Erica nodded, blinking hard. ‘I know that now. I do see what you mean about not wanting to lose yourself just to keep the peace. I think… I think I finally understand. I’m sorry it took me so long.’
Cleo reached over and rested her hand on Erica’s leg. ‘I do love you, and I still love your dad, in a way. I know that’s hard for you to believe, but we had two beautiful children and we were married for a great many years.
‘We had some really happy times together, fantastic times. You don’t forget those just because the relationship had to end. The memories remain. They can’t just be wiped away.’
Erica glanced at her. ‘I’m proud of you, Mum. You’re very brave.’
Cleo felt tears sting her eyes again. ‘And I’m proud of you, my darling.’
When they turned into Cleo’s street, Erica reached over and squeezed her mother’s hand.
‘Danny’s coming tonight. He’s on the train now from uni. He can’t wait to see you.’
Cleo took a long, deep breath and her heart seemed to float upwards, out of her body and into the air above her head.
‘How wonderful!’ she said softly. ‘We’ll be together again – at last.’
As soon as she walked in the door, Cleo could tell something about the house was different. For a start, there was a fresh bunch of pink roses on the vintage hall table and a faint smell of lavender polish in the air.
The boiler was also humming and the brightly patterned rug, that ran along almost the entire length of the hallway, had been vacuumed. Erica had clearly been here already, and she’d been busy.
‘You go and unpack,’ she said bossily to her mother. ‘I’ll make supper.’
Cleo did as she was told. Upstairs, she was grateful to find clean sheets on her bed and another small vase of sweet-smelling freesias on her bedside table.
She took a quick shower and climbed into her old jeans and a long-sleeved white T-shirt. When she went down again, Erica was busy in the kitchen listening to rock music on the radio.
‘I can’t believe you still have this old saucepan,’ she said, pointing to the battered, stainless-steel pan which had been given to Cleo and her then husband as a wedding present. She gave something in it a stir on the hob. ‘It’s practically prehistoric.’
‘It’s perfectly fine,’ Cleo said, smiling. ‘It’s seen more family meals than we’ve had years. It’ll last longer than I do, for sure.’
Erica turned, with a wooden spoon in her hand and a look of mock-exasperation on her face. ‘Then I suppose it deserves a comeback dinner. Spaghetti bolognese. I’m sorry I couldn’t think of anything else when I went to the shops.’
‘My favourite,’ Cleo replied. ‘Danny’s too, unless his tastes have suddenly changed and he’s into haute cuisine now.’
Cleo leaned against the doorway, watching her daughter move about the kitchen with an easy energy that made her heart ache in the best possible way. Erica had always been like that as a child – full of life and fun, keen to please and wanting to make sure everyone in the family was happy.
Somewhere along the way, anger and disappointment had dimmed her light, but tonight, at least, it was shining brightly again.
A delicious smell of onion, garlic and tomatoes began to fill the air as Cleo laid the table and poured glasses of red wine for her and her daughter.
When the doorbell rang, she went to open up and found Danny on the doorstep, his dark curls damp with drizzle and his grin, wide and boyish.
‘Mum!’ He dropped his rucksack and pulled her into a hug. ‘You look great! I’ve missed you.’
Before she could answer, he spotted Erica behind her and concern flashed across his face.
‘Hey, big brother!’ Erica said with a smile. ‘It’s all right. Mum and I have had a chat. We’re fine, everything’s fine.’
In an instant, Danny’s shoulders relaxed and he grinned again and lifted his mother right off the ground.
‘Hallelujah!’ he cried. ‘Thank God! It’s about time!’
Erica laughed and Cleo’s eyes pricked again. In an instant, the harsh words and aching silences seemed to have dissolved, to be replaced by something simple and solid: family.
Soon, the three of them were gathered round the small kitchen table, plates steaming and wine glasses half full. Cleo spoke a little about her adventure – but not too much. She was keener to hear what the others had been up to.
Erica talked about her law course and Danny filled them in on his university life, too, half complaining about the workload, half boasting about his band’s first gig.
