Because there’s no one else I trust as much as I trust you.
‘In case something happens. Brianna’s got other numbers she can call if she needs support, but it’s you I trust the most, and I know you’ll always make decisions that are in her best interests if it comes down to it. It can't be activated in the time before we go, but I can at least express an intention. We all need to prove we’ve got something in place.’
There’s a long, awkward pause before Heather asks her last question.
‘Are you telling me it’s all over between us, Scott?’ she asks, her eyes tearing up. He feels like the biggest jerk in the entire world. He answers her question as honestly as he can.
‘I just need to be away for a while. To figure some stuff out. Can you give me that?’
She pulls her chair back, grabs a tissue from her coat pocket, and wipes her nose and eyes vigorously as she stands.
‘Sure, Scott. If it’s what you need. Of course.’
‘Heather,’ he says as she’s returning her chair to its allocated place under the table, ‘I really am so very proud of you about your painting business. Truly, I am.’
She walks towards him and bends to kiss him on the cheek.
‘Look after yourself,’ she says.
And then she’s gone.
FRESHMAN PARENTS' ONLINE FORUM: ST ANDREWS UNIVERSITY
Anyone know of a storage facility near town? DS needs to vacate room for the Easter break and has stacks of stuff which he can’t possibly bring home on a plane.
We found one behind the large Sainsbury’s on outskirts of town. They had medium sized units for rent yesterday. Not cheap, I’m afraid.
Here’s another: www.bigyellowstorage/StAs/uk/. Hope you find somewhere!
Thank you both!
MARCH
Chapter 32
HEATHER
Thefirstfivedaysare the worst. Her waking hours pass in a maelstrom of feelings, which she interrogates with Claire or, in her friend's absence, Fraser. At night, she spirals. How did she fall for his mixed signals? What did she miss? One minute Scott was orchestrating boutique dinners in her home, the next, he was gone. Two to three weeks. Even the length of his time away is unspecific. She visits her parents, focuses on her new business and swims.
She sets herself a target of completing one painting a week, but it quickly becomes apparent that, with planning and a few newly gained tricks up her sleeve, she can achieve more. She messages everyone who’s placed an order and gives them provisionalcompletion dates. People are surprisingly obliging when she tells them it might be the end of the year before some orders materialise, and much, much longer for others. "It will make a fantastic Christmas present in that case," one client replies, "worth the wait," says another.
By the end of the first week, which coincides with the end of term at St Andrews, Heather has slipped into a manageable routine which she enjoys so much more than her previous work. She expresses her gratitude every morning and counts her accomplishments every night.
Georgia comes home on the Friday with two bin bags of laundry, the half-eaten contents of her fridge, a stinking cold, and Brianna.
‘You don’t mind, do you, Mum? We both want to find work in Edinburgh over the holidays, and we thought it would be fun to work together. Some pubs in the Grassmarket are hiring.’
The historic marketplace in Edinburgh’s Old Town has stunning views of Edinburgh Castle and a rich history dating back to medieval times. Its plethora of pubs offers a vibrant, buzzing nightlife.
Although Heather’s initially disappointed she won’t have quality time alone with Georgia, it quickly becomes clear that Georgia needs the company of someone her own age to complete what she terms her“Get Over That Asshole”phase. Besides, Georgia’s commitment to her studies seems to have declined in recent weeks. And with end-of-year exams imminent after the break, it might be good for her to have another student, who’s also studying, around.
