Page 149 of Seven Letters

‘We all have,’ Adam said.

‘Yes, but you most of all. You must look after yourself. Izzy needs you.’

‘I know. I’ve started sleeping a bit more and my appetite is slowly coming back. I feel slightly more human.’

Mia smiled. She knew how he felt. She’d begun to sleep and eat again. Not much, but things were slowly improving. ‘We’ll miss you.’

‘You’ll miss Izzy.’ Adam smiled wryly.

‘We’ll miss both of you. You will come back, won’t you?’

‘Yes. My business is here, and Izzy’s family is here too. But we’ll try to spend a month or two in Canada every summer, if we can. I’d like Rob to see more of Izzy. I want him and Ellen to be involved in her life, too.’

‘Of course, and I’m sure Izzy will love it. We’ll be dying to hear all about it.’

‘Izzy’s made me promise to Skype you every Sunday and I’ll send you photos and videos too.’

‘Great, I’d love that. So would Riley.’

Adam pulled his hands out of the pockets of his trousers. ‘Look, Mia, I’m sorry about –’

Mia held up a hand. ‘You have nothing to apologize for. You were in Hell. You wanted to save your son. I get it. We all get it. I probably would have done the same in your position.’

‘But I treated you and Charlie badly and I’m truly sorry for that.’

‘It was an impossible situation. You’re a great dad, Adam. Izzy is lucky to have you.’

‘I mess up every day. But I’m trying. I can make good pancakes now, so that’s a start.’ He tried to smile, but his face crumpled. ‘God, I miss her so much.’

Mia hugged him. ‘I know you do. She adored you. You made her so happy.’

‘I was so lucky to have her in my life.’ He sobbed.

‘We all were,’ Mia said.

Adam pulled back slowly. ‘Look at us. Sarah would be delighted to see us getting on so well. She always wanted us to be closer.’ He smiled through his tears.

Mia laughed. ‘She’s controlling us even from the grave.’

‘Daaaaaddyyyyy!’ Izzy raced into the room.

Adam quickly wiped his eyes. ‘Yes?’

‘Look what Riley got me.’ Izzy held up a huge Beanie Boo owl.

‘Wow.’

Riley came in after Izzy.

‘Thank you, Riley. I’m not sure how we’re going to fit it into the case, but thanks.’

‘I knew she wanted it, so …’

Mia knew they cost a lot of money. While Adam and Izzyadmired the owl, Mia turned to Riley. ‘That was really thoughtful, love, but how …’

‘I sold my guitar.’

‘Oh, Riley.’

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