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“Does anyone?” Abby said.
“Fair point.” Mitch waved at them both before he climbed into his car.
On the way down the drive, he passed another car coming up. It was Lawrence. And he wasn’t alone. Every muscle in Abby’s body instantly vibrated with tension. Her eyes stayed fixed on the car as she held her breath. Lawrence got out first. He flashed a reassuring smile at Abby. Her heart stuttered at the sight. Flynn came up beside her and squeezed her hand tight.
“We all make mistakes, sugar,” he whispered to her.
As Abby stared, Victoria climbed out of the car. She looked smaller. She looked beaten, drawn and depleted. Her every move was hesitant. Fear and defeat radiated from her. Even from a distance Abby could see her red, swollen eyes. When those eyes looked up at Abby, her whole body shuddered. The pain was like a beacon, there for everyone to see.
I’m sorry, Victoria mouthed.
And Abby was running, down the steps, over the grass and into the arms of her mother. The two women stood clinging to one another, sobbing loudly.
“I’m so sorry, I’m so sorry,” Victoria whispered over and over.
“Don’t leave me again,” Abby said. “I want to know you.”
Victoria stroked a hand down her hair, and Abby remembered all the times she’d been in the woman’s arms when she’d been a child. When Victoria had barely been more than a child herself. She’d been so happy then. She’d felt so loved. Wanted.
“I need to explain things.” Victoria’s voice cracked. “I know you will never be able to forgive me, but I need to explain.”
“Then stay. Stay here in Invertary. Take your time. Explain it all.”
“I never stopped loving you, my baby,” Victoria whispered. “I’m so sorry I wasn’t strong enough to hold on to you.” Victoria’s tears fell.
“You were strong today. Strong enough to stand against Millicent. Strong enough to give me the ammunition I need to fight her. That counts for something.”
There was too much to say. She remembered a time, long ago, when David had told her Victoria had come to visit him.
“She loves you deeply,” he’d said. “I don’t think she knows how to show you, but that sister of yours loves you a lot. I got the impression she’d have me dealt with if I wasn’t good for you.”
“She was always there for me when I was tiny,” Abby had said. “She was more of a mother to me than my own mother. I miss the closeness.”
“Maybe it will come back.” He’d kissed her then. “Don’t give up hope. It took guts for her to come to me. Maybe one day she’ll have the guts to come to you too.”
Abby leaned back and looked in Victoria’s eyes. “We’ll take our time,” she promised. “We’ll get to know each other again. I want you here. Stay in Invertary.”
“It’s more than I can ask.” Victoria’s lips trembled.
“Then don’t ask. Just stay.”
“Okay.”
As they stood there hugging, Abby’s eyes met Flynn’s over Victoria’s shoulder and she realised she had something she’d always longed for.
She had family who loved her.
39
“We’re taking twenty-two players to Italy, sorry, to Spain...
Where are we, Jim?”
Bobby Robson, former English manager
talking about the 1998 World Cup in France
Flynn moved into Abby’s house. She didn’t invite him. He didn’t ask. He kind of hoped she just wouldn’t notice. He’d been there six weeks and she hadn’t mentioned it so far. He figured if he was lucky, he’d be there another fifty years without her bringing it up.
