Page 110 of Right Place, Right Time
‘Yes, that’s right,’ Adam says in awe.
‘You look a little like him,’ Dotty says, smiling. ‘Just around the eyes. And you’re just as handsome as your great-grandfather was.’
Adam looks pleased and slightly embarrassed at the same time.
‘There was nothing between Archie and I, of course,’ she adds. ‘Only friendship. Your great-grandfather was a fair bit older than me. He was more like a father figure to me than anything else.’
‘Of course,’ Adam says, as though the thought never occurred to him.
‘And you,’ she says, turning to me, ‘are my great-granddaughter, Eve.’ For the first time since she arrived, Dotty’s calm, almost clipped voice softens as she says my name.
‘Yes, I am.’
‘Your grandmother was my Sarah …’ Dotty’s stoic expression suddenly changes and her face softens too. ‘My baby.’
She wobbles a little and Adam immediately rushes forward.
‘Here, have a seat,’ he says, pulling one of the wooden chairs out for her.
‘Thank you, dear boy,’ she says, sitting down after smoothing her skirt carefully underneath her first. Then she reaches into the little velvet bag that’s been hanging over her arm and pulls out a clean white handkerchief with a delicate lace frill around the edge. She dabs at the corners of her eyes.
‘Would you like a cup of tea?’ Adam asks.
Dotty looks like he’s offered her the world. ‘Oh, my goodness, would I? I haven’t had a good cup of tea for … well, for far too long.’
‘Will you be all right?’ Adam asks me. ‘If I pop upstairs and put the kettle on?’
‘Of course,’ I say. ‘Tea is a great idea.’
‘I’ll be right back,’ he says.
Adam heads out of the door and I hear him climb the stairs.
‘Come sit next to me, Eve,’ Dotty says. ‘I have much to tell you.’
I pull up the other chair and position it next to Dotty.
‘You know, I never thought I’d be sitting here in this office again. Let alone sitting here beside my great-granddaughter,’ she says, looking proudly at me. ‘You’re doing a wonderful job so far, Eve. You and Adam. I’ve heard all about you and what you’ve done so far with the portal.’
‘But how?’ I ask, wondering how she knows any of this.
‘From Ben.’
‘You’ve seen him?’ I exclaim. ‘Is he all right?’
‘He’s absolutely fine. He’s living quite the carefree, relaxed life now he’s seen his mother and put things right.’
‘Oh, good. I was so worried about him.’
‘He said that you would be. He also said to tell you you mustn’t worry about him. Although he misses you all greatly, he’s happy where he is and he’s so grateful to you for helping him.’
I can’t help but let out a little sigh. It feels like a huge weight has been lifted.
‘I would like to thank you too,’ she says. She looks down at her gloves, then quickly but carefully removes them before taking my hand in hers.
The feeling that surges through me when she does is like nothing I’ve ever felt before. It’s like a heady mixture of love, belonging and complete peace.
‘You’ve turned into a fine young woman, Eve,’ she says, looking into my eyes. ‘You’ve not had the easiest of lives so far. You don’t need to explain. I know all about your family. But despite all that, you’ve grown into a strong, independent, brave and deeply loyal human being. One I’m very proud to call my great-granddaughter.’
