Page 171 of The Moon Sister
‘Ready for the ride of your life, Charlie?’ Marcella chuckled.
‘I absolutely can’t wait,’ Charlie said, rolling his eyes at me, as he followed her. ‘Bye, Tiggy.’
When they’d left, I poured myself a glass of water and drank thirstily, thinking that perhaps it was no surprise Ulrika was insecure about her husband. It was obvious he had a magnetism that women responded to. Yet he seemed largely unaware of it.
‘And perhaps that’s part of his charm,’ I muttered as I left the hotel to walk down the road and see how the new mother and baby were getting on.
I found Ally sitting in a chair outside Pepe and Angelina’s cave with a sleeping Bear in her arms. There were faint shadows beneath her eyes, doubtless from the demands of her first night of feeds, but they were sparkling with happiness and contentment.
‘How are you feeling?’
‘Tired, but other than that, absolutely wonderful!’
‘Youlookwonderful, Ally, I’m so happy for you. By the way, I called Thom and he’s busy organising consulate appointments as we speak.’
‘Sounds like my brother,’ she said with a grin.
‘I doubt he’ll make it to Sacromonte today. Would you like me to stay another night, in case he doesn’t arrive until tomorrow?’
‘No, I’m honestly fine, Tiggy. I’ve got other people here to look after me, don’t forget. You go to Atlantis and let Ma fuss over you for a while. Speaking of Ma, did you manage to call her too?’
‘Yes, and she was thrilled to hear the news, as you can imagine. She sent her fondest love.’
‘Well, tell her I’ll bring Bear to see her at Atlantis soon.’
‘I will. Now, I think I’d better go and wake up Pepe.’
‘You do that. I was about to take a rest anyway, while this little one’s sleeping.’
‘I’ll see you later to say goodbye, darling Ally.’
I went up to the hotel and knocked on Pepe’s door.
‘What time is it?’ Pepe muttered grumpily as he opened it, obviously having just woken up. But as he saw my face, he simply took me into his arms. ‘Okay,querida, I must go down and prepare breakfast for Angelina, and you and I need some food too . . .’
After Pepe had dressed and we’d walked down to the blue door, he sat me down in the little garden and busied himself in the kitchen. He returned with a tray of warm bread and coffee and Angelina in tow.
‘So, you are going home,’ she said.
I nodded. ‘Yes, in a few hours. But I’ll be back as soon as I’m allowed,’ I responded quickly. ‘I still have so much more to learn from you—’
‘Sí, and we will still be here when you return. Even if Pepe is old and fat . . . I am strong as an ox,’ Angelina winked at me.
‘I want to stay here with you two,’ I said. ‘But Ally and Charlie think it’s best I go back to Geneva . . .’
‘Sometimes you must trust others to know what is best for you. And for them,’ Angelina chuckled. ‘Don’t deny those who love you a chance to care for you. Understand?’
‘Sort of, but I really don’t want to leave.’
‘I know, because this place is in your heart. You are welcome here any time you wish.’
‘Thank you.’ I chewed the delicious bread, and tried my best to savour these parting moments with my newfound family. Gathering my courage, I asked them what I knew we had been putting off during my time here in Granada, simply because the outcome had to be a sad one. ‘Before I go, can you . . . can you please tell me about my mother and father? I have so many questions, and I can’t leave without knowing—’
‘Yes, Erizo, of course we must tell you,’ Angelina said, and then sighed heavily. ‘Not all of it is happy, and perhaps we have been selfish in not telling you before. But Pepe and I do not often like to think of it . . .’
Pepe took her hand in his, and we all sat together quietly for a few moments. Then Pepe seemed to rouse himself, and raised his brown eyes to meet mine.
‘So, I will begin, because I was there. It was 1944, and as the world was still destroying itself in a war, Lucía was in South America at the height of her career . . .’
