AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Amelia tried not to make eye contact with her reflection as she washed her hands vigorously under the taps. However, when she glanced at herself she was pleasantly surprised that she looked better than expected. She splashed some cold water on her face and smiled. She would work through this. She was strong, and she didn’t need a bloody man to mess up her life again. Particularly that man. Thank God for Suna. She quickly sent her a text to tell her all was okay, to thank her and let her know she would be in touch. Now she understood why Suna had been a bit off with her these past weeks. Her poor friend just hadn’t known what to do for the best. What a stressful situation to have been in.
What should she do now? It was late and dark in December, and she was stuck at an airport in a city she hardly knew. She thought for a moment, then walked back through to the main building, smiling at the man polishing the concourse next to the check-in desks. The Christmas trees and flashing lights seemed out of place in her current state of mind. What a crazy couple of days.
She found a chair to sit on and took a breath. Pulling out her mobile, she pressed call.
‘Edie. It’s me. Amelia.’
‘Oh, hello, my lovely. How are you?’
‘I’m okay,’ she said, laughing. ‘In fact, I’m great.’
‘Oh,’ said Edie, sounding bemused. ‘That’s nice, dear.’
‘The thing is. Well, Edie, I’m still at Glasgow Airport.’
‘Oh, is your flight delayed?’
‘I didn’t get on the plane.’
‘Did you miss it? Was the ferry late? Honestly, you just never can tell. And sometimes the traffic . . .’
‘No, Edie. We got to the airport on time and I will tell you the whole story later . . . but I couldn’t go back with him.’
‘Oh. What happened?’
‘It’s a long story and one I will tell you when I see you, Edie. But I don’t want to leave you and my friends and Arran,’ said Amelia, smiling. ‘I love it. I can’t remember when I was last this happy.’
‘I don’t know what to say . . .’
‘Can I come back, Edie? Can I come back and stay in the cabin? Just until I sort myself out?’
‘Oh, Amelia, you don’t even have to ask,’ she said. ‘You’re always welcome here and there will always be a place for you to stay as long as you want. You can tell me all about it when you’re back, that’s if you want to. But I am so pleased you’re coming home.’
Amelia choked back a sob as she realised that was what had changed. It did feel like home. Arran was a place she felt like she truly belonged.
Edie coughed. ‘Erm, there’s one slight problem though, dear.’
Amelia didn’t care, she felt invincible, and she so appreciated Edie’s lack of probing about what had happened. ‘Go on, tell me about it. What’s the problem?’
‘Well, dear, you have missed the last ferry for the night.’
Try as she might, Amelia couldn’t stop the huge roar of laughter that escaped. ‘In that case I will see you tomorrow. I’ll be back as soon as I can.’
Chapter Fifty-Nine
Edie hung up the phone, thrilled that Amelia was returning, though not happy at the thought of what had happened to make her come back. She made Amelia promise to go and check in at an airport hotel and text her when she was safely in her room. She knew Amelia was desperate to get back as soon as possible, but it would have to wait until the morning. As her mother always used to say to her, good things came to those who waited.
She hoped Amelia would come back stronger than ever. It did sound as though the brief trip to the airport with Declan had clarified things for her. ‘Who knows what happened to trigger such a quick return,’ she said to Jim’s photo.But I’m glad. I already miss her.
Since Christine’s letter and subsequent passing, she realised there was no point in carrying around resentment or anger, and she hoped Amelia would accept what had happened with Declan and move on. She had learned that being angry only added to your burden. Acknowledging the hurt and taking care of it in the best way for you was the least damaging way forward. She hoped she could perhaps guide Amelia to forgive and move on.
‘Well, Molly, this is exciting news. She’s coming back.’ Molly thumped her tail on the floor and jumped up and ran to the door. Edie turned and jumped when she saw Fergus standing there.
‘Sorry, Edie, I didn’t mean to give you a fright. I knocked and called out.’
‘Oh, don’t worry. I was miles away. Is everything okay, dear?’
‘Yes. Though I wondered if you’d seen Amelia? The cabin’s in darkness.’
