Page 113 of Somewhere Only We Know

‘About Brontë,’ Kat finished for me. ‘His daughter.’

‘Yes,’ I whispered.

‘And how did that go?’

My heart ached at the memory. ‘I felt like I was losing her all over again by seeing it through his eyes. He was amazing; he took it so well. He wanted to know everything about her. He stayed with me for hours and I showed him all my photos. And now her father knows about her. I feel … I feel … I don’t even know how to explain it.’

‘Oh Mags,’ she soothed. ‘You probably feel a lot of things right now, and that’s okay, you don’t have to say. But I’m glad he knows; it has always niggled me that the man who stole my sister’s heart didn’t know about our lovely girl.’

‘Me too,’ I replied. ‘But it would have been so much better if they’d met.’

We were quiet for a few moments, but it was a companionable silence and I felt comforted by her being on the end of the line.

‘So: Jackson?’ she quizzed, breaking the mood. ‘Still good-looking by the sound of it. Married? Single? Handsome? Tell me everything.’

‘My hormones are in major overdrive,’ I admitted, ‘he is every bit as gorgeous as I remembered. As for the rest, I don’t know.’

‘What?’ she screeched. ‘How did you not ask if he’s single or not?’

‘Because last night needed to be about Brontë. He’s grieving for a child he didn’t even meet, and I needed to give him space to process everything.’ I sighed. ‘We’ll have more time to talk today after we’ve collected the book. He had to make a call yesterday to make arrangements to be home late, so I’m guessing there’s someone in his life. He’s too much of a catch to be single.’

‘So are you, but you’re single,’ she pointed out.

‘By choice.’

‘Imagine, though.’ She sighed dreamily. ‘Imagine he’s been waiting for you to come back all these years.’

‘I have been imagining that, believe me.’

‘Look, I’d better go, but let’s talk again later, once you’ve been reunited with Brontë’s book.’

‘Before you go, how’s Mum?’ I asked, unsure if I really wanted to know.

‘Funny you should ask about her. She offered to have Sam to sleep overnight for the first time ever, which he’s looking forward to. She has sold her car though, which is a shame.’

Mum hadn’t told Kat about her latest money issues for some reason. So neither would I.

‘I was very unkind about her mothering skills when she rang me.’

Kat laughed. ‘I’m not sure she even had any when we were kids. But she’s making an effort now at least. Whatever you said to her worked.’

‘I’m glad.’ Even if the end didn’t justify the means.

‘Maybe the two of you should try again,’ my sister suggested. ‘She’s not getting any younger, and if she’s changing her ways then perhaps you could let her in?’

‘Hmm, maybe,’ I said vaguely.

‘Think about it. Now I’ve really got to go and thaw out before getting Sam up.’

‘Bye, sis. Kiss Andy and Sam for me. I love you all.’

‘Go get your man. If he’s single. Oh God, I really want him to be single.’

‘Kat!’ I laughed. ‘Actually, yes, so do I. Bye!’

I was still laughing when the phone rang again, and Tiff’s name flashed up on the screen.

‘Jeez, you’re a toughie to get hold of.’