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She should be enjoying what time she had left with these people who had begun as strangers but who, she knew for sure, would always have a special place in her life.

She wouldn’t even have sent the email if it hadn’t been for Brooke’s encouragement.

She wouldn’t have started writing again if it hadn’t been for Elsie. But she knew she would continue. Ideas were already popping in her head, and she’d woken up in the night and made a few notes on the pad she still kept near her bed.

They’d changed her future.

Was it selfish of her to be delighted that they were going to stay for Christmas itself?

“I emailed Chrissie.” She’d planned to keep it to herself, but the stress of waiting was gnawing at her insides and she wanted the comfort of sharing. “She hasn’t replied.”

Brooke glanced up. “I hoped you would. But I suppose now you’re stressed out of your mind waiting for a response.”

“Maybe there won’t be a response. After such a long gap she is going to need to think about it. I hope I haven’t ruined her Christmas. Maybe my email will bring back a time she has been trying to block out.”

Brooke crossed the room and sat down next to her.

“Do you wish you’d never sent that email?”

“No.” Mabel managed a smile. “Even if there is only the slightest chance this might have a good outcome, I still think it’s the right thing to do because at least I’ll know.”

Izzy uncurled her legs, transferring her attention from the twinkly tree to Mabel.

“Aren’t you scared?”

Scared? That word didn’t come close to describing what she was feeling.

“I’m terrified, honey. I’m scared she won’t reply and that will feel worse. I’m scared she might reply negatively. There is no doubt that the safe option would have been to carry on as I have been for years.”

“You weren’t tempted by the safe option?”

“Of course. Why do you think it has taken me this long to reach out? I think if you hadn’t all crashed into my wall in the snow I probably would have carried on choosing the path of safety. But you being here has changed things.” And she was grateful for that. “I know there’s a strong chance I’ll be hurt all over again, but if that happens then I’ll handle it. It won’t be easy, but I’ll handle it. That’s what I’ve been doing all these years. But if there’s even the slightest chance that I could have Chrissie back in my life, even in a small way, then I’m going to take it. And if it doesn’t work out, at least I know that I tried.”

“Being here has changed things for me, too,” Brooke said. “If it hadn’t been for you, I never would have made that call to my mother. You gave me some insight into how she might be feeling and that helped.”

“It was brave of you to do that. Not easy, I know.”

“It wasn’t an easy conversation, but it was an important one. I hope things will be better now.”

Mabel stood up then and picked up the parcels she’d wrapped earlier.

“I have gifts for the girls. Something small. I wasn’t expecting guests, obviously, but I hope they’ll be pleased. Perhaps you could put them under the tree, ready for tomorrow.”

She’d wrapped them carefully, using silver paper because she knew Elsie loved silver. And she’d tied them with an emerald-green ribbon.

“Mabel!” Brooke leaned in and gave her a hug. “You didn’t have to do that. You’re very kind. I don’t know how we can ever thank you.”

Mabel knew she was the one who should be thanking them.

Without them, she never would have reached out to Chrissie.

And all she could do now was wait.

33

Brooke

Iwas really hoping she’d hear from Chrissie right away.” Brooke slid into bed next to Matt. “Was that stupidly optimistic of me?”