“Can you? I have their number here.”
I rang them, giving them as much information as I could on their daughter. They were in Glasgow, so wouldn’t be at the hospital any time soon. I promised to keep them updated and I could tell they were petrified of what the outcome could be.
Rose spoke to Harriet and Erin. Harriet would automatically drop everything and head over to London, although she’d agreed not to drive and that someone would give her a lift. There was no confirmation of who that someone would be and none of us cared right now.
Erin was only a few miles away, and would be there first. Rose put her phone away, falling back into my arms and clinging on.
I nuzzled her hair, catching the scent that was so familiar, shower gel and body cream that my sheets smelled of.
We don’t have the luxury of waiting any more.
Vas’ words ran through my head, along with a stack of what ifs. I knew that Rose was healthy, that she kept on top of her now annual appointments and made choices based on her health, but still.
“I love you.” The words came out without a stutter. “Not the best time to say it, but I do, I love you.”
She pulled her head back so she could see me. “I love you too. No idea why you’ve told me that now, but I’m glad I know.”
“My timing could always be better.”
“Agreed.” I held her until Erin got there, then stayed with them both while Harriet arrived, accompanied by a tall Scotsman who was vaguely familiar and had to get back to Stratford, but asked me to keep him updated and gave me his number.
“I have lots of gossip for Fallon when she’s awake,” Harriet said. “I’ll tell you all at the same time.”
“Never tell a story twice,” Erin said. “But I think I have an idea.”
“I’m lost.” And I wasn’t sure I wanted to be found when they started talking in code like this. “Let me see if I can get an update.”
I did, and it was good news, which meant more cryptic clues were given about Harriet’s chauffeur to pass the time.
That was the thing about time, you never knew how much you had, or whether it was the right time, or if there ever was a good time.
I guessed you just had to work with what you had, and in my case, I now had the woman I’d always loved.
Epilogue
ROSE
Six months later
“It’s a lovely home.” Laurie looked round the open plan kitchen and nodded. “I like the dining table arrangement.”
“Thank you. It was fun getting it up here.” I’d bought a penthouse, the sale completing a couple of weeks ago. Since then, I’d been getting it straight, moving in furniture and decorating, although there were still a few things that needed doing. It was the perfect location, a five-minute walk from Carter’s and just a couple of minutes from Fallon and my parents. It had been cathartic, choosing a new home and then packing, sorting through things that I’d hoarded for years, finding old photographs and journals, clothes I’d worn when I was in my early twenties that were just hilarious and resulted in a fashion show with Harriet and Fallon – Erin was back in Paris for some reason. It had been fun and reminded me of when we were younger and couldn’t afford to have big nights out, preferring to stay in with cheap wine and face masks.
Life had changed, even in a few months it had altered beyond all imagination.
This was my housewarming, a few people gathered so they could have a nosy round the place and mark the occasion, creating more memories, celebrating another milestone.
“When do you complete on the house?” I asked Laurie. She’d found a four bedroomed town house near mine and Carter’s old school and put an offer in before I’d found the penthouse.
“Next week with any luck. Once I’ve moved in, I’ll let the flat above the shop out to the manager, and then that’s one less thing to have to look after. The shop in St Paul’s opens at the start of September, and I’ll have Charlotte with me then too, so life will be busy.”
“When’s it not?” I looked over at Harriet who was rearranging the books on my bookcase. “Was it not to your standard?” I asked across the room.
“You had a couple of series in the wrong order, which isn’t acceptable.” She stood up, having been crouched down while inspecting the bottom shelves. “I think you need to put that vase over here, it needs more structure in this corner.”
“Who made you an interior decorator?”
She waved her hand in an obnoxious manner. “Us home owners have to develop some taste.”
