“Home sweet home.” I lift her ridiculously large suitcase out of the back seat and wheel it around the side of the house. When I turn, she’s still standing by the car, gazing up at the pillars on the wraparound porch. “Are you coming?”
Her heels click behind me as she follows me around the back of the property. “Don’t you use a front door like normal people?”
“You can stay in the pool room.”
“Wait. You live in a mansion and you’re shoving me in the pool room?” She sucks in a breath as she comes face-to-face with the view of the back of the house. I follow her gaze over the pool, then the pool house that overlooks the hill with spectacular sea views.
“I’ve never known you to be speechless, Merryssa.” I chuckle to myself, my chest swelling with pride at what I’ve accomplished here.
“It’s beautiful. Your pool room is bigger than my house in London.”
“You didn’t think I’d own one of the biggest development companies in the south and live in a two-bedroom rental like our son did you?” I stand the case up while I unlock the patio doors to the pool room. I don’t know why I called it a pool room, probably because it used to be the showers and changing area until I extended it to a full guest house, hoping Finn would want to move in with me. It was somewhere for him to have his own space and enjoy his hobbies, but when he moved to Magnolia Point, he chose to rent his own place near the marina.
I knew it was a long shot, but the pain of him turning down my offer still stings sometimes. Maybe that’s why I was adamant Merry stayed in it this time. I couldn’t take another rejection from my own family. Even though we’re not together, she’ll always be the closest thing I have to a family. Co-parenting our son hasn’t been easy, but Merryssa has always been the voice of reason, and the glue that’s held mine and Finn’s relationship together, even if we are hanging on by a thread.
Dragging the case over the threshold, I give her a tour of the pool house. “Living room.” I wave my hand to the left as we walk through the open-plan space. “Kitchen, dining area. And the bedrooms are down the hall.”
“This is stunning. It looks brand new. Did you have this built especially for me?” She laughs as if it’s a joke.
“Not you, exactly.” I scratch the back of my neck. “I had it built for Finn when he moved to town, but he didn’t even look at the space. He’d already sorted out his own rental accommodations near the marina.”
Her fingers glide along the light-blue walls as she wanders down the corridor. “You built this for our son?” She comes to a door and pulls down on the silver handle. “What’s in here?”
“Oh, that’s just an empty room.”
The light from the afternoon sun pours in through the large bay window that overlooks the sea. A stack of art supplies andblank canvases rest against the corner of the room, gathering dust.
Merry’s sparkling eyes wither at the lonely gifts. “Show him this, Alex. He thinks you don’t value or appreciate his art or life choices.”
“Perhaps I didn’t. I thought it was just a hobby, but I’ve always known he had talent. Selfishly, I hoped he’d join and inherit the family business. But I see now we just don’t share the same passions. I couldn’t be more proud of him for standing up to me and doing his own thing. He reminds me of you in that way.”
Merry runs a soft hand down my arm, causing the hairs to stand to attention there. “You should tell him how you feel. He thinks he’s a disappointment to you.”
“Honestly, Merry, I couldn’t be prouder. You did a great job of raising our son. He’s turned out well thanks to you. I hardly had anything to do with it.”
“You don’t give yourself enough credit. Despite not being around much, you loved him and that’s the main thing.” Her hand grazes my arm with a whimsical smile on her face. “I’ll unpack and get ready for our dinner reservations.”
I stand in the empty space looking out at the view. The best view in Magnolia Point, but I’d trade it all to go back in time and be more present.
It’s only now I’m in my fifties, I realise the true cost of what I have achieved. I have enough money to buy anything I want, except the only thing I want.
Time.
I straighten my tie as I step inside The Mad Vine restaurant. I’m usually cool as a cucumber, but tonight, having dinner with my son’s future in-laws has me on edge. Or is it that my ex-wife is also here that has my palms sweating?
Meeting Merryssa at the airport today was my idea. Not only to help my son out and try to build a better relationship with him, but I selfishly wanted to spend some time alone with her after all these years. Call it curiosity. The woman has my respect and admiration, as well as my heart.
Finn waves us over to a large round table in the corner of the room. I follow Merryssa as she meanders through the cosy space, weaving through the wooden tables and pillars covered in green vines and fairy lights.
I raise my hand and wave back, letting Finn know I’ve spotted him.
Merry rushes over and wraps her arms around him, even though she only saw him a few hours ago.
Something in my chest stutters. I’m taken back twenty years as the woman I loved smiles at our son. The same beaming smile she once had for me, full of hope and happiness. I didn’t get a chance to take in her beauty at the airport today or while I drove her to Magnolia Point, but I see her now. A fine woman aged to perfection like a vintage wine or a good single malt.
Shelly’s parents stand to greet me.
“Nice to meet you again, Mrs. Myrtle.” I hold my hand out, but she pulls me in for a hug. The bangles on her arm jingle as she rubs at my back over the blue suit I’m wearing.
