Page 102 of The Shape of Your Heart
‘I will. I have to go. This is my bus.’ She picks up her backpack. ‘Good luck with everything – and with the guy. Don’t forget to tell me what happens!’
The bus doors open, then after everyone gets on, they close. Standing there, I wave to her as the bus pulls away, watching until it disappears into the traffic, feeling very alone.
As I make my way back to the hotel, I think about all the things I could do here today. Maybe wander the streets, check out one or two clothes shops – most of what’s in my rucksack needs throwing away. But nothing really appeals, and suddenly I know why. I want to go home.
* * *
After six weeks in Spain, England seems crowded and noisy. As I sit on the train to Bodmin, I text Tanith.
I’m back!!! Getting into Bodmin at 6.30pm, can you pick me up? xxx
She gets back to me straight away.
Yay!!!! We can’t wait to see you xxx
Closing my eyes, I think back over the hundreds of kilometres I’ve walked as nostalgia comes over me for the Spanish coast I’ve come to love. It’s an experience that will stay with me always, one that’s changed me and opened my mind; that’s given me a deeper sense of connection in this world.
It’s a lovely afternoon to be arriving back in Cornwall. It’s cooler and less luxuriant than Galicia, but achingly familiar and no less beautiful. As the train pulls into Bodmin station, Tanith’s waiting on the platform for me. Picking up my backpack, I wince slightly. Josefine was right about the extra weight, but I know when I plant my garden, it will have been worth it.
I step off the train and Tanith hurries towards me, flinging her arms around me and hugging me.
‘You look amazing.’ As she pulls away, her eyes are lit up in a way I haven’t seen before.
I smile at her. ‘So do you. You’ll have to fill me in on what’s been happening while I’ve been away!’
‘There’s so much to tell you, I don’t know where to start.’ Reaching her car, she lifts my bag in. ‘I’ve loved being at your place. The boys have, too. I can’t thank you enough.’
‘I’m just sorry it means you have to go back to your parents’ house.’ When she doesn’t reply, I’m curious. ‘Is there something you’re not saying?’
‘There’s something I have to tell you,’ she sounds mysterious. ‘But you’re going to have to wait.’
* * *
Back home, the cottage is oddly quiet. ‘Where are the boys?’
‘At a friend’s,’ Tanith says vaguely. ‘Can I get you anything?’
‘I’d love a beer.’ Opening my backpack, I start delving amongst my clothes until I find what I’ve been looking for. One by one, getting out the pebbles I’ve gathered, I put them on the table. ‘I found these mostly in Galicia. It’s amazing there. The sea is every shade of blue and the beaches are stunning.’
‘I hope you have loads of photos.’ She passes me a beer.
‘Thousands.’ I glance around the house properly, noticing for the first time how tidy it is. ‘Thanks so much for looking after everything.’
‘It’s me who needs to thank you.’ Her eyes are solemn for a moment. ‘You have no idea how since coming here…’
‘What?’ I frown at her.
‘Nothing,’ she says hastily. ‘It’s just made all the difference in the world – that’s all.’ She glances at my pebbles. ‘Hey, these are cool.’
‘I brought them back for my garden. In fact…’ Picking up my treasured stones, I take them outside.
The garden is coming into its summer finest. The grass is neatly mown, the first sprigs of lavender flowering, many of the roses already in bloom. Making my way over to what’s to become my memory of Santiago de Compostela, I’m aware of Tanith following me. But as my eyes find what used to be an empty patch of soil, it isn’t at all as I left it. I take in the patch of earth that’s been carefully planted with daisies and bright orange marigolds, the tall yellow rudbeckia that’s just starting to come into flower. A funny feeling comes over me as I turn to look at Tanith.
‘We wanted to fill it with sunshine colours,’ she says quietly.
‘We?’ I shake my head. ‘But this was supposed to be Santiago de Compostela. I have all these ideas. I’ve even brought back a piece of driftwood.’
‘These came from your parents’ garden,’ Tanith says gently.
