‘What is it?’ Irene urged. ‘What does it say?’
‘I wasn’t expecting that.’ Elle felt herself trembling. ‘My mother is here.’
Irene glanced towards the door in amazement. ‘Here?’
‘No, not here as in the library.’
‘Where then? What do you mean, Elle?’
Her mind was in overdrive as the words left her mouth. ‘My mother lives in Glensheil.’
‘You’re kidding me!’ Irene picked up the letter and began to read. ‘What are the chances of that? Saturday – she wants to meet you on Saturday in Primrose Park.’
‘I feel sick with nerves. It’s all moving so quickly.’
‘I can’t believe she lives so close.’
‘I could have been walking past her in the street. This is surreal.’
‘That is a possibility.’
Elle wiped a lone tear away from her cheek with the back of hand. ‘I’m actually going to meet my real mother. Do you know what feels so calming about this?’
‘What’s that?’
‘That it’s here, in Heartcross, a place I feel so settled and safe in.’
Irene kissed the top of her head. ‘It’s all coming together.’
ChapterThirty-Two
Elle spent the rest of the week in an emotional state. Both Pippa and Aiden were patient with her, and she tried her best to keep busy, but her mind wasn’t on the job. The meeting with her mother was scheduled for the same day as Noah’s book signing at the library, which sadly couldn’t be helped. Pippa and Aiden had offered to organise it all, to take the pressure off Elle, and she was thankful that all she needed to do was turn up on the evening of the event.
Cora Hansley was constantly on Elle’s mind and she wondered if her biological mother was as nervous as she was. Elle had rehearsed many conversations in her head over and over again, trying to figure out what she would say when they came face to face, but knowing it would all probably go out of the window when they actually did.
Today was Thursday, which meant it was book club, and it would be the first time they’d seen Eleni since her miscarriage. Elle had bumped into Jack at the shops earlier in the week and he’d said she was coping well and throwing her energies into wedding plans, which sounded like a good thing.
Elle glanced at her watch: six p.m. Pippa was meeting her at book club as she’d gone out for tea with Aiden and Theo, and they would be dropping her off at Bonnie’s Teashop afterwards. She was meeting Irene at the bottom of the street in about ten minutes’ time and they were going to make a quick stop at the cemetery on their way. It was the anniversary of Neville’s death, and even though Elle had never met Irene’s husband, she felt he’d always been a part of her life since Irene had taken her under her wing.
Heading up the street, she saw Irene ahead talking to a man. After they finished their conversation, the man kissed her cheek and walked off in the opposite direction. Irene turned and waved at Elle.
‘You look nice.’ Elle gave her a smile.
‘New jacket. Not my usual colour but I thought I’d give it a go.’
‘It really suits you.’ Elle admired the jacket before changing the subject. ‘Who was that?’ she asked.
‘Just someone.’
‘What do you mean, “just someone”?’ Elle linked her arm through Irene’s.
‘Let’s talk,’ said Irene and they began to walk.
As they strolled past The Old Bakehouse and Bumblebee Cottage towards the church, a smile appeared on Irene’s face, followed by a tiny look of anguish.
‘Is everything okay?’
Irene took a deep breath. ‘I need advice,’ she said, taking a sideward glance at Elle.
