‘Do me a favour.’
‘A tall, dark stranger needs to walk into this bar—’
‘And I say, “Of all the gin joints, in all the towns, in all the world, you had to walk into mine,”’ interrupted Finula, and they both fell about laughing. After a few moments Megan looked at her best friend with real affection.
‘Seriously, Fin, you’re wasted on your own.’ Damn Nick Fletcher. They chatted until Megan looked at her watch and thought she’d given her mum enough time. She finished her coffee, said goodbye to Finula and left.
Megan returned home to find her mum staring into space on the sofa. ‘You OK, Mum?’ She settled next to her and linked arms.
‘I think so.’ She was clutching the photograph of Edward in uniform.
‘He looks like me, doesn’t he?’ Megan said gently.
‘Undeniably so.’ With a steady breath, Megan filled in all the pieces: Ted living next door, Tobias finding Grace’s photograph, his visit to Ted in the nursing home and finally Ted’s story of the soldier who came home, but too late
‘I had no idea,’ her mum choked, a tear falling down her face.
‘None at all?’ Megan still found it incredulous that she’d never even suspected.
‘Absolutely not. My dad meant everything to me.’ Her shoulders started to shake.
‘And his memory still does, Mum. Nothing changes in that respect. Granddad Michael was a wonderful person who loved you and Gran unconditionally. Me and Chris, too.’ Megan spoke firmly, fighting back the tears.
‘Yes, you’re right. Poor Ted, what a life he’s had.’
‘Mum, I want you to see Ted.’
‘Yes, of course,’ she gulped. Then turning to face Megan she asked, ‘Why didn’t she tell me?’
‘I don’t know, perhaps because you were so close to Granddad. She didn’t want to hurt anyone.’
‘Then why let you find these?’ She pointed to the letters on the side table.
‘I think she only decided to reveal the truth when she knew she was dying. Me finding the letters must have seemed the most logical solution. I suspect in her own way she was letting me decide whether or not to tell you. Do you think I made the right decision?’
‘I do, but I’m not sure it should have been your responsibility.’ There was a steely edge to her voice, one that Megan understood.
Megan arranged for her mum to meet up with Ted at the nursing home the following afternoon. Choosing not to be present, respecting the space the two of them would need, she dropped her mum off at the entrance.
‘I’ll walk back, Megan.’
‘Yes, of course,’ she replied, appreciating the time alone her mum needed.
Megan drove home in silent contemplation. She badly wanted to speak to her dad and brother, but then thought perhaps it was better if her mum told them first. She felt a sudden wave of home sickness. Although she’d settled in Treweham, she missed the daily chats she used to have with Chris. She also missed Kate, her friend from the office. They had exchanged text messages regularly, but the topic of Adam was forever lurking in the background. Megan did and didn’t want to know what he was up to. It was a strange feeling and Kate obviously wouldn’t broach the subject unless asked.
The rest of the afternoon was spent in a bit of a blur, constantly wondering how it was going with Ted and her mum. Should she go over to the nursing home and find out? Just then she heard her mum open the door. She waited with baited breath for her to enter the sitting room. Expecting her to be emotional, she was surprised to find her in quite good spirits.
‘Well, that went really well,’ her mum smiled.
‘I’m glad.’
‘What a lovely man. I’m bringing Chris and Dad to meet him.’
‘Good. It’ll be great to see them,’ Megan smiled back.
‘Megan, this can’t have been easy for you. Thanks, love.’ She stretched her arms out and Megan fell into them, hugging her hard.
