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“Who is this girl? We don’t know anything about her.” Liza paced across her mother’s kitchen. It was her third trip to Cornwall in a month and each visit was more frustrating than the last, and not just because the traffic was starting to heat up along with the weather. It was as if dealing with an intruder had made her mother give up all thought of personal safety. Or maybe it had given her rather too much confidence in her own ability to survive the worst.
Whatever the psychology, nothing Liza said could make her see sense. “If you’re determined to do this trip then book a tour. Go with a group. And a guide.”
“I don’t want to be part of a group. I’m too old to tolerate people whose company I haven’t chosen and will no doubt find annoying. I shall go where I wish and stay as long as it pleases me to stay. It’s not as if I have anywhere in particular to be at my age.”
“Mum—”
“You didn’t want me to stay alone in the house, and this way I won’t be alone in the house.”
There were days when Liza felt as if she was banging her head against a wall. “What if something happens?”
“I hope something does happen. It would be a crushing disappointment to travel two thousand four hundred miles and not encounter a single adventurous moment.”
“You don’t think you should start with a less ambitious trip?” Liza cleared the breakfast things into the dishwasher and set it to run. “You haven’t been anywhere since Dad died.”
“That was a mistake.” Kathleen set a box of maps on the kitchen table. “Confidence and bravery can be lost if they’re not used. I’ve spent far too long at home.”
“You can’t travel across America with a stranger.”
“Why not?” Kathleen pulled out a map and spread it across the table. Then she found a large notepad.
“It isn’t safe.” Why was she the only person who thought this was a bad idea? Sean had refused to get involved. It’s her life, Liza. Her choice.
Her mother peered at her over the top of her reading glasses. “Could you pass me the guidebook please.”
Everyone in her life seemed determined to make foolish choices. Before she’d walked out the door to drive to Cornwall Caitlin had informed her that she was going to a party with Jane and if Liza tried to stop her she’d run away. Liza had been too nervous to leave her in the house, but Sean had intervened, persuaded Caitlin to have a few friends over instead, and everything had calmed down. Until next time. What had happened to her adorable daughter, who had loved dressing up and playing “school”? What had happened to the hugs and affection? These days Liza was greeted by rolled eyes and attitude.
Liza intended to spend the summer holidays rebuilding her relationship with her daughters. And with Sean too, because so much of the time it seemed their relationship revolved around the people they were caring for.
Eight signs that your marriage might be in trouble.
The article was still squashed in the bottom of her bag. Buried, but not forgotten.
She watched as her mother squinted over the map.
It was a mammoth trip for anyone, let alone someone who would be eighty-one on their next birthday.
Liza’s strong sense of duty nudged at her.
She’d already started dreaming about their two weeks in the South of France. Her holiday reading was stashed away in the suitcase along with her sunhat.
But now here was her mother needing someone to drive her on her ridiculous road trip.
And then a thought occurred to her. Wouldn’t this be the perfect opportunity for her and her mother to grow closer? Cocooned in a car, her mother would have to open up a bit, surely?
She felt something close to excitement. “I’ll drive you. I’d really like to.”
It was difficult to tell who was most shocked by that announcement, her mother or her husband.
“Er—Liza?” Sean scratched his head. “France?”
“You could go without me this year.” The more she thought about it, the more excited she was. As a child she’d longed to be taken along on her mother’s travels. This was the perfect time. They’d bond over the adventures. Emerge with a new closeness.
“It wouldn’t be the same without you.” Sean’s appalled expression made her feel better about life.
She’d started to feel that people saw her only as a killjoy. Someone to put the brakes on their more impulsive decisions.
But Sean wanted her there.
