Paulette removed the quilt and opened it out with a gasp.
‘Oh, my! Saffy, can you hold this up so I can see it properly?’
Saffy took the quilt from Paulette, spreading her arms wide and high. Paulette’s eyes filled with tears and she shook her head.
‘This is spectacular, Yvonne!’ she said after running her fingers along the jetty then stepping back to get a full view. ‘But I can’t possibly accept it. The work that’s gone into this… It’s too much.’
‘I designed it as a challenge and because I liked the photo but it’s a place that’s important to you so, if you like it, I really want you to have it.’
‘Like it? Iloveit!’
She switched places with Saffy to give her granddaughter a look.
‘It’s lush,’ Saffy said. ‘You’re super talented, Yvonne.’
Their reactions gave me a warm, fuzzy feeling inside and exactly the boost I needed after such a tough week. I was so glad I hadn’t talked myself out of visiting.
‘Thank you. I love making quilts. I’ve lost count of how many I’ve made over the years but I’ve enjoyed every single one.’
‘Where do you sell them?’ Saffy asked.
‘Nowhere.’
‘So you have a pile of quilts at home doing nothing?’
‘Yes.’
‘How many?’
‘Not sure. Thirty or so? Which is why I really need your grandma to accept this one.’
‘Consider it accepted.’ Paulette draped it over the back of the sofa, smiling at it. ‘It’s so beautiful. I can’t thank you enough, Yvonne.’
I was still on my feet and Paulette surprised me by grabbing me in a hug. I stiffened for a moment, then relaxed into it. I’d almost forgotten how good it felt to be hugged – that comfort and warmth from another person’s body – and felt momentarily tearful. Cliff had been a great hugger, as had my mum, but nobody else in my life had been tactile. At Cliff’s funeral, a few mourners had given me half-hugs – holding my arms as they gave me a kiss on the cheek or an air kiss – but that hadn’t felt particularly personal. Not like this. I longed to tighten my hold on Paulette but I was conscious that might be a bit weird for two women who’d only known each other for a few months and had never been tactile before, so I gave her a quick squeeze then released her.
‘You must let me pay you,’ Paulette said.
‘Absolutely not. It’s a gift. Your expression when you saw it was payment enough.’
‘Then let me take you out for a meal to say thank you.’
‘She’s not doing anything tonight,’ Saffy said. ‘She could stay for tea.’
Paulette clapped her hands together. ‘That’s perfect! We’re ordering a Chinese banquet tonight and intending to stuff our faces so there’s more than enough for three. In fact, if you want to nip home and pack an overnight bag, you’d be welcome to stay and see the New Year in with us. We’ve got a couple of bottles of bubbly in the fridge.’
It was so kind of them but panic welled inside me because there was no way I could accept. Not tonight of all nights.
‘Party!’ Saffy cried. ‘And small ones are the best. You will stay, won’t you?’
She looked and sounded genuinely excited at the prospect and I felt tearful once more. A week ago, Marianne had made me feel so unwanted and now Paulette and a teenager I’d only just met were eager to see in the New Year with me. I wished I could accept but it really was out of the question.
Paulette evidently spotted my discomfort. ‘No offence if you’d rather do your own thing. We can take a raincheck if you like.’
‘Yes, please. I, erm…’
A series of beeps saved me from finding an excuse.
‘Urgh!’ Saffy muttered. ‘My phone’s about to die. I need to find my charger.’
