Bella gave her the same smile she had when she’d discovered Kate in that junk shop all those years ago. The one that said she understood and it was okay. Kate had never forgotten it. How could she? The bond between these two women had been forged right then, even though Bella had only been six years old at the time.
And maybe that smile was exactly what Kate needed right now. How could solitude and tapping into an inner strength, even in perfect surroundings, compete with that kind of acceptance and unconditional love? Even if Bella had never known, and hopefully never would know, the whole story, this feeling of not being so alone in the world was a precious thing.
So Kate simply smiled back. ‘I’ve missed you, Bells.’
‘Oh… me, too.’ Bella abandoned her overstuffed bag in favour of giving her aunt another tight hug. ‘And I’ve got so much to tell you.’ She swung away again, as light on her feet as a dancer. ‘Am I in this room again?’
The light was flicked on in a butter-yellow room that had a bay window and an antique brass bedstead with a patchwork quilt.
‘Of course. It’s the only guest room with an en suite. How long are you staying?’
But Bella had opened her case and the contents seemed to explode in relief.
‘I’ve got something in here for you. Oh… where is it?’
Scraps of lacy underwear like nothing Kate had ever worn were tossed aside. Long black boots with heels that could double as lethal weapons followed. A battered teddy bear was snatched up, cuddled and then deposited tenderly on the bed to nestle between snowy-white, frilled pillowcases.
‘Oh, my goodness… youstillhave that bear?’
‘Are you kidding? You gave him to me. I couldn’t sleep without Red Ted.’
Within the space of sixty seconds the room looked like a bomb site, with clothing, cosmetics and even books strewn about. And then Bella triumphantly held up a small package, exquisitely wrapped in primrose-yellow tissue paper, with a ribbon that matched the tiny bouquet of dried wild flowers it held in place.
Kate’s chest felt tight as she accepted the gift. This was pure Bella. Disorganised, irresponsible and unbelievably messy, but amongst the chaos were moments that were simply perfect. The kind you stored in your memory bank for when you needed to remember that life was worth living.
‘Go on, open it, Kate.’ Bella was hugging herself with excitement.
Inside the lovingly wrapped package was a photograph in a beaten, silver frame. A small girl and a young woman sitting together on a swing seat, their arms around each other. They weren’t looking at the camera because they were smiling at each other.
‘D’you remember this? I found it in an old album and Dad said I could have it copied and framed.’
‘Oh…’ The tight feeling in Kate’s chest was making it difficult to draw in a breath. Her smile felt wobbly. ‘How old were you then?’
‘Dunno. Eight or nine? That tree blew down in a storm last year, did Dad tell you?’
‘No. That’s sad.’
Bella shrugged. ‘It was getting too big, anyway. It blocked half our sun. What is it with you and Dad and trees? You’re practically buried in a forest here. Doesn’t it feel like you’re walled off from the world or something?’
Kate mirrored the shrug. Maybe the world was walled off from her and that was the way she liked it.
‘It’s a gorgeous photo. Thank you. You shouldn’t be spending your money on me, though. I thought you were saving up to go overseas.’
‘I am. That’s why I’m here. Nurses get paid better in the big smoke.’ Bella did a little twirl. ‘I’ve got a job at St Pat’s. How cool is that?’
Kate’s jaw dropped. ‘A job?’
‘Yep. Not where I want to be to start with, mind you. I have to do a three-month rotation in Theatre and then in Geriatrics.’ Bella grimaced. ‘But if I can stand it, I get to be in my favourite place after that. With all the babies in Paeds.’
‘So this is a permanent position?’
Bella laughed. ‘Permanent? Me? Are you kidding? No. I just want to save enough to get offshore. A year, or maybe six months if I save hard.’
She grinned. ‘And if my lovely, kind auntie will let me live with her.’
Kate still hadn’t closed her mouth. The whirlwind that was Bella was a joy in small doses, but for the next six months to a year? Could she cope? Her head was still spinning. No, her whole world seemed to be spinning. Bella was the flip side of her own personality. Impulsive where she was cautious. Ready to drop anything for a better offer where Kate hated to change routines. Prepared to take risks to shake the maximum amount of joy out of life where Kate retreated to safety every time.
Inexplicably, the image of Connor Matthews came to mind. As if he was in the room with them, watching her. Comparing her with Kate. Nodding, as if to say,Yeah… here’s a woman who has a life.
