“Two of my granddaughters are there. Rose is going into second year and Eliza starts first year in September. It’s a good school and you’ll be able to come home for lunch.” Or nip off when it was a lesson he didn’t like. I was well aware that few of my children had been saints with things like that and pretended to not notice that the kitchen was untidy because they’d had an extended lunch while they were meant to be in French.
I don’t think they ever realised but there was only ever French cheese in the fridge during this period, along with Orangina and French bread for sandwiches. A level of irony that’d been totally missed by Seph and Payton.
He nodded, not knowing quite what to say.
“Carter’s starting his last year before A-Levels,” his dad said, taking stock of the house himself. “Shall we have a look around?”
I nodded, leading the way to the door, explaining about the locks and security, which I’d also emailed to him as there were quite a lot of layers.
I took them through each floor, pointing out where I’d left notes about how to use appliances that we were leaving, the odd door that swung both ways, where the secret room was and the staircase that’d been hidden at first.
I didn’t tell the stories that the walls sang to me as I walked through one last time, catching the scent of new born baby when I went into the room I’d nursed my three in. I knew that smell hadn’t been there for years, but I still caught it, a potent memory I never wanted to forget.
“It’s a beautiful home, Mrs Callaghan. We’ll take very good care of it.” He looked at the many keys that were on the console table as we circled back to the door; all necessary information passed on. “We’ll be moving in over the next few weeks – staying in a hotel for now but I want Carter settled for when school starts.” He glanced at his son, who’d managed not to get his phone out once while we were walking round, something of a miracle.
“Similar to what we did when we moved in. The place when we bought it wasn’t quite finished. It still needed fixtures and fittings and furnishing, so we had a mad month getting it habitable. This should be a bit easier, then you can put your own stamp on it.” Which was exactly what they should do. The furniture they’d bought with the house wasn’t sentimental, there was nothing I’d regret leaving and I’d take the memories with me.
Although there was one thing.
“In the garden, there’s a rose bush that was bought and planted by my granddaughter. It’s taken very nicely and is healthy, so if you decide to revamp the garden and no longer want it, I’d appreciate it if you’d let me know and we can replant it elsewhere.” Rose had been a little sad yesterday when she’d seen the plant, knowing she wouldn’t see it again. We’d cut a few of the blooms for her to take home, Grant de-thorning it so she didn’t hurt herself.
She was the most precious at the moment, her upcoming procedure at the hands of the man I was talking to, making us all realise how fragile we actually were.
I wasn’t going to mention that the granddaughter I was referring to was a patient of his. That could unfold in due course.
Mr. Collins’ eyes brightened as he nodded. “I actually like gardening and one of the things about here that really appealed was the size of the garden. It’s just the right size for me to keep on top of, so I’ll look after the rose. I’m quite green fingered, aren’t I, Carter?”
His son nodded and grinned. “With an obsession for house plants. I have nightmares that they’re actually AI about to strangle me in my sleep.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. They’re not AI. They might strangle you though.” The doctor’s eyes danced as he teased, and I realised I liked him. He had a sense of humour and was intelligent. His son was a credit to him and it made me feel better knowing that it wouldn’t be a family of eejits living in my house.
Because it would always be my house, somehow. Me and my family were part of her history just as much as she’d been part of ours.
“I’ll leave you to explore and decide where to put your murderous house plants. You have my number and the estate agent's if you have any questions. There’s a bottle of champagne in the fridge for you to celebrate and good luck in your new home.”
Mr. Collins nodded, shaking my hand again, and opened the door for me to make my exit.
I did so, taking one last long look back at the place where I’d been so happy.
I was lucky though. I’d been happy in a lot of places and there was more happiness to be had.
“Thank you,” I muttered, hoping no one heard me and thought I was going insane. I wasn’t sure who I was thanking, maybe everyone and everything, but it was time to go now, Grantwould be waiting and so were my characters and I was desperate to know whether they’d finally get together.
MEMORY THIRTEEN
MARIE
I looked around the landing of the fourth floor and considered what it was going to have to become. We’d lived in the house for eighteen months now; the older children were settled in school and doing well. Callum was at nursery four days a week and with me or Grant for the fifth. We’d decided not to employ a nanny, but we did have an au pair to help with mornings and school runs and after school, although the older boys were in clubs most evenings, rugby, football and martial arts. Claire had made friends and liked to play at their houses, or they would come here, but her favourite thing was meeting me at the office and asking about my work.
It was family law now. I’d switched over when we’d began the merger of the two firms, Callaghan and Green’s becoming simply Callaghan Green, both in London and in New York. Our fathers were still involved, but they’d both reduced their hours in the office, taking their pick of big cases and leaving the rest to a new generation.
A new generation that was about to grow.
I put a hand on my stomach that was still pretty flat. I’d had confirmation today that I was indeed with child, as my mother would put it, so tonight I would be telling Grant the news.
We’d discussed it. I’d come off the Pill and we had kind of been trying. He was worried I’d be depressed afterwards like Rachael was, so that had taken some work to talk him off that ledge. It was a possibility, of course it was, but it was unlikely. Bernadette would stay with us after the baby was born for a couple of months to help out with the older kids and she wasn’t likely to let me trouble into any dark place. This baby would also be born in London, where I was surrounded by people all the time. I wouldn’t be isolated at the Oxford home, although we’d still be splitting our time there now the house was finished.
The fourth floor had been decorated and carpeted but it was unfurnished. There were three bedrooms and a large landing with a huge window that let in so much light. The ceilings were high and I loved the brightness of the room.
