‘No, no, she came back with me and Kamran last night.’
‘Oh? Just like that? Without saying goodbye? Without saying goodbye tome?’ I felt the pain intensify. No backward glance from Sorrel at her childhood home to which she would quite probably now never return.
‘She said goodbye to you last night.’
‘No, but this is afinalgoodbye.’
‘No, it’s not.’ Mum’s tone was gentle. ‘We’re going to have a lovely farewell brunch up at Kamran’s place in the morning before we set off for London.’
‘Yesterdaywas a farewell lunch for Sorrel.’ I felt slightly mutinous that Kamran Sattar appeared to have hijacked not only my mum and little sister, but the final goodbye as well.
‘And really fabulous it was too. And appreciated by everyone.’
‘Not sure about Pat Butterworth.’ I sniffed.
‘The woman is a monster. A hanger-on that you can now discard completely.’
‘Suppose.’
‘So, Dean’s going to move his stuff over in the next couple of days.’
‘I believe so.’ I knew I sounded like a bolshy teen, and I tried to smile.
‘Jess, Jess,’ Mum soothed. ‘You’ve agreed to it. You’re doing me a favour having Dean in my cottage. He’ll look after it for me.’
‘You think you might come back then. One day?’
‘Who knows?’ Mum gave a little smile. ‘I haven’t lived with an unpredictable man for the last thirty-five years to appreciate things can go belly up.’
‘You’re not saying Kamran…?’
‘No, Jess, I’m not saying Kamran is anything like Jayden. But one must learn to stand on one’s own feet. And be prepared for anything.’
‘You mean I should?’
‘I mean everyone should.’
‘Don’t think Robyn needs to be prepared for anything with Fabian,’ I said.
‘No, she’s got a good one there.’ Mum paused. ‘He loves Robyn very much, Jess.’
‘Of course he does.’ I nodded. ‘Obvious to anyone who sees those two together.’
‘There’ll be someone, just around the corner, waiting foryou.’ Mum smiled again.
‘Well, I wish he’d get a damned move on. Whoever he is.’ I laughed out loud at the very idea.
‘OK.’ Mum was now brisk. ‘I’ve left strict instructions for Dean about the central heating, the washing machine etcetera. The infernal thing only works with one slap and two kicks to rev it into action.’ She frowned. ‘Oh, and keep an eye on him when he’s in the garden with my lawnmower. I’ve had to leave it behind so he can mow the lawn. It needs oiling every now and again and?—’
‘Mum, you won’t need it again.’
‘No, but my garden here will.’ She grinned. ‘I actually went out on Kamran’s quad yesterday. It’s a huge area of lawn…’
‘Thought he’d have gardeners up there to see to all that.’
‘Well, yes, he has, but I need a patch to call totally my own.’ Mum waved her car keys in my direction. ‘Right, I’m off. We’ll see you and Lola up at Kamran’s in the morning. About tennish? We’re setting off at lunchtime.’
‘Sorrel OK?’
