Priya smiled. ‘Thank you, Rita. You really do go above and beyond to make things so wonderful here.’
‘Good. I’m pleased. There’s method in my madness. I want you all to come back one day.’
‘Oh, I’ll definitely be coming back,’ Priya said, her gaze lingering on Zenya for just a heartbeat. Rita felt a surge of happiness at the sight of Zenya’s lips curving into a quiet, knowing smile.
As they started their walk back to the retreat, Priya and Zenya fell to the rear, chatting incessantly, their voices drifting over the cliff path like a gentle current. The sea stretched out to their right, waves thrumming against the rocks far below. Davie was still letting out the odd hiccup, though quieter now, each a small reminder of the pent-up anger he was finally letting go of.
Odette suddenly pulled out her phone, tapping into her Notes frantically, eyebrows knitting in concentration. Davie leaned over her shoulder to try and see what she was writing. Cass walked a few paces ahead of her, shoulders slightly hunched, deep in thought.
The trail wound around the headland, bodies together, minds in completely different spaces. And for Rita, the chaos of Elodie, Amélie, Jago and everything else seemed to slip away fora moment, replaced by the quiet rhythm of the cliffs, the wind, and the sea.
TWENTY-FIVE
The next day, Rita heard the farmhouse door open and close, the familiar scuff of boots on stone. She stepped through from the hall, and a proper, full-hearted smile lifted her whole face.
‘Thom darling, I’m having a fever dream, surely. I don’t see you for an age, then here you are, again!’ She checked that her slightly rounding belly was covered by her baggy shirt. Thankfully, she’d had no real pregnancy woes, more the hospital that put the fear in her than anything else. Twins were harder to carry at any age, she knew that, but she was managing. She still got up early to feed the chickens and goats, though by nine p.m. most nights she was tucked in bed, TV on for a ten p.m. lights out.
‘Cheeky. I had an appointment down this way so thought why not come today. You look tired. Is there anything I can do?’
‘Umm… just you being here is a tonic. But actually, maybe Stan could do with your help. He’s putting up extra security around the place this afternoon.’
‘Oh, why’s that?’ Thom perched on the edge of a chair, leaning forward slightly, eyes attentive. ‘I’ll have a tea if it’s on offer. And is that cake I can smell?’
‘Here.’ She pushed the old familiar cake tin with faded ducks on it towards her son. ‘Ginger biscuits.’
Rita moved to put the kettle on. ‘And nothing for you to worry about re security stuff. Hilda noticed her sensor light had been moved and someone she didn’t recognise was on the doorbell.’
‘She’d probably been on the gin.’ He grinned.
Rita poured the hot water over the tea bag, letting it steep. ‘Well, there is that. But she was actually away, and I’d rather be safe than sorry. It would be a pain to have to restock if stuff got nicked, and if anything happened to the animals, I’d never forgive myself.’
Thom took the mug she handed him, wrapping his hands around it, the warmth seeping into his palms. ‘How are you feeling about Henry?’
‘Still a bit raw,’ she admitted softly, shifting in her chair to ease her back.
‘Yes, he was a good old dog. We need to get you some company.’
Rita shook her head, ‘Don’t you be doing what your father did to me. I’m quite happy as I am, for now.’Without pets, anyway, she thought.
Thom took a sip of his tea, the steam curling around his face.
‘I’m actually going out later…’
‘Ah, OK, what are you up to?’
‘Err… meeting Dan, you know, Dan Bligh from college? He’s moved into a new flat and we’re having a few beers, so I expect I’ll stay at his.’
‘Aw, that’s lovely, Thom. I didn’t even realise you were in touch, thought he’d never leave his parents, that one. Where’s he moved to?’
‘Err… Polheron.’
‘Very nice.’ Rita saw a text come into her phone and turned the handset over.
‘Mum…?’ Thom dragged the syllables out. ‘I just wanted to check that you’re OK… I mean, about Jago. I fathomed it wasn’t all sunshine and roses last time I was here.’
Rita sat back at the table, sighing, feeling the soft warmth of the morning sun on her arms. ‘I really didn’t want you and Sen involved. But he’s just found out that he has a child with Elodie, and he’s taking some time away from me to work out what that means for him. I just hope it doesn’t mean that Elodie will be on the scene too much. She’s staying with her dad at the moment.’
‘Oh wow. OK. Er… That’s big.’ Thom shifted in his seat. ‘I can’t imagine for one moment that Jago would want to be with her. Do you really think he would?’
