Page 72 of The Shape of Your Heart
Nathan nods. ‘I’d be happy to. Shall I go over to see them?’ He hesitates. ‘Or would you like to bring them here?’
‘Oh.’ I haven’t got that far. ‘Could I bring them here? The house is chaotic. I think it would do them good to get out for a bit.’
‘Why don’t you talk to them and let me know?’
I’m filled with gratitude. ‘This is so kind of you. Honestly, I really can’t thank you enough.’
* * *
It’s late by the time I get home. Going inside, I pick up the post. Sifting through it, I see it’s mostly junk mail, with the exception of a letter that’s addressed to me. Opening it and reading the first few lines, I take in a second envelope inside, as I stop breathing. I put it down, time seeming to stop as suddenly I’m whisked back to our wedding day, to the moment I was at my lowest just after Liam died.
26
NATHAN
After a call from Callie asking if she can bring her mother over, I tidy the house, plumping cushions, before stoking up the fire and putting on a clean shirt. As I come downstairs, Callie’s car pulls up outside.
Standing back from the window, I watch how solicitous she is as she takes her mother’s bag, waiting as she gets out, before taking her arm as they walk towards the house.
Halfway there, they pause, standing there for a moment, as Callie gestures towards the garden, talking animatedly as now and then, her mother nods.
Hearing Callie knock, I open the door.
‘Hi.’ Her eyes seem luminous. ‘This is my mum, Diana. Mum, this is Nathan.’
I hold out my hand. ‘Pleased to meet you.’ Her eyes remind me of Callie’s, but the resemblance ends there.
‘Hello, Nathan. This is very kind of you. I’m sorry, my husband was supposed to come with us but we’ve left him resting.’ Shaking my hand, she turns towards the garden. ‘This is rather lovely.’
‘Thanks, but it wasn’t always,’ I say wryly. ‘Not until Callie took it in hand. Would you like to come in?’
‘This is charming,’ Diana says as she steps inside. ‘Have you lived here long?’
‘A few months.’ I turn to Callie. ‘Can I offer you a cup of tea?’
She smiles. ‘Thanks – but we don’t want to take up too much of your time.’
‘I have plenty of time,’ I assure them.
‘Tea would be nice.’ Taking off her jacket, Diana settles herself on the sofa.
After I’ve made her a cup of tea, Diana talks me through her plans, showing me the details of the house she’s thinking of buying. As we discuss the process, from making an offer to organising a survey, now and then I catch Callie’s eye, as she sits quietly, listening.
As the conversation comes to an end, she gets up. ‘We should go, Mum.’
‘There’s really no hurry.’ I look at Diana. ‘More tea?’
‘If you’re sure.’ Diana glances at Callie. ‘We don’t have to be anywhere, do we?’
‘No.’ A look I can’t read flickers across Callie’s face. ‘Do you mind if I leave you to it for a bit? I’ll be outside.’
Going out the back door, she closes it quietly behind her. Through the window I watch her stand on the terrace, looking around for a moment before going down the steps on to the grass. When I turn back to Diana, her eyes are clouded.
‘Her father being ill, after losing Liam… It’s been quite hard for her, I think.’
‘I’m sure. How is your husband?.’
‘He’s getting better. Between you and me, though, last time we thought we were going to lose him.’ She blinks away a tear. ‘It really has been the oddest time. And of course, selling the house makes it even odder. Anyway…’ She rallies herself, in the same way I’ve seen Callie do. ‘Given what’s happened, we’re lucky, really. And a smaller house will suit us so much better.’
