He hadn’t realised it before now, but knew she was right. ‘I thought I’d bring you to the place I come to when everything gets a bit overwhelming.’ He indicated left and two minutes later was parked in the small car park near Battery Moltke, a tourist attraction that made up a section of a series of bunkers and gun placements for artillery to the south of Les Landes, built during the occupation of the island during World War Two.
They got out of the car and Joe led her the short way down a path through the gorse to stand on the top of a ridge. ‘There,’ he said, pointing proudly at the same view he had just driven past. ‘This is a better viewpoint.’
He waited while she stared at the incredible view with Corbiere lighthouse at the other side of the bay, the several Napoleonic granite towers dotted along the coast all now standing behind the sea wall built as part of Hitler’s Atlantic wall.
‘It’s so incredibly beautiful,’ Skye murmured. ‘And wild. I can see why you love it so much.’
‘And maybe why it reminds me that my problems really aren’t that big after all. There’s so much more to the world and our place in it than me. I always feel better seeing this.’
‘And listening to the waves at night?’ she asked, gazing up at him.
He liked that she had thought of that. ‘Yes, that too.’ Deciding he should probably get Skye back to the farm, he took her hand. ‘Shall we go back now?’
‘Yes,’ she said. ‘I think I need some time to sit quietly and think about everything that’s happened this morning.’ She looked up at him with an intensity in her face that made his stomach clench. ‘I really appreciate everything you’ve done for me, Joe. And for being with me every step of the way. I couldn’t have done this without you.’
He put his arms around her. ‘You could have. You’re certainly strong enough, but I’m glad you don’t have to.’
‘So am I.’
30
SKYE
Skye sat in her room, staring out of the window at the view across the fields. What a morning it had been. Life-changing. Wanting to share her news with Gran, she decided to give her a call.
‘But that’s incredible,’ Gran exclaimed when Skye finished telling her all about meeting with Sandra and then with Carlos. ‘To think that he knew nothing about you all this time. Although, I hope you don’t mind me saying, but I think that was unfair of Annie not to have told him she was pregnant with you. Or even after you were born, or when you were little. It doesn’t sound like her and I can’t help wondering what happened between the two of them to make her keep your birth a secret from the man you say she seemed so happy with, at least in that photograph Sandra showed you.’
Skye had been thinking exactly the same thing. ‘It doesn’t sound at all like Mum.’ She gave her comment further thought and, recalling all the times her mother changed the subject or got miffed when Skye broached the subject of her father, began to change her mind. ‘Actually, I think Mum made up her mind when they broke up that she was going to keep me for herself. And that’s exactly what she did.’
Neither of them mentioned how often Annie forgot about spending time with her when she was a little girl, or when she was older for that matter. ‘Who knows.’
‘The most important thing you need to focus on,’ Gran said, ‘is your relationship with Carlos going forward. No one can change the past, so it’s pointless fretting about what-might-have-beens.’
‘That’s true. Oh, and did I mention I have three half-brothers? I’ve only met Bruno, of course, but he seemed lovely and not fazed about discovering he has an older sister.’
Her gran didn’t reply immediately and Skye was about to ask her what was on her mind, when she spoke. ‘I presume you’ll ask Carlos or Bruno to take a DNA test, just to be certain?’
‘I suppose so,’ Skye said. ‘But if Carlos was the only man in Mum’s life back then I’m not sure whether it’s necessary.’ She told her grandmother about finding his name in the notebook.
‘Ah, I see. That does change things then.’
She thought so too. ‘I wish Sandra was back from holiday so I could ask her more questions about Mum.’
‘Try not to expect too much. It’s clear your mum kept things from those close to her.’ Skye knew her gran probably struggled to accept that Annie had kept so much from her. ‘She probably kept more secrets from Sandra.’
‘True. I’ll try to keep a check on my expectations.’
‘I don’t want to put a downer on things, sweetheart. I’m just trying to think of all eventualities so you can protect yourself against getting hurt. Your mother did enough of that to you while she was here.’
Skye knew that if anyone else heard Gran speak in this way they might think it harsh, but she was used to her directness and preferred people to say what was on their mind. After so many years of her mother avoiding awkward conversations, it was the way she preferred people to deal with her.
‘I know, and I love you for caring about me so much. Thank you.’
‘No need to thank me, love. You’re a wonderful girl and deserve only the best.’ She hesitated, then added an obvious smile in her voice. ‘Talking about the best, how are you getting along with that firefighter chap? He sounds as if he’s taking good care of you.’
‘He is,’ Skye said, her heart racing at the thought of him. ‘Although, as you know, I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself.’
‘That you are, Little Miss Independent,’ Gran said, making Skye smile. ‘I’d better go, dear. I have a pie in the oven and I have a horrible feeling it’s catching. I’ve invited a couple of friends for supper and they won’t be impressed if I serve up burnt offerings. Much love and call me again soon. Keep me up to date.’
