Ginny had never felt so left out before. She wasn’t even given the opportunity to say a proper goodbye. She swallowed hard, attempting to focus on her conversation with Samuel. It was quite annoying how her emotions were chopping and changing every five minutes since her mother’s death. ‘Erm, so . . .’ She’d lost her train of thought.
‘Hey, you okay?’ Samuel reached across the table to hold her hand.
‘Yeah, sorry, my mind just wandered.’
His soft smile was filled with sympathy. ‘Your mum?’
Ginny shrugged. ‘Feels weird, Sam.’
‘I know. When I lost my parents, I was all over the place for ages. Grief doesn’t have any rules. We just have to take it one day at a time.’
‘I would have liked to have had some sort of memorial service for her. Just a gathering in my house or something. Nothing fancy. Just a goodbye, of sorts. Oh, I don’t know.’
Samuel nodded. ‘You can still do that. You don’t need ashes or coffins. You just have your own moment where you say goodbye. Perhaps play a song, or put a small plaque on a bench, maybe you could plant a rose bush in your garden and say a prayer or something.’
He had a point, and it might make her feel better if she did say a few words, but it wasn’t what her mum wanted. Birdy had been specific in her instructions, and none of it included Ginny.
‘Maybe I can hang up a birdhouse in her memory.’
Samuel took a mouthful of tea, then smiled softly. ‘Why was she called Birdy?’
‘It was a nickname her mother had given her. No one knew why, but it stuck.’
‘Well, I think a birdhouse in your garden is a great idea.’
‘I’ll wait until I move.’
Samuel’s amber eyes flashed her way. ‘I didn’t know you were moving. Lottie’s not said.’
‘Oh, I’ve been mulling it over, but now I’ve made up my mind. I want to go inland. Buy a farmhouse. Have a bit of land out back for rescue chickens. Maybe a rescue donkey.’
Samuel laughed. ‘A donkey?’
‘Maybe.’ She grinned, then sipped her tea.
‘Hey, in all seriousness, it’s nice you have this idea, but don’t you think you should wait a while before making any moves? What I mean to say is, is it wise to change your life while you’re grieving?’
Ginny knew where he was coming from, but she felt her life had changed regardless, so what difference would anything make now? ‘I’ve already made my mind up, and I’m going to see the estate agents next week to put my house and flat on the market.’ She pointed at the ceiling. ‘I’d rather just get on with things.’
The thought of her new home, rescuing animals, and not staring out to sea each morning and night wondering where her soulmate was would do her the world of good. At least, she hoped it would.
‘Well, if you’re sure.’ Samuel glanced around. ‘I can help you move when the time comes, so make sure you let me know.’ Hetipped his head to peer at her. ‘You’re not alone, Ginny. We’ll all help you, you know that, right?’
She looked up and smiled at the kindness coming her way. ‘Yeah, I know, chick. And just so you know, I am definitely not alone, as I now have my mum’s cat to look after.’ She huffed while shaking her head. ‘I tried to give her back to the lady Mum got her from, but she was having none of it. So, first rescue animal, tick.’
‘I told Lottie I saw a black moggy in our garden yesterday. I bet that was her.’
‘Probably. As soon as a door or window opens, she’s out. I’ll be glad once she’s older and I don’t have to worry so much.’
Samuel laughed. ‘I felt that way about my little sister.’
‘Ooh, how is Hannah getting on since you moved out?’
‘Good. Felix and his brother moved in with her, and they seem happy enough.’
‘Oh, yes, I forgot Felix helps care for Rupert. Aww, bless him. I don’t know how I’d get on with three missing limbs.’
‘It’s quite surprising how we cope with the crap life throws our way.’
