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“Thank you, Graham. I’ll make sure it gets back to her.”
* * *
It waswith bone weary relief that Felicity walked through arrivals at Heathrow. Except, as she searched the crowd, a great big sea of faces overwhelmed her, along with the thoroughly British smell of Costa coffee and Croissant Express, and all she could seem to think of was another time, less than two months ago, another arrivals lounge, another greeting.
And a pink hat.
She hoped Graham’s little girl would love that hat, maybe even fall in love with another little kid at her playgroup while wearing it. That, at least, would make her feel like she was recycling love.
Even if she couldn’t have that love for herself.
She felt as saggy as a bag of potatoes as she jostled her way out. Scarlet was aching, grumpy as hell. Everything about her was crumpled and washed out, and since she’d been crying for most of the trip, she was probably awfully dehydrated.
Anxiously, she scanned the heads again, and there it was, that unmistakable pink quiff. Somehow, Evie had managed to keep her hair the same colour for three months. She must like this shade of pink.
Which made Felicity think of her hat again.
Which made her think of Oliver.
Which made her bite back tears as she stumbled into Evie’s outstretched arms.
“Hey, you,” Evie whispered fiercely in her ear. They stood, hugging, as people bumped and grumbled and moved around them. Evie smelt of plaster of Paris, of resin and glue, a touch of Dolce and Gabbana perfume. Andhome.
“I’d say tell me all about it, but right now I can see you need to get back to number 34 Byden Street more than anything.”
“Oh Evie.” Her lips wobbled. “I don’t want any more adventures for a while.”
“You can’t say that.” Evie pushed back and studied her. “You’ll be your old self in no time. We’ll make sure of it.” She narrowed her eyes. “You have a kind of tan, I guess, in that your freckles have all joined together.”
Felicity managed a trembly laugh. “I’ll have you know I slip slop slapped liberally.”
“Sounds kinky.”
“I’ve learnt so many Australian sayings. But I guess they’ll soon slide out of my vernacular and be forgotten.” Which, of course, would be for the best.
“You can teach us them. It’ll make you think you’re still there.” Evie grimaced. “Ok-aaayyy, just forget I said that. And I’ll throw away the vegemite I bought and we’ll go back to Marmite.”
Felicity managed a watery smile.
Evie grabbed Felicity’s suitcase, plonked her carry-on bag on top with strong capable hands and led the way through the Heathrow throng. “Come on, let’s get you out of this jungle. Felix has made African sweet potato stew to welcome you home, and Digby has left you a gift of fur on your duvet.”
Felicity rolled her eyes and blinked back the last smidge of tears.
Yes, she was home. And after everything that had happened, it felt surprisingly good.
Even so, as they took to the M25 she found herself flinching every time a bus or car whizzed by. Everything came too close. And the roads felt too small, too narrow after those wide Australian highways. She needed to not compare, she told herself firmly. When they finally reached Islington, the hazy spring sun lit up the Georgian stucco-fronted houses with their bright red and blue and yellow front doors in a way that made her actually—almost—happy.
There was nothing like summer beckoning London out of its winter garb, she decided. The dappled light, the cherry blossom budding and the sight of fresh leaves on slender birch trees, the hum of distant traffic on Upper Street and the sound of sparrows chirping. Who needed Australian cockatoos and kookaburras laughing at you anyway?
Felix stood in the kitchen with the back door open, displaying a bright array of pots and herbs on the patio and it all looked—like it hadshrunkafter being inAustralia.
Felix’s face behind his tawny beard lit up as she walked in.
She ran—more like hobbled—and in a moment she was in a big bear hug, enveloped in a mix of spice and grass cuttings, the sign of a man who spent his days digging and planting.
His beard tickled her cheek. “Welcome home, Pumpkin Seed.”
Ah, she’d almost forgotten his special name for her.
