Chapter 41
‘Mum, I’d like you to come and visit, on your own.’
‘Is everything all right, Megan?’ The anxiety in her mum’s voice was evident.
‘Yes, fine. I’d just like to see you.’
‘Right, I’ll come tomorrow.’ There was a pause. ‘You sure you’re OK?’
‘Yes, honestly.’
Megan had decided on her return from Royal Ascot that she needed to tell her mum everything. On their journey home, she and Tobias had discussed it again at length. He had agreed with her, and it felt reassuring to know he was behind her. She had grown accustomed to his sound judgement and felt totally at ease in his company. The night they had spent together would remain forever etched in her memory, and it had been magical waking up next to him. They had gone down to breakfast hand in hand like it was an everyday occurrence, oblivious to the attention they had attracted, totally lost in each other. Megan hadn’t felt so happy in a long time, and neither, it appeared, had Tobias. The only nagging apprehension, which refused to disappear, was the issue of Ted and her mum. She took the Parma violet tin from under her bed where the letters and photographs had been kept. Tomorrow she would show them to her mum. Once the revelation had sunk in, Megan wanted her to visit Ted, but she was nervous about the outcome, knowing how close her mum had been to Granddad Michael. Her mum’s world was about to be turned upside down.
The next day her mum’s car pulled up outside Megan’s cottage late morning. Megan flung open the door to greet her.
‘Mum!’ It was so good to see her.
‘Megan, come here.’ She opened her arms and embraced her in a bear hug. ‘Now what’s all this about?’ She looked warily at her daughter.
‘Come in.’ Megan avoided the question and carried her mother’s overnight bag into the hallway. ‘I’ll put the kettle on,’ she called over her shoulder. Her mum took in the freshly decorated surroundings.
‘This all looks lovely.’ Her eyes darted around the room before joining Megan in the kitchen.
‘Thanks. I’ve brought back some of Finula’s shortbread from The Templar.’
‘Oh, that looks good. How is work in the pub?’ She sat down at the kitchen table.
‘Great. I really enjoy working there and the staff are nice, especially Finula and her dad, Dermot.’
‘I’m so glad you’ve settled in love.’
After an hour of drinking tea and catching up, Megan got the tin and placed it in front of her mum. ‘What’s this?’ Her mum frowned, vaguely recognising her mother’s favourite perfume.
‘I found this in the attic. It was in the middle of the floor. I think I was meant to find it.’ Her mum looked up, puzzled. ‘I want you to read what’s inside it. There are letters, to Gran… and photographs.’ Taking the tin, her mum forced off the lid. Megan got up from the table. ‘I’m going to leave you alone to read them. I’ll be back shortly.’ She touched her mum’s hand and left. Feeling the need to give her mum some space, she decided to go to The Templar, and as she entered the pub her mood lifted immediately.
‘Hi, Megan!’ called Finula behind the bar.
‘Hi ya.’ Megan pulled up a stool and sat opposite her. ‘Can I have a cappuccino?’
‘Coming up.’ As Finula prepared the coffee she glanced over her shoulder with a huge grin. ‘So, how was Royal Ascot?’
‘Wonderful, thanks.’
‘And… the night of passion with Tobias?’ she beamed.
‘Even better,’ Megan replied without a flinch.
‘Megan Taylor!’ Finula pretended to be shocked and passed her cappuccino over.
Megan laughed and took a sip, then eyed Finula pensively. ‘It’s about time we found you a nice man, Finula.’
Sighing, Finula agreed. ‘I know, but who? Besides, this place takes up most of my time.’
‘Hmm, ever thought of internet dating?’
Finula wrinkled her nose. ‘Not really. I prefer to meet people in the flesh.’
‘A blind date?’
