Ava looked at the box. There was a wealth of information within its depths. Perhaps ordering and cataloguing it all online would make sense. ‘It would be good PR that’s for sure.’
‘There could be publicity to gain from launching a new website and social media presence, and if nothing else it would provide a record for prosperity for . . . your children.’
My children?Ava wondered if she would ever have children. There was no man on the scene she could imagine spending the rest of her life with, so children seemed an unlikely prospect. Should she have them though then their grandmother’s work, All Critters Great and Small and all that it stood for, was their heritage —no grand estate like the Bramlington’s for the Flynns. ‘I like that idea. Thanks Gino.’ Ava smiled.
‘That’s why I’m here.’
Marking the box so she’d know its contents, Ava put it to one side; it’s purpose clear in her mind. She would take it to Critters’ Lodge and speak to the volunteers to see if anybody had a technical background they could put to use. While it was a long shot, experience had taught her that volunteers came from all walks of life and had a wealth of skills that they were generally only too happy to put to good use.
Having discovered several wildlife figurines in the next box, Ava marked it to be valued. The shop next door to the charity shop was an antique dealership; the elderly gentleman that ran it frequently valued items for her she couldn’t assess via Ebay and other online avenues.
‘Difficult to buy for was she?’ Gino gestured to the box of ornaments.
‘I guess. She was never really into possessions.’
‘So people went with what they knew. My cousin made the mistake of telling my Mama he likes Marmite. Birthday, Christmas, any excuse she gets him a Marmite gift.’
‘At least he can eat it.’ Ava lifted the box of animal figurines to the floor.
‘No, she got him a cushion, a mug, a key ring — all in the shape of a Marmite jar. I told her if he loved it, she was going to make him hate it!’
Ava laughed, realising what type of gift Gino was referring to, and thinking of the similar items that helped fill the homeware shelf of the shop. Having Gino for company really was making the task more manageable in more ways than one and for that she was grateful. ‘I’m so pleased you’re here, Gino. Really. Thanks for your help.’
‘Happy to.’ Gino got the bottle of wine and replenished their glasses.
When he returned, Ava looked at him hopefully. ‘Two boxes down. Can we stop now?’
Laughing, Gino pulled his phone from his pocket before scrolling through his messages and holding the screen up to Ava. On it was a message from Mary:Don’t let Ava give in too easily. I’ve seen that room!
‘Ha, what is she like?’ Ava sipped her wine.
‘A good friend.’ Gino smiled. ‘The room is looking a lot better. I’ve put clothes on the bed. Boxes against the wall, oh but I found an album in the bottom of the wardrobe. I think you should see it.’
‘What’s in it?’ Ava imagined more animal rescue pictures.
‘I only had a brief look but I’d say pictures of you. Unless you know some other child with freckles and wild red hair.’ Gino emphasised his point by motioning wild ringlets from his head.
Ava laughed. ‘Hmm, there’s only one of me.’
‘I’ll get it.’ Gino thudded up the stairs, returning just moments later with a spiral bound photo album. ‘I’ll leave you to look at it.’ He smiled, before going back upstairs.
Ava looked at the album, recognising it as one she had looked at many times, growing up. Opening the brown cover, revealed a yellow edged page, centred on it was a picture of her as a baby, wrapped in her mum’s embrace, while her dad looked at them, the love evident in his eyes. Ava smiled at the sight of the red hair and curls she had inherited. It was one of only a few pictures of her with her dad; a tragic car accident having taken him from them when she was barely a toddler.
Her hand shaking, Ava turned the pages, careful not to dislodge the photographs as the plastic sheets came away from the once self-adhesive pages. Before her, was a pictorial record of her childhood. She was a freckle-faced, beaming girl, with unruly hair, often pictured outside: at the beach, in the woods, at Critters’ Lodge, and climbing trees. She looked happy — her grin mischievous and her eyes, alive and eager. Ava wondered when she had begun to carry the angst she had felt so keenly in her teenage years. As she turned to the final page, a note secreted in the back, that she had never seen before, caused tears to well in her eyes and the air to escape her, as the sentiment of her mum’s words struck her.
Chapter Ten
Ava woke feeling cold, the only warmth emanating from Myrtle as she lay heavily against her legs. Black and grey embers filled the grate, where the glow of the fire had been. Ava wiped her eyes realising she had fallen asleep on the hearthrug. When Gino had left early in the evening, she had finished the wine and settled by the fire, eventually succumbing to the sobs that wanted to escape her.
Myrtle had sat by her side; concern etched in the dog’s large brown eyes as she snuggled in close in an attempt to offer comfort, while Ava cried herself out. Fat tears had rolled down her face until her eyes stung, her throat hurt and her chest ached from the exertion. When she could cry no more, sleep had been a welcome release from her throbbing head.
Standing was an effort — her back was stiff and her limbs too cold. Wrapping herself in a fleece she had hanging in the hall, Ava went to the kitchen and poured herself a drink of water. It eased her dry throat but did nothing to warm her up. Realising the sun was rising, she pressed the button on the kettle. Myrtle was standing at the door, looking livelier than she had on the previous day, causing Ava to smile despite her headache. Deciding there was little point in going to bed, Ava looked at the dog. ‘How about a walk in the woods?’
Myrtle spun as if she understood the words, and Ava bent to stroke the soft fur at the back of her ears.
A hot shower, some warm clothes, and a cup of tea later, Ava wrapped herself in her coat. Closing the front door, she and Myrtle made their way down the gravel path towards the village before taking their usual hedgerow detour into the grounds of Dapplebury House. Once in the woods, Ava slipped off Myrtle’s lead, and the dog leapt around, bouncing on her paws as she enjoyed the freedom. Ava stretched out her limbs. The chill,early morning air was enlivening and a tonic for her lack of a comfortable night’s sleep.
Following the line of trees, they walked towards the lake. Her head feeling clearer, Ava took the note she had found tucked into the back of the photograph album, from her pocket.
