‘No,’ Brodie replied. ‘But we will be if we don’t leave straight away.’
‘I’m going to miss you both,’ Lettie said, letting go of Skye and hugging Joe. ‘You’ve both been amazing helping like you did, and Brodie and I really appreciate having that time alone with our baby when we came out of hospital.’
‘We were happy to do it,’ Skye replied, feeling a little guilty knowing she and Joe had enjoyed their extra time alone too.
Brodie handed the baby back to Lettie and kissed the tops of their heads. ‘I won’t be too long.’
Skye hoped Joe wasn’t too upset after Faye’s reaction the previous day. He had tried to call her but she hadn’t answered. Faye didn’t answer. ‘You OK?’ she whispered as he took her rucksack and put it next to his in the boot of the car.
‘Sure. I’ll be fine. She does this sort of thing. All it really does is confirm that I’m doing the right thing not moving back into the bungalow with her and Roger.’
She took his hand and gave it a gentle squeeze before they both got into Brodie’s car. ‘I’ll sit in the back,’ Skye said, not waiting for Joe to reply before doing so.
‘Enjoy yourselves,’ Lettie called as Brodie started the car and drove out of the yard.
‘Bye, Lettie.’ Skye waved to her as the car went down the driveway, sad to be leaving but excited to be taking this next step with Joe by her side.
They arrived at the airport six minutes later and got out of the car. Skye was saying her goodbyes to Brodie when she heard Joe speak.
‘I don’t believe it.’
She and Brodie turned to see what he was referring to and saw Faye hurrying towards them. Her heart dipped, hoping Joe’s mother wasn’t about to cause a scene and ruin his departure even further.
‘Joe, wait,’ she said her heels click-clacking across the zebra crossing from the car park to where Brodie had parked outside the departure terminal.
Joe groaned and glanced at Skye. ‘Sorry about this.’
‘It’s fine – she’s your mum.’
‘Mum,’ he said, going to her. ‘What are you doing here?’
Faye pushed her hair from her face. Skye could tell she was a little distraught and felt sorry for her. She left Joe and his mother to some privacy and stayed next to Brodie, out of the way.
‘I had to come,’ Skye heard Faye say breathlessly. ‘I couldn’t leave things between us as they were. And I do know it was all my fault.’
‘Mum, it’s fine,’ Joe said.
‘It’s not. I was selfish. I spoke to Roger and he pointed out a few things.’
‘Like what?’
Skye hoped Faye was about to say something to make Joe feel much better about leaving.
‘I made a few phone calls and contacted an old friend who has offered me her cottage for a few months. It’s not available just yet and I told her Roger and I need to stay in the bungalow while you’re away to keep an eye on things, but she insisted that was fine.’
‘What are you saying?’
‘That I have somewhere Roger and I can move into when you get back. You’re right to go away with Skye and see where this relationship leads.’
Skye looked over without thinking and caught Faye’s eye. Faye waved. ‘Hello, Skye. I hope the pair of you have a wonderful time together.’
‘That’s very kind of you, thank you,’ Skye said, relieved Faye had had a change of heart.
‘Thanks, Mum,’ Joe said.
‘That’s not all. Roger also admitted how embarrassed he has been accepting money from you to keep us going. So we’re putting the feelers out for jobs for the pair of us.’
‘Really?’
