hannah said, deadly earnest now. ‘Is Mum really doing okay?’

Tess’s eyes widened and she flashed an alarmed look between her daughter and mother.

‘I am here, you know!’

‘I know, but it just hurts me so much to think of you being alone in the house without Dad. I still can’t believe that he’s done this to you.’

‘I know, but I’m not alone, am I? I have Barney and an endless string of visitors.’

In truth, Tess had been wholly grateful to all her friends and neighbours who had rallied round to make sure she wasn’t alone for long, bringing flowers, cakes and bottles of wine, but sometimes she liked to close the front door of Hollyhocks Cottage behind her and sit alone with her thoughts. There were times when the tears flowed and for that, she was grateful that Hannah was away so that she could give into that emotion, to get it all out of her system. Until the next time.

‘Your mother is absolutely fine. There’s no need for you to worry. I’m keeping an eye on her. Or rather, she’s keeping an eye on me.’

‘It’s just sometimes, you look so sad, Mum.’

Tess thought she’d done a pretty good job at hiding her pain from Hannah, but clearly not a good enough one. She plastered on what she hoped was a convincing smile, catching a glimpse of herself in the on-screen camera. It was true, she looked tired and wan, and she resolved in that moment to make more effort with her make-up and hair. Perhaps she needed to speak to Dilly and take her up on the offer of a makeover.

‘I have been sad, but that’s only to be expected. It wouldn’t be normal if I wasn’t, but it won’t be this way forever. There’s a part of me that will always love your dad. We had some very happy times over the years and of course made our best ever joint production together: you!’

‘If you’re sure.’ Hannah exhaled a big sigh. ‘When I wake up in the morning, there’s a moment when I think that everything’s okay, as it always has been, and then I remember what’s happened and it hurts me all over again. It must be the same for you, Mum?’

‘Yes, but it’s happened now and I’ve just got to get on with it,’ she said in what she hoped was an upbeat tone. ‘Whatever’s happened between me and your dad doesn’t change our relationship with you, though. We’re still your parents; we still love you dearly.’

‘Oh Mum, but can’t you see it changes everything! I’m sorry. I know it’s not your fault, but it won’t be the same coming home and not having you both there. I’ve already told Dad that I don’t want to meet his stupid girlfriend.’ Her bottom lip stuck out involuntarily, reminding Tess of six-year-old Hannah. ‘He’s gone and ruined everything.’

‘Well that’s up to you, darling but don’t think that you have to avoid meeting Melody out of a sense of loyalty to me. As for you coming home, it won’t be the same, but that doesn’t mean it won’t be just as special.’

‘Exactly!’ agreed Marjorie. ‘You still have us and we’ll find a new way of doing things without your father, only it will be much better. Sunday lunches, birthdays, Christmases. Our family occasions don’t stop just because Charles won’t be around and let me tell you, he will be the one missing out!’

Tess felt grateful for her mum’s positivity and, judging by Hannah’s expression, she too was buoyed by Marjorie’s words.

‘Oh, I can’t wait to see you both. I’m sure everything will seem so much better when I can get to hug you all again. And I suppose Christmas won’t be far away then. Maybe I can bring Billy home with me too?’ she said wistfully.

‘Well you know he would be very welcome,’ said Tess, realising in that moment how torn Hannah must feel between the excitement of her new adventure with her new boyfriend, and the drama going on at home. Tess and Hannah had always been close, but she would never want to be a burden to her daughter. Hannah needed to live her own life without worrying what her mum was doing back at home.

‘Really? That would be amazing! Not that I’ve asked him yet. I don’t even know if he would want to come, but Ireland’s not that far away, is it? And honestly, I can’t bear the thought of leaving him behind.’ Hannah’s happiness radiated through the screen and Tess’s heart twisted at her daughter’s vulnerability, so transparent even across the thousands of miles that separated them. ‘Perhaps I will ask him and see if he wants to come!’ she said, growing ever more excited with every word that she spoke. ‘I’ll keep you posted!’

‘Yes, do,’ said Tess, brightly, quashing a sense of unease and hoping with every cell in her body that the charming, good-looking man she’d met briefly for the first time today wouldn’t end up breaking her daughter’s heart.

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