The end of Georgia’s story spilled out of her, and it was the one she wanted to tell.
When she eventually typed ‘The End’ to the book, Liv burst into tears. They streamed down her face, for the loss of her dad, and Essie, and at finally saying goodbye to Georgia. The heroine had been with her through thick and thin for thirty years. Liv had sometimes felt as if her life depended on her. But not any longer. She was now her own woman.
She wiped her face with her sleeves and sat back in her chair.She imagined her dad’s hand resting gently on her shoulder.Well done, sweet pea, he said.I’m proud of you.
She was proud of herself, too. She suddenly felt lighter than she’d done in months, as if she’d thrown off a heavy cloak exposing her skin to sunlight. She didn’t need cherubs or trumpets or a new swimsuit to make her feel this way. She had the love of her family.
Liv might not have gone to university or dated around. If things had been different she might not have met Jake, nor had Mack and Johnny either. Maybe Essie was indirectly responsible for the way her life panned out, setting actions in motion the author could never have imagined or stopped. But Liv was in charge of how they progressed from here.
She now knew she wanted to work on things with Jake. Whatever happened, Liv wouldn’t trade the life they’d had, or were going to have, for anything.
Inheriting the flat might mean she could start a new career and cast her financial worries aside. She didn’t want bitterness, regret or anger marring her future.
She had to find it in her heart to forgive Essie, so she could move on. Just like Georgia Rory.
Liv called Jake and told him she would be coming home, but not just yet.
Liv hunched her shoulders as she walked along the path to her mum’s house. The sky was dimming, turning blue to navy. The stars were coming out and the moon was a silver crescent. Halloween pumpkins flickered in doorways and windows displayed spiders, ghosts and cobwebs.
‘It’s only me,’ she called out, her voice already shaking. What should she tell her mum about Essie?She took a couple of minutes to stand in the hallway, taking a few deep breaths to quell the worry squeezing her lungs.
‘Hiya,’ Carol said. She frowned when she saw Liv’s rounded posture. ‘What’s wrong, love? It’s late.’
Liv had a boulder-sized lump in her throat. ‘Can we talk?’ she said.
‘Of course. Let’s get a cuppa.’
When Liv followed her mum into the kitchen, she used the wall to steady herself.
Carol made two cups of tea and Liv’s hand shook when she picked hers up. ‘Did you know that Dad taught Essie?’ she said.
Her mum frowned at her, taking this in. ‘No. Did she tell you that?’
‘Yes, in her own way…’
‘I don’t understand.’
‘Essie was in love with Dad, while she was at university.’
Carol smiled. ‘I’m sure lots of other students felt that way about him, too. He was well-liked and handsome.’
‘No, I mean, shereallyloved him.’
Carol set her cup down. She pulled at a button on her cardigan. ‘Do you mean that they…?’
Liv shook her head. ‘No, nothing like that happened. But she did fall for him very hard. He was always on her mind then, and throughout her life.’
‘And she’s told you all this?’ Carol’s chin quavered. ‘What is she thinking of?’
Liv held her hand, not sure what to say next.
Carol drew a deep breath. ‘I know there was one student your dad grew particularly close to. He started to stay late at work for various functions and presentations.It was all part of his job.’ She paused. ‘One day I found some cufflinks hidden in his sock drawer…’
‘Shaped like bees?’ Liv said.
‘How do youknow?’
‘Essie has them.’
