‘Oh! Well done. I don’t think I knew what I was doing at all,’ Deb chuckled.
‘You’ll get there, dear. Remember, life is like cards. It just takes patience, learning the rules and then making the game work for you.’ Gretchen winked. ‘The great irony of life is that when you finally understand it, you’re too old to enjoy it in the way you want to. I can’t remember who said it, butif I knew what I know now, and still had those legs.’ Gretchen smiled ruefully.
‘It sounds like you did quite enjoy your legs, though. Unlike the Little Mermaid.’
‘Ah, I did. I did,’ Gretchen laughed. ‘I’ve enjoyed my life, and I enjoyed my figure, when I had it. And I enjoyed being a mother. But, listen, dear. That can still happen for you, if you want it. I adopted my daughter, remember. And if you don’t end up being a mother, then that’s also completely fine. It’s not the only thing there is in life for women. You’re a smart girl. You know that.’ She looked at Deb as if she was checking if Deb reallydidknow that.
‘I know,’ Deb agreed. ‘Thanks, Gretchen.’
‘You’re welcome. Remember, you’re not a character in a fairy tale. Not a princess or a mermaid or a helpless little fairy. You are a grown woman, and you’re strong and capable.’ Gretchen pushed the plate of cake over the table towards Deb. ‘Come on, now. Eat up. There’s nothing on you.’
Deb felt that, although she was a strong and capable woman, it would be unwise to disagree with Gretchen Ross. She helped herself to another slice.
‘Hm. Now, go and pop the kettle on for me, would you, dear? I’m parched.’ Gretchen sat back in her chair, looking tired. ‘And then, I might need to say adieu; I’m in need of a nap after all that high-stakes game playing.’
‘Of course. It was kind of you to have me over,’ Deb said, getting up and taking the tea things into the kitchenette.
‘Not at all, darling. Not at all.’ Gretchen yawned. ‘It’s good to have young friends. Keeps me youthful and sharp. I recommend it, when you’re old.’
‘I’ll bear that in mind.’ Deb smiled to herself. If she made it to Gretchen’s age, and she was half as bright and charming, then she would consider that a life well lived.
And, the conversation had helped her put the thought of children into perspective: Gretchen was right. It was a great thing to be a mother, but it wasn’t theonlything one could be. And that made her pull her thoughts and feelings aboutthe hysterectomy together into a more settled and harmonious place.
Spending so much time with Gretchen made Deb think again of her grandma Elise. She hadn’t been able to stop thinking about what Janice had said, or rather what she didn’t say. Janice had said her grandmother shouldn’t have had children, but clearly there was more to that story. Deb was determined to find out what Janice was keeping from her.
ELEVEN
‘That’s really good. I couldn’t put it down.’ A voice over her shoulder made Deb jump, and she looked around her in dismay.
Kyle Abernethy was standing behind her, his hands in his pockets.
‘Oh. It’s you,’ she said, without thinking.
‘Indeed. And it’s you.’ He gave her an amused look.
‘What are you doing here?’ she demanded, and then realised how stupid that was.Looking for a book, presumably.
‘I didn’t mean to startle you. I just recognised the book, and I always think a personal recommendation is worth more than a cover blurb. You know, with those – when it says “Brilliant” or whatever on the cover? I heard that the publishers have to use a quote from a person, but, say that someone’s review was “this isn’t brilliant”, they can still cherry pick the “Brilliant” part and put it on the cover, with the newspaper that said it, or whatever. Technically, it’s not wrong.’ Was it her imagination, or was Kyle talking too much? He cleared his throat. ‘Anyway…’ he trailed off.
Was he nervous?
‘I’ll bear that in mind.’ The book Deb had picked up was a spooky Victorian thriller set in an asylum. ‘You like this kind of thing?’
‘Yeah. Big reader.’ He nodded. ‘Kyle Abernethy.’ He held out his hand, and she shook it with the hand that wasn’t holding a book.
‘I know,’ Deb chuckled. ‘I do recognise you, you know. We’ve met twice before.’
‘Well, I just wanted to make sure you knew who I was. Nothing worse than someone assuming and chattering on and then you go past the point of being able to ask.’
‘Duly noted. Deb Sutherland.’
‘The party planner.’
‘Indeed.’
‘Listen… I know that I was quite rude to you, the first time. I was stressed. Wasn’t an excuse to take it out on you. I should have said something when we were at Gyle Head the other day, but actually it was just such a lovely day, it sort of slipped my mind.’
‘Oh. Well, that’s nice of you to say.’ Deb was a little taken aback: more so because as she shook Kyle’s hand, a jolt of powerful energy zinged between them. Her eyes widened a little as she looked up into his.What was that?she wondered.
