‘I was given up at birth and passed between foster families. For years I battled with my own demons – feeling like I was never wanted – and I never stayed in one place long enough to make any real friends. It was Irene’s love and care that saved me. That sounds dramatic, I know, but it’s true.’
‘It must have been tough.’
‘It was. I learned to go under the radar at school, and I struggled. It was Irene who discovered I couldn’t read.’
‘You couldn’t read?’ Noah looked astounded. ‘You work in a library.’
Elle smiled. ‘It wasn’t that difficult to hide. I’d changed schools so many times that no one ever noticed, and I learned to get by.’
‘Gosh, Elle, I can’t imagine what you’ve been going through all these years,’ he said, leaning towards her and touching her knee, like it was the most natural thing in the world.
‘Irene is a very special person. If it wasn’t for her…’ Elle felt the emotion welling up inside her, just as it always did whenever she thought about Irene’s kindness and love for her. ‘She taught me to read, and she’s helped me to overcome so many barriers in life – she built up my self-esteem and taught me I was enough even though I always felt there was a piece of me missing. I will be eternally grateful for that.’
‘It sounds like everyone needs an Irene in their life.’ Noah smiled.
‘They sure do. I started the search for my biological mother on my birthday and shortly after, the Salvation Army confirmed they’d found her. It came as quite a shock – I’d convinced myself it would take years to track her down. She wrote me a letter explaining why she had no choice but to give me away. I always wondered what type of person could give up their newborn baby, but when I read the letter, I realised I shouldn’t ever have judged what I didn’t understand.’
‘I think that’s something we’re all guilty of from time to time, but life is never simple.’
Elle nodded. ‘Cora Hansley – that’s my biological mum’s name – started looking for me on the same day I started my search for her.’
‘What a coincidence,’ Noah said softly.
‘It was the second of February – my birthday.’
‘It sounds like she never forgot you.’
‘In her letter she said that not a day goes by without her thinking about me.’
‘So, what happens now?’ Noah asked.
‘We’ve both agreed that we want to meet up.’
‘How are you feeling about that?’
‘Scared, excited, nervous, physically sick. What if she doesn’t like me?’
With a smile, Noah rolled his eyes. ‘Elle, who on earth wouldn’t like you? You’re beautiful, warm, funny … the list is endless.’
She could feel herself blush at his kind words. ‘Thank you. It’s all just a waiting game now,’ she replied.
‘Come here.’ Noah stretched his arms out and Elle hugged him.
‘I think you needed that,’ he whispered and softly kissed the top of her head.
‘I think you might be right.’ She pulled away and felt his hand drop to the small of her back. They stared into the dancing flames of the fire and sat in silence for a moment.
‘What about you? What’s next for you?’ asked Elle.
‘It’s mainly work, work, work. When I’m not writing, I’m editing, and when I’m not editing, I’m promoting.’
‘That sounds very busy.’
‘It is.’
‘So it’s all work and no play?’ she added, lifting one shoulder and playfully bumping it against his.
His eyes sparkled. ‘No play at all lately.’
