‘Where were we? Ah yes… “apologise unreservedly for my rude remarks to Hayley and hope she can forgive me. I wasn’t in the best place when I said those things. Losing your dad has been the most horrible experience of my life, but I don’t want to make things any worse by losing contact with you all and not being part of Elsie’s life. I miss him every day, as I’m sure you do. Your dad would be so sad that things have come to this. I’m not saying this to make you feel bad, but because you know it’s true. He never got to meet Elsie, who he would have absolutely adored, so I want, and need, to be there for her, on behalf of both of us. He’s a part of her too.I really hope that you will let me back into your lives one day, hopefully soon, and we can start all over again. All my love, Mum.”’
‘Do you think that will do the trick?’ Maddie looked up at the others, who both seemed to have something in their eye.
Charlotte wiped her tears with a tissue.
‘If it doesn’t, they’ve got hearts of stone.’
Sofia fetched her iPad from inside the room.
‘So, if we’re all agreed, let’s send it now. It won’t take me a minute to type it out. Do you know your login and password?’
‘Don’t I need to send it from my own computer?’
‘Nope, as long as you’ve got the details.’
In her mind, Maddie was waiting until she got home to send it. Maybe give it another read through. Fiddle about with it a bit.
‘I’m not sure about sending it tonight.’
Sofia fired up the device.
‘There’s no point in waiting. That child will be walking in a minute. Let’s get on with it now. They’re two hours behind in England, so it’s already eleven in the evening there. He probably won’t see it until tomorrow, depending on how regularly he checks his personal emails.’
Maddie looked at Charlotte for reassurance. As the cautious one, she might back her up.
‘I agree with Sof. You’ve got nothing to lose. It can’t make things any worse, and it just might improve the situation.’
‘OK, I accept that I’m outnumbered two to one. Here, I’ll write down the details.’
Sofia typed like a madwoman, pressed send and leapt up out of her seat as her phone buzzed in her bag for the second time.
Maddie indicated down at the bag.
‘Got somewhere to be, have you?’
‘I have, as a matter of fact.’
‘Don’t forget clean pants and a toothbrush.’
‘Ha ha, I actually have things at the hotel and at Adonis’s flat.’
‘Have you now? Very organised.’
‘I can hardly wander around Adonis’s hotel looking like a wild animal.’
The disdainful look on the face of the attractive receptionist sprang into Maddie’s mind. She wouldn’t need much of a reason to disapprove of her friend.
‘Of course not.’
‘Leave her alone, Mads. I think it’s romantic. Grabbing any available minute she can with her man.’
‘Yes, it is sweet. I’m probably a teeny bit jealous.’
Maddie pulled her friends in for a hug.
‘Before you go… Thank you both for helping me with the email. I feel a bit sick at the idea that it’s already gone and it’s winging its way across seas and countries at this very moment…’
Sofia snorted.
