“She actually said she’d rather not come if I didn’t mind. I think she was worried I would find it all too quiet and maybe even a bit boring. At least I think that’s what she said.”
Inga’s eyebrows disappeared into her shiny red fringe.
“She did? That’s not like Evie.”
Amelia said hastily, “Oh, I’m sure she didn’t mean it like that. It’s just that she said she hated the ferry crossing and the plane also made her feel sick. I’m certain she loves it once she is here seeing you all, but she did say she was going to cut back her visits and get the artists to bring their work to her at the gallery to save her the inconvenience.”
Inga frowned. “I thought she’d got better with the sea sickness. She’s not mentioned to me that she found it such a chore to come here.”
Amelia went on, “I mean I don’t understand it myself. It’s such a beautiful place and you are all so lovely and friendly. It’s been a joy to meet you.”
Amelia dabbed her eyes with a hanky, which instantly resulted in an outpouring of coos and soft words from the women and looks of approval from the men.
Freya came back into the kitchen to see Amelia going through old family albums with Inga and the others. She looked up and told Freya that she’d had the most wonderful time and learned such a lot about Sheila and Cara and the extended family. Freya smiled at her fondly but said they had better go if they were going to catch the last ferry.
Amelia had gifts of sugary tablet, homemade cakes, and sandwiches thick with Hrossey butter and cheese pressed upon her for the journey. She was hugged hard and told to come back soon.
Everyone piled back into the cars to take them to the ferry terminal and waved them off. Inga was not best pleased at what Amelia had said about Evie.
She huffed, “I knew that Evie thought she was better than all of us,” she grumbled. “Haven’t I said that to you all before? She ups and leaves for London for twenty years, then swans back and expects to be welcomed back with open arms.”
Drew sighed. “From what Amelia said, I don’t think Evie will be coming back anytime soon.”
Inga was on a roll. “I don’t think she told us the half of it. You could see she was embarrassed to have let it slip that Evie thinks we are all dull backward bumpkins.”
“Don’t take it to heart, Inga. She’s family and we told Sheila we would look out for her. We need to stick together.”
Inga sighed and kissed him: “You are a big soft lump, Drew. Well, for your sake I will be perfectly pleasant the next time she shows her face here, if she ever does.”
Coming back that night as the sun set and the sea turned to purple ink, Amelia and Freya sat quietly on deck. Each woman alone with her thoughts. Going back home to Hrossey always stirred up both good and bad memories for Freya. She loved the island of her birth, but it was also where she’d gone through some of the toughest times of her life.
She reflected on how lucky she had been to have a family who supported her and a community who simply accepted her as Freya. They were all dead and buried now. On her visit to the gravestones of her parents and sister Anne Marie, she told them she was doing just fine and they weren’t to worry about her, and that soon she would be eighty years old and how unbelievable it all was.
Freya especially missed her sister who was kind and open-hearted and defended her from cruel bullies. She looked at Amelia, unaware that she’d managed to upset the Hrossey clan with her sly untruths about Evie.
“I hope you feel as though today was worthwhile, my pet. They are a good bunch but I was afraid they wouldn’t have much to tell you about Sheila or Cara.”
Amelia was quick to reassure Freya, “They were lovely, and it was just good to be where Sheila was born and raised andwhere Cara grew up. I learned a lot. Thank you so much for coming with me.”
Amelia’s busy brain was thinking about the way she had unsettled everyone with her lies about Evie, and all she had learned from them, especially about Evie’s relationship with Liv.
There was even more bad blood there than she had realised, and that would come in very useful later if Liv were to falter. She had plenty of ammunition to persuade Liv to see things her way.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Freya’s House
Freya hadn’t been feeling well. Since the trip to Hrossey she’d suffered from a bad cold that had settled on her chest. It was as though all the energy had seeped out of her body. It was frustrating for someone always on the go, but Freya was also frightened at feeling so helpless. Her mind was strong, but her body was letting her down.
Edwyn had looked in on her and said she had to rest: “I mean it, Freya. You have to remember you aren’t as young as you used to be. I don’t want this to turn into pneumonia and have to admit you to the Balfour.”
Freya promised she would stay in bed for a few days. To be honest she didn’t think she would have the strength to get up. “You need looking after. I’ll get Kate to bring over some of her chicken soup.” He added half to himself, “It’s worked out well that Amelia is here. You might need help to get to the loo.”
Freya looked scandalised. “She can help me to the toilet door, but I’m not having anyone wipe my backside. Not even you, Edwyn. I couldn’t bear it.”
Her bottom lip trembled and she was near tears. “Well, let’s see how we go,” he said gently. “I will get Kate to come round with your prescription when she brings the soup, but I’m banning any more visitors for today, otherwise you will beinundated and won’t get a minute’s peace. You need to sleep and get better.”
Amelia was hovering outside the bedroom door. “Is she OK? Does she need anything?”
