When he got back to his front door, he’d called out to Marge just like he always did and then remembered she couldn’t hear him anymore. She would never hear him again.
His usual way of coping with any crisis was to disappear into a bottle of whisky. That night, he had gazed at the half-open bottle on the sideboard, got up, opened it and then threw it down the sink. ‘I’m not going down that road,’ he thought. ‘That little one needs me and I can’t let her down.’
He had already abandoned one daughter, but not this time. He would do right by this one. He just needed a plan. He hadn’t touched a drop that whole week and intended never to drink again.
Blinking back to the present, James finished his meal, scraped his plate and thanked Eloise for being so kind.
“That’s what neighbours do, James. We look out for each other.” She hesitated and then said, “Look, I know it’s early days and you might have made different plans with your friends or family when it comes to looking after little Amelia, but if you need me I would love to help out.”
James mumbled that he didn’t have any family, nor did Marge really, so he was pretty much on his lonesome.
“Well,” said Eloise. “We might just be able to help each other if you don’t mind hearing me out.” The baby had fallen into a contented sleep and was snuffling happily.
She looked at this tiny scrap in her arms and smiled. “I married young and my husband left me years ago. I brought up my kids on my own. They have all left home now and are doing well. My daughter is about to have her first baby, but she’s in New Zealand.” Eloise sighed and said quietly, “She might as well be on the moon.”
She went on, “Well darn it, James. I like to take care of people, especially babies and I’m good at it. The truth is I want to be useful, and I really love kids. So why don’t I help you?”
James was silent.
“Oh, I’m so sorry, James. It’s too soon, isn’t it? I’ve put my big foot in it.” She was flustered and embarrassed. “I’d better go.”
James stuttered, “No. Eloise, I’m just trying to take in the fact that you have appeared at my door like a fairy godmother and you are the answer to my prayers.”
Eloise smiled at him in relief.
James told her that it had to all be done properly. He would hire her as a nanny and pay her a proper wage. When Eloise waved him away, he stood firm. This was the way it had to be or it was a no go. They would work out a proper contract and Eloise would begin first thing tomorrow. She was given a key and a handshake.
In fact, she never did start the next morning. Around 1am she heard the baby wailing from next door and popped in to see James struggling with a dirty nappy. She elbowed him aside and took over.
James gratefully staggered to his bed and fell into the first deep sleep he’d had in seven days, and he thought that maybe, just maybe, it was going to be alright.
Chapter Ten
Evie’s House
Later in the day, after her swim with the Selkies, Evie sat down in her kitchen on the beautiful Orkney chair that Freya had gifted to her, restored and crafted by Ross, and made several attempts to reply to Amelia.
She wished that the woman had given her a phone number. It was always so difficult to get the tone right in an email. It either came across as cold and clinical, or over-friendly. And if you tried to be funny it could fall flat. Eventually she had a version she was reasonably happy with.
Dear Amelia,
Thank you for your email.
It was a surprise to hear from you, but from what you have found out it looks highly likely we could be related.
If you are planning a trip to Orkney then of course I would be more than happy to meet you and help in any way I can.I’m afraid our family is very small.Neither my sister Liv or I have had children.
My father died in 2024 and my mum has dementia. She still has some good days but I’m not sure if she would be able to give you much information.
I do have a lot of uncles and aunts and cousins on Hrossay and I know they would also help with any questions you might have.
Let me know if you are coming.
Evie
She read through her words one more time, then took a deep breath and hit send. Writing the email had stirred up painful memories.
When Evie had travelled back to Orkney two years ago, it was because of Freya’s desperate attempts to let her know her father was dying. It was only knowing that she needed to say goodbye to him, that she managed to find the courage to travel home. Her friend Sophia helped her, but Evie had been too late.
