‘Yes. Exactly like that, Tawrie, and here we are, a thousand years later, and I still don’t like to be apart from him. I would still rather sit somewhere with my hand in his than anything else on earth. We take care of each other.’
‘I can see you do, every day, and I love how you laugh together and at each other.’
‘We do. Laughing is important. It helps get you through the tough times, the challenges. We’ve learned that taking care of each other isn’t only a physical thing; it’s not just going to fetch a blanket.’
Tawrie pictured the moment Ed had tucked the blue wool blanket around her legs, making sure she was warm, taking care of her, and her stomach rolled with pure happiness at the memory.
Maudie wasn’t done. ‘Driving safely, preparing food, giving medicine, they’re all important, but it’s about taking care of each other’s mental health too. Not easy in this world with all its pressures, but we’ve always made sure we don’t add to the burden, we’re kind to each other. We’re reliable. We provide a haven.’
Tawrie felt the sting of emotion that swelled in her throat. It was a beautiful sentiment.
‘And I wish for you every bit of love and luck that the universe can gather. I want it all for you, Tawrie. You are a smashing young woman.’
‘Thank you, Maudie.’ Her words were as touching as they were sincere. ‘What happened to Gerald McIntosh?’
‘Who knows?’ Maudie laughed and pulled through the water, off to swim alongside her great love. ‘But he missed out on me and for that alone we should pity him, because I’m quite wonderful!’
Yeah, you are!Tawrie watched as Maudie caught up with her lover of a thousand years.
Tentatively she walked through the front door of Signal House, unsure, in that moment, if she wanted to face the other Gunn women. It was different to confiding in Maudie, who was a little removed from the situation. She was wary of filling Freda with expectations that might set the gossip train in motion, knowing that would only feel like a pressure, because despite her strength of feeling and earlier conversation with Maudie, it was still early days. Very early days. And when it came to her mother, she didn’t want her involved in any way, knowing her knack of sarcastically stomping on the roots of anything that brought Tawrie joy, whether intentionally or not. Her mother’s behaviour was also unsavoury, grubby, and she didn’t want what she and Ed shared to be sullied by association. Not that this realisation made her happy; it didn’t. Quite the opposite, in fact.
Her nan was washing dishes in the kitchen and for a moment Tawrie watched from the sitting room, through the wide doorway where the door was permanently propped open as the older womanplunged her hands into the deep dome of suds in the sink before lining the plates up in the wooden rack that graced the draining board.
‘Is that you, Tawrie?’ Freda called over her shoulder.
She should have known any plans to avoid detection would fail miserably. ‘Yep. It’s me, Nan.’ She walked over and placed her palms on her nan’s shoulders. The woman turned her head and kissed the back of her hand. An act so loving, so tender that, with thoughts of her mother’s sordid habits still lingering in her mind, Tawrie greatly appreciated.
‘Where’ve you been, love, out for your swim?’
‘Yep, just got back.’
‘And how was your date? Connie’s already texted to ask if I’ve seen you yet!’
It might, she realised, already be a little late to stop the gossip train from leaving the station.
‘It was lovely. Really lovely. We sat and talked and laughed and I’m seeing him again tonight.’
‘Tonight?’ Freda whipped round and placed one bubble-covered hand over her mouth. ‘Goodness me! That’s a bit keen, isn’t it?’
‘I guess.’ She shrugged, going for coy, trying to hide the flames of delight that she was sure shot from her.
‘Is he lovely?’ Her nan looked at her earnestly. ‘Cos he needs to be.’
‘He is lovely.’
Freda nodded and reached for Tawrie’s hands, which she held in both of her soggy ones.
‘You deserve the best. You’re the most wonderful granddaughter; your dad would be so proud.’ This was the trigger for her nan’s face to crumble with distress. In a practised response, Tawrie stood tall and swallowed her own surge of sadness, being strong for her nana, allowing the old woman to metaphorically fold her into her lap.
‘I’ve got to go and get changed for work, Nan, will you be okay?’ She hated leaving her like this.
‘Course I will. You go get ready, little love. I’m going to do my crossword.’
As she trod the half landing, her mother came out of her bedroom.
‘You coming in or going out?’ Annalee asked as she leaned on the wall; her whole body seemed to wobble with the effort of staying upright.
‘Both.’
