Aunty M said nothing about what I had done over dinner, except that mum and Philip were coming to collect me on Saturday morning, and that granny and granpy were also coming to see them. This surprised me because I had a return ticket for the train; they were not supposed to come down for me. This was getting a bit serious. Aunty M didn’t know about the family gathering to help Roma and yet she was helping Roma and me without knowing. I couldn’t believe my luck. She chatted away, just like always, and she had made chocolate profiteroles filled with cream and smothered in oozing, chocolate sauce for pudding. All I needed now was to get my grandma and grandpa here too, and I would have everyone in place for Roma.
Later on as I lay in bed, I thought about what I should do. I would have to be really brave if I was to ask my grandma and grandpa to Apple Jack’s Cottage without permission. If I asked Aunty M first she might say no, then what would I do? No, it seemed to me that I would have to suffer the consequences for Roma’s sake. It would be worth it; it had to be.
The moonlight filtered through the curtains throwing a shaft of light on the wall in front of me. The wind whispered through the cracks around the window frame. I had got so used to being in this room. I loved it. I loved its cosiness and the way it seemed to protect me. I could feel a wave of dread wash over me. I really didn’t want to go home. It seemed a million miles away. The more I thought about home, the more I hated it. I hated the loneliness, the emptiness and the constant nagging. I hated the feeling of not being wanted, of being in the way, of being a nuisance. I could feel the tears welling up in my throat and suddenly the tears started to fall and I was sobbing.
“Florence, Florence, whatever is the matter my darling,” said Aunty M rushing through the door and grabbing me in one of her huge bear hugs.
“Oh, Aunty M, I don’t want to go home. I love it here so much. I am so sorry I upset you. I had no right. I will never forgive myself. I lied to you and went behind your back. Will you ever forgive me? Will you be able to forget?”
“Florence, please don’t worry. I just think that your mum needs to speak to you. I just hope she will be able to pluck up the courage. I know we are all at fault and all to blame but it was all done for you, my darling. You are my very special girl, you know. Mum and dad will be here before you know it and then it will all become clear. At least I hope it will.”
“So you forgive me Aunty M?”
“That goes without saying, my love.”
Aunty M gave me a kiss on the forehead and wafted out of my room. I felt a little better. I got up to get a tissue from the dressing table and I looked out of the window at the night. I could hear the waves crashing on the beach below. I could smell the salt in the air. How was I going to leave all this behind for London’s sirens, traffic and crowds?
I got back into bed and pulled the covers up right under my nose.
“Flo, Flo,” came a whisper.
“Roma?” I whispered back.
Roma lay next to me in bed. She looked virtually transparent in her wispy white dress. Even her ginger curls looked pale, almost pink, and her skin a deathly white. If I had had any doubts about calling our grandparents, they disappeared and I knew I had no choice but to take the chance of upsetting everyone. I really didn’t care. I knew what was most important.
“I’m glad you and Aunty M are friends again. What’s happening on Saturday?”
“Well, all the family are coming on Saturday. Mum and Philip, granny and granpy so I’m going to call grandma and grandpa tomorrow and get them to come too. Then we will all be here and you can ‘go’ then. Ok?”
“Did you tell Aunty M you were going to invite them?” asked Roma.
“No, I didn’t Roma. I don’t want to give her the chance to say I can’t. This is the last time I will have to go behind Aunty M’s back. It has to be done though, doesn’t it?”
“Flo, I am sorry for having to put all this on you but there was no one else.”
“I know and I don’t mind; you know I don’t. I would do anything for you, Roma.”
Roma smiled a watery smile.
Then together, we drifted off into a fitful sleep.