Since the party, Finn and Greg had been teaching us both sign language. We weren’t great but had at least added a few more useful words and sentences to our repertoire than just excellent curse ones. And, as Finn had explained, Alice did lip read too. I’d run the idea of coffee past him first and he’d assured me that his sister would be thrilled to be asked and, if needed, he could always go over and babysit.
Friday had rolled around faster than expected and a tap on the open door of my grotto that afternoon pulled me from my spreadsheet. Spreadsheets were the bane of my life. But spreadsheets on a Friday afternoon was just wrong. There ought to be a law against it. The distraction was, therefore, much welcomed and I looked up to see Bella. She was back to the original, more relaxed sartorial style she’d favoured before Finn had entered into our midst and she seemed happier, and more at ease, for it. The fact that Inis had agreed to hold her post open while she was on the dig, which she definitely was now to be part of, I knew was also a weight off her mind. I’d suggested, strongly, that she secure confirmation from Friedrich in writing and after a momentary look of horror she’d hurried off to do so. Bella was a knowledgeable member of the team and we’d miss her. Despite the original drama, or perhaps because of it, our own relationship was now more relaxed than it had been too.
‘You have visitors,’ she said, grinning again at my unrecognisable office. ‘You know, I think things definitely worked out for the best. I’m not sure how this would fit into my minimalist decorating aesthetic.’
‘The one thing it’s not is minimalist,’ I replied, laughing as I rose from behind my desk to go and greet the visitors she had alerted me to. I wasn’t expecting anyone so I hoped I hadn’t missed putting anything vital in my diary.
‘I hope you’re not disparaging my masterpiece,’ Finn responded as he came along the corridor, the heels of his smart shoes clicking on the flooring as he walked.
‘Would we?’ I asked, eyes wide with innocence.
‘If you thought I was out of earshot, quite possibly.’
I reached up as he stopped in front of us. ‘Not at all,’ I said and kissed his cheek. Past me had been so worried about what others thought, what was thought professional. But there was more to life, and finally, I got that. If anyone had a problem with me giving my boyfriend a quick peck on the cheek, after the amount of hours I put into this job, then they might well be the one with a problem. I’d never been arrogant, but I did know that I was damn good at my job and should I need to find another, it was unlikely to be as hard for me as it would be for the museum to find someone who was as dedicated and conscientious for the same salary.
‘There’s someone waiting for me in reception. See you in a bit.’
Bella walked part of the way back with me. ‘You make a really cute couple.’
‘Thanks,’ I said, my laugh slightly breathy. It was certainly new to be referred to as part of a ‘cute couple’, but Bella hadn’t been the only one to say so now that we’d met more of Finn and Greg’s friends. My colleague turned to head back to the archive where she’d been working.
‘I’ll see you later.’
I walked on towards the marbled reception area of the museum. Curly-haired men stared down from two plinths, wantonly uncaring that their bits and pieces were on show and had been for centuries. Admiring one of them with a surprising degree of intensity was my mother.
‘Mum?’
‘Oh, there you are! Hello, my love. How are you?’ She reached out and I went to her for the brief, perfunctory hug that was our usual greeting and was therefore surprised to find that this time she wrapped her arms closer around me and held me tighter for longer before letting go.
I stepped back. ‘Oh my God, you’re dying.’
14
Mum looked confused for a moment, then shook her head. ‘No darling, I’m not dying.’
‘Then it’s Dad. Dad’s got something awful!’ I felt the tears pricking at my eyes. I knew I should have made more effort to get down to Devon but I’d always harboured a niggling fear that they might slightly resent the intrusion into their quiet, retired but still resolutely academic, life.
My mother reached and took my hands in hers. I stared down at them.
‘Look at me, Lizzie.’
Reluctantly I raised my eyes to meet her own bright blue ones, framed by a pair of trendy new specs I didn’t recognise.
‘We are both fine. Fit as the proverbial flea.’
‘Are you sure?’
‘Yes,’ she pressed my hands gently in reassurance, ‘I’m sure.’
‘Then why are you here?’
Mum tilted her head to the side and the tears that had now subsided from my own eyes appeared in hers. ‘Oh dear. We really have made a mess of our relationship with you, haven’t we?’
‘What?’ I squeezed her hands back, probably a little harder than I meant to but the crack in her voice reverberated deep in my soul.
‘We’re your parents, Lizzie. There shouldn’t have to be a reason for a visit.’
‘No, no I know. It’s just, well. Devon’s not exactly round the corner.’
