Page 80 of Lela's Choice

Giovanni Vella hadn’t known she’d flown home. Thirty minutes after Hamish had told Sophie and seen the shock of disbelief on her face, he’d found himself telling the old man via video-link that Lela was on her way home alone.

Sophie had gripped Peter’s hand while speaking to her grandfather. Her explanation hadn’t differed much from her position the day before. She was safe, well, sure of her own mind, and would spend her eighteenth birthday in Malta. More permanent decisions would wait until after that.

If Hamish hadn’t already worked out the central importance of Lela to her family, that stilted conversation via the internet would have made the point. Lela’s absence had left them largely struck dumb, and he had little stomach to fill the gap. Especially as his sense of loss matched theirs.

“I’ll send messages via social media, Nannu.” Sophie made the concession Hamish had recommended. “And emails, just for you.”

Vella said nothing. Hamish had never met him, but it seemed he’d aged in the ten minutes it had taken for the call.

“I love you, Nannu,” Sophie whispered, blowing a kiss at the screen.

Hamish waited for the old man to respond, and after thirty long, silent seconds, acted. “We might wrap it up now.”

“Inhobbok hafna, Sophia.”

He’d give Lela two hours. Two hours to get home from the airport and talk to her father. Then he’d call.

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SHE PICKED UP THE PHONEon Hamish’s first ring.

“Hello, Hamish.” She was calm, freezing him out.

“How’s your father?”

“Shell-shocked is probably the best description. He kept repeating that she’s staying there. Are you calling to say she’s changed her mind?”

“She’s here until her birthday. No commitments beyond that.” He closed his eyes to better picture Lela. “Your absence shook her.”

“Not enough to call me,” she said flatly. “Papa mentioned emails?”

“She’s promised to write to him. She told him she loved him.”

“Thank you for that.” She was gracious, and he hated the distance politeness and thousands of kilometres reinforced. “You said you’d be a bridge. That will help them.”

“Sophie was crying when they finished. Vella told her he loved her in Malti.”

“Papa doesn’t say the words often enough.”

Hamish hadn’t given them to Lela at all, but he had to believe he’d made the right decision, otherwise he’d go crazy. “I’ll see you both when I get back.”

“That’s not a good idea. Talk to Papa, but you don’t need to talk to me,” she hesitated. “Do you think she’ll come home?”

“There’s a chance. She’s missing you both already, but no guarantees. She needs to make a point.” He’d almost forgotten the point he was trying to make.You’re safer without me. Right. Who cares that I’m no longer whole without you?

“I appreciate everything you’ve done and are still doing.”

“Miranda.” He gentled his voice.

“I’d better get back to Papa. Goodbye, Hamish.”

* * *

LELA WALKED BACK INTOthe living room and a sudden silence. Her brothers had come home with Papa, and Aunty sat in her chair near the window tatting lace. Aunty was the only vaguely normal element in this room. A closer look showed her hands weren’t as steady as usual. Papa was veering between rage and despair, pretty close to her own state of mind. Her brothers exchanged a look, then turned to her. Their stares said, “Can’t you fix it?”

“Was that Sophia?” Papa demanded.

“We were positive you’d bring her home.” Joseph, her oldest brother, was asking a different question.Why didn’t you stay? What the hell’s going on?

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