‘I thought you’d be disappointed. You love our house.’
‘I do, but I love you more.’ She rested her forehead against his. ‘Let’s just say I feel like I’ve got a whole new perspective on priorities since I came here. I don’t need new things in the house, I don’t need a big expensive holiday. Addie and I had a few inexpensive days away and it was one of the best breaks I’ve had.’
He put a hand to her cheek. ‘What happened to you?’
‘This island,’ she said. It had happened to her when she was fourteen and it was happening to her again, except this time it brought with it the ability to see the important things and finally find a sense of peace in letting go of the past.
As they chatted and Alex held her on his lap, refusing to let her even get up and make a coffee, she told him more about the island.
‘You never told me whether those bands worked on the crossing over here,’ he said.
‘The travel bands you gave me? Well, I wasn’t sick so yes, I think they did. Thank you.’ She hugged him. It felt so good to have him by her side, so close, after all this time.
‘I can’t believe you never brought me here,’ he said, looking out of the window as if it gave him a view of the whole island. ‘I’ve not seen much of it, but the walk from the harbour was spectacular. The views are incredible.’
‘I can’t wait to show you more. How long are you staying?’
‘I’m afraid it’ll be a quick turnaround. I’m going back in the morning.’
‘So soon?’
‘I need to. I have a meeting with a financial advisor to see if there’s anything else I can do. Then I’ll take it from there.’
She understood. If the practice was in trouble, he had to be at the helm. ‘But you’ll stay tonight?’
Before he had a chance to answer they heard the front door open and Addie’s voice call out, ‘We’re home!’
Susanna leapt from Alex’s lap and raced to greet them, hugging her aunt as she crossed the threshold.
Addie squealed when she saw Alex appear in the hallway.
Gayle, still beside Susanna, whispered, ‘That’s your Alex?’
‘It is,’ she said quietly, before introducing him to her aunt and Louisa, who she named as the third Rafferty girl. Quite rightly he looked confused, but he took it in his stride. She’d have to explain that part of the drama to him later.
‘And?’ Gayle whispered to Susanna when Addie had dragged Alex and Louisa into the kitchen with a yell that she was making teas and coffees.
‘Gayle, I really think you should be sitting down. You’ve just come out of hospital.’
‘Not until you tell me how it’s going with Alex.’
Susanna hugged her aunt and said softly into her ear, ‘Alex and I are going to be okay.’
‘Then that’s all I need to know.’ And she smiled right back at her niece.
‘Is it all right if he stays the night before he has to head off?’
‘Of course.’ She strode towards the kitchen calling over her shoulder, ‘I have a set of earplugs.’
Susanna felt herself colour. She couldn’t wait to be in Alex’s arms tonight, to feel safe, to take on whatever life threw at them next. Together.
She’d never felt quite as much warmth in this cottage as she did right now.
31
GAYLE
A couple of days later and Gayle was getting used to being waited on and fussed over. She’d thought she might hate it, but quite the opposite – she basked in it.
