Irene laughed.
‘Those beautiful roses are from Florrie and Aiden brought in a cake decorated like the library. Which reminds me. I’ve not told you yet but we have a new member of staff. Aiden from Inverness has transferred to our library. You’ll have met him on training courses.’
‘I remember. He’s a lovely lad.’
‘Everyone has just been fantastic, but…’ Elle blew out a breath.
‘You’ve always had something or someone in the back of your mind on your birthdays,’ Irene said, leaning across and touching Elle’s knee.
Elle nodded. ‘I’ve been thinking a lot recently about who I am. It’s not just about the woman who gave birth to me – even though that’s a huge part – it’s also about knowing who I truly am. Does that sound daft?’
Irene shook her head. ‘Of course it doesn’t sound daft. It’s very understandable.’
‘This past year, I’ve been happier than I’ve ever been before,’ Elle shared. ‘I have a fantastic job, my own home and of course you.’
‘I know.’ Irene nodded. ‘But…’
‘But…’
‘There are questions you need answered – about your mother.’
‘Yes,’ Elle replied softly, nodding. ‘It’s the right time.’ She lightly thumped her chest. ‘In here, there’s a dull ache that never goes away. On some days the ache is a little less but on my birthday it intensifies. It’s hard to explain but as time is passing, it’s beginning to get worse. Over the last few years, I’ve become more emotionally balanced. My life has settled down. I have stability and I know that’s down to you and my friends in Heartcross.’
Irene cupped her hands over Elle’s.
‘And then there’s Eleni and Jack.’
‘What do they have to do with anything?’ Irene asked.
‘They’re getting married, embarking on the next stage of their life, and I want the fairy tale, the happy-ever-after, too, but I feel I need some sort of closure about my past before I can look forward to my future.’
‘I can understand that.’
‘Irene, I’ve set the wheels in motion. Today, after work, I sent the form to the Salvation Army and started the search for my mother.’
‘Oh Elle, that’s good news, hopefully.’ Irene’s eyes welled up with tears.
‘Yes, but I’m a little worried about us too.’
‘Us? As in you and me? Why?’
Elle paused for a second. ‘Because everyone who’s come into our lives in the last few years thinks you’re my mum. How are you going to feel when people begin to discover the truth?’
‘This is about what’s best for you, and whatever happens, I’ll be with you every step of the way. You know I will.’
Elle’s voice faltered a little as she blinked through tears. ‘Thank you.’
‘It’ll all be okay, you know.’
‘I hope so. It’s the first thing on my mind in the morning and the last thing I think about before I go to sleep.’
‘It’s definitely time then,’ Irene said reassuringly.
A tear rolled down Elle’s cheek. ‘I know it sounds daft, but I feel like I’m a jigsaw puzzle that’s waiting to be completed, and there are two more pieces to fit in.’
‘Two?’ Irene prompted.
Elle hesitated. ‘Maybe finding my mother will lead me to discover who my father is too.’
