“I think she did that once, lost a long message and had to start over. She’s never touched that button again.” He handed over his mobile. “That’s the most recent. The one that startsI’LL BE HERE.”
“Does she always use caps?”
“Only when she’s in a hurry.”
“The rose is nice, and the hearts.”
“I personally like the hammer paired with the T-rex.”
Lucky grinned. “If I met a T-rex, I wouldn’t mind having a hammer.”
“Scroll up and you’ll see the ones she sent earlier.”
He started reading and chuckled. “She’s clearly worried about you getting enough food. The volcano’s an interesting choice. And the barber’s pole. Hey, she found a bowl of ice cream. That works.”
“And a tooth. I think that counts.”
Peering closer, Lucky’s grin widened. “Technically, so does a pile of poo.”
“Don’tevertell her she sent that, mate. I’m sure she doesn’t know what it is. She’d be scarlet.”
“I promise.” Still smiling, he handed back the mobile. “I love her already. Would she text me some emojis if I give her my number?”
“I’m sure she’d want to, but you’ll have to text her first and then she can just reply. Once I get home I’ll put you in her contacts with your picture. She’ll love that. Right now I’m the only contact she has.”
“Got it.”
“It’s time.” Pulling up his contacts, he tapped on Granny’s listing and set his mobile on speaker mode.
She answered right away, breathless with excitement. “Ah, Kieran, my boy, I miss ya so!”
“I miss you, too, oul dear. And I have news about my mother.”
“Do ya?” Her voice trembled. “She’s gone, yeah?”
“She is.” He said it gently. “Not long after she mailed that postcard, but?—”
“I knew it, knew it in my bones.” She sniffed. “Sorry, sorry. I’ll be after a tissue. Be right back.”
His chest ached. If only he could be there.
“It’s back, I am.” Her voice was stronger. “So. My Freya is gone from this world. But d’ya know where she is?”
“I’m sure she’s in heaven, Granny. I know she had her faults, but?—”
“I don’t mean that. A’course she’s in heaven. And if she’s not, she’s down there givin’ the Devil what for. I meant, d’ya know…” Her voice faltered. “Where is she… I hope someone….”
“Oh.” He sucked in a breath. “She’s in the Wagon Train cemetery. She had a proper burial.” He looked over at Lucky. “And a headstone with… her name on it.”
“Truly? You’ve seen it?”
“Not yet. I’ll go there today.”
“And you’ll send me a picture?”
“I will.” Why had he promised to do that today? The headstone would still be wrong. Well, he’d figure out something.
“How’d… how’d it happen?”
