Page 47 of Forgive Me Not
Emma was just about to introduce Stig when Gail looked up and gasped. She got to her feet. Tears had sprung to her eyes. Her bottom lip trembled.
‘You’re back! You’re back! I’ve missed you so much,’ she said eventually, and made her way forward.
Stig looked at Emma, who turned to Andrea. She shrugged and shook her head.
‘I knew that knock on the door with bad news was wrong.’ Gail wrapped her arms around Stig. ‘No one believed me when I said you were still alive.’ Her face broke into a smile and she looked at the others. ‘Uncle Paul is the strongest swimmer I know. And the best cake-maker. Dad’s going to be so happy he’s home.’
Chapter 16
Andrea bustled forward. ‘I must apologise,’ she said, gently removing Gail’s arms from around Stig. ‘My mother’s a bit…’
Gail glared and hugged Stig again. ‘You’re just jealous because me and Uncle Paul are so close. All those weekends he visited and I learnt how to make Victoria sponge and shortbread.’ She beamed at Stig. ‘Remember that cross-stitch certificate I made you once? Dad helped me spell out the words to say you were the best navy chef ever.’
Andrea reached out again but Stig patted Gail’s arms. ‘And you were the best cookery student,’ he said.
Emma’s throat hurt. Gail looked the happiest she’d been since her return.
‘What a lovely necklace,’ he said, and slowly extricated himself from her embrace.
Gail blushed. ‘Princess Diana gave it to me,’ she whispered. ‘I met her years ago. We were good friends. But don’t tell anyone.’ She jerked her head towards Emma. ‘The woman who talks too much might steal it. I used to have lots of lovely necklaces. Now I can’t find any of them.’
Stig removed her arms, which had once again wrapped around him. ‘I need a shower before anyone gets that close.’
Gail pulled a face. ‘Yes. You do smell a bit. And your nails need a clean. What happened to your head?’
‘How about we chat to Uncle Paul later?’ said Andrea. ‘He must be tired. And it’s time for your tea.’
Gail stared for a moment and then her expression became vacant. ‘Yes. Yes, it’s time for tea.’
Bligh took her into the kitchen.
‘And this was exactly what I wanted to avoid,’ said Andrea, and frowned. ‘New people confuse her. We’re very lucky she didn’t get upset instead.’ She glanced at Stig. ‘But thank you for playing along. It’s the kindest way.’
‘No problem. Me and Emma have seen it all on the streets. Eventually you learn just to roll with it.’
People like Mad Hatter Holly. Or Tony, with his depression. Smelly Stan from under the bridge who couldn’t remember where he grew up, or Big John who swore he was related to Bruno Mars.
He raised an eyebrow. ‘I take it her uncle died whilst serving in the Royal Navy?’
‘The Falklands,’ said Andrea. ‘He was on HMSSheffield.’
‘It got sunk?’ asked Stig.
Both sisters nodded. Gail had talked about her uncle Paul a lot over the years. He’d never got married, nor had kids, and had seen her more as a daughter than a niece.
‘I can see why she made the mistake,’ said Andrea. ‘I’ve seen photos and Uncle Paul had thick brown hair like yours. Plus he loved dogs.’
‘Perhaps I should go.’ Stig bent down to stroke the Duchess. ‘I don’t want to make things worse.’
She paused. ‘No… no, it’s all right. You’re only going to be here a couple of hours. You can have a wash in the barn if you like. Emma can get you a towel. Right. I’d better get Mum’s tea on. There’s lemonade in the fridge,’ she added abruptly and headed back inside before either of them could thank her.
Emma proceeded to give Stig a tour, though her thoughts soon strayed. Bligh had seemed upset about her pregnancy. Was it possible that he still cared? And did Mum’s comment about her stealing the necklace mean that Gail was beginning to make a connection between the woman who talked too much and the old version of her younger daughter?
Stig petted the rabbits and lifted the mended trampoline into the goats’ enclosure. Both he and Emma laughed as the animals jumped on and off it. He helped feed the chickens and marvelled at the tranquillity as they sat under the weeping willow.
‘It’s beautiful here,’ he said as they returned to the barn. They sat in the deckchairs outside, eating cheese and tomato sandwiches.
‘I know, and I never appreciated it before, believing a more glamorous setting would somehow make me a better, more attractive person.’ Emma didn’t realise back then that it was the internal scenery that counted most.
