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I turned away and headed back in the direction of the carpark, but I’d barely made it more than a couple of feet before she called my name.
“Isabel would have loved Ellie.” Grandma’s tone was wistful, but her words punched me hard in the gut. “And not just for her books. She’s excellent company, she’s hilarious, and I think her heart is made of pure gold,” she continued, just as softly. “Not to mention that she has the patience of a saint. Yes, I think she would like her very much.”
I looked up at the sky just as the cloud passed over the sun, finally bathing the cemetery in bright sunlight.
It felt a little bit like my mother agreeing with her.
“See? She agrees with me. She’s still smart.” Grandma cackled, shooting through the heavy moment by laughing at her own little joke, and I shook my head.
“See you later, Grandma.”
“See you later, dear.” She paused, and just before I went out of earshot, I heard her say, “Now, Izzy, you’ll never believe this, but Jenny Cooper is…”
•••
I’d intended to go right home after I’d been to visit Mum, but instead of finding myself at Greygarth House, I found myself standing outside of the lodge instead.
Where Ellie was inside.
Of all the places I could have ended up, of all the places my feet could have taken me, it was here.
Where she was.
“No, don’t you dare!”
The front door opened, and I turned my attention to where she was using her bag to scoot Winston back inside.
“No! You’re on my shit list for bringing me a mouse! A mouse, you little bastard! You’re supposed to take those slimy gits to Max!”
I fought back a laugh.
Hewashandy to have around.
“Meeerw!” Winston replied.
“No! Don’t look at me like that! I ammadat you! I am not buying you the good meat!” Ellie argued.
“Meeeeerw,” he responded, quieter this time.
“Don’t make that face at me, you little sod.”
“Merw.”
“Winston. Stop making me feel bad. This is a punishment! You made me catch amousewith myhandbag!”
“Meeeerow.”
“Okay, fine! I’ll buy the good meat, but if you bring me another mouse, I’m selling you to Max!”
This time, I was unable to fight it, and I burst out laughing.
She startled and turned to face me. Her cheeks flamed a bright red, and she slammed the front door on Winston. “How much of that did you hear?”
“Would you feel better if I said it was only the last bit?”
“You heard it all, didn’t you?”
“Every single word.”
