Page 74 of The Shape of Your Heart
‘But what if Dad has another heart attack?’ I say anxiously.
‘Then we’ll come back,’ Sasha says straight away. ‘Alice and Rita are going to so much trouble for us,’ she adds more gently. ‘I really think they want us to do this.’
Relief flows over me. ‘OK. Let’s do this!’ My excitement starts to return. ‘I need to start walking more – and so do you,’ I say to Sasha. ‘I don’t want you holding me back, you know. You need to up your training.’
‘I am walking,’ she says indignantly. ‘Pretty much everywhere, as it happens. But it’s mostly flattish pavements, as you know.’
‘So come and stay this weekend,’ I suggest. ‘We can walk along the coast path. As a matter of fact, until we go, why don’t you do it every weekend?’ I’m suspicious all of a sudden. ‘You haven’t heard from that dreadful man again, have you?’
‘I haven’t.’ Her voice is filled with amusement. ‘Finally, he seems to have got the message.’
When she threatened to tell his wife, I’m not surprised. ‘That’s a really good thing. So, how about this weekend?’
‘Why not?’ She pauses. ‘That way I can see Mum and Dad, too.’
‘I have a better idea. They’re up to their ears in boxes and packing – they could probably do with some help. Why don’t we both spend the weekend there?’
* * *
By the time I arrive at my parents’ house on Friday evening, Sasha’s already there. When she sees me, she looks slightly shocked.
‘I can’t believe how much she’s done.’
‘You know what she’s like when she puts her mind to something,’ I say wryly. ‘She becomes obsessed. And she won’t let Dad do anything.’
‘I still feel sad that they’re leaving here.’ Sasha’s voice wobbles.
‘Sash, she and Dad had already decided to move before he was ill. This will be good for them.’
‘She said Nathan’s been helping.’ Sasha raises one of her eyebrows.
I feel my face grow hot. ‘He buys and sells properties all the time. We’re trying to take the pressure off Dad. He seemed the obvious person to ask.’
‘I think she’s taken quite a shine to him,’ Sasha says conspiratorially.
‘He’s a nice guy,’ I say quietly.
She looks at me as though I’m mad. ‘He obviously likes you. Mum said he barely took his eyes off you.’
I’m silent for a moment. It’s hard to explain how I’m feeling, when I haven’t mentioned the letter to any of my family. I sigh. ‘You’re missing the point. Yes, I like him, as it happens. It just isn’t the time, OK?’
Sasha takes my hands in hers. ‘Will it ever be?’ she says quietly.
I blink away the tears that seem to have come out of nowhere. ‘I hope so,’ I mutter. Wiping my eyes, I pull myself together. ‘I think the walk is going to change a lot of things.’
‘I’m so pleased to hear that,’ she says softly. She smiles at me. ‘Now, shall we go and be dutiful daughters? Mum’s upstairs mucking out her wardrobe.’
* * *
The following day, the wind is brisk as Sasha and I set off along the coast path. If I’d been worrying that she wouldn’t be up to it, it seems pavement walking has done the trick. We walk seven miles seemingly effortlessly.
‘We’re going to be walking further than this,’ I tell her. ‘Every day, for weeks – well, apart from the odd day off, that is.’
‘Don’t worry. I’ve done my research,’ Sasha says calmly. ‘I do know what I’ve signed up for.’ She’s quiet for a moment. ‘I suppose there’s no point in me trying to talk you out of taking the ferry?’
‘None whatsoever,’ I say quickly. ‘Aeroplanes are unnatural. I don’t trust them.’
‘Crossing the Bay of Biscay when you don’t have to is just as unnatural.’ Before I can speak, she goes on. ‘But I’ll do it – for you. Just this once, though. As long as you never ask me to do it again.’
