“Hey.”
“Hey.” Molly checked her watch. It was just after ten when she answered Georgina’s call. She had even wondered whether Georgina would ring that night. Just because they had spoken every day since Christmas, and just because Georgina seemed to take every opportunity to return to Leicester to see Molly, this in no way committed Georgina to a daily routine. In fact she hoped that Georgina didn’t feel obliged to ring out of an established habit, but that she wanted to ring her, and like Molly, she could not bear the thought of a day passing without hearing her voice.
“Sorry I couldn’t get back to you straight away.”
“That’s okay.” Molly closed her laptop and folded her arms resting them against her kitchen table. “It was hectic at work anyway. We collected Edith’s objects from the records office. And then I had an after-school visit. Oh, and I wanted to mention that we’re going to put Edith’s display in the foyer for maximum impact and footfall.”
“Okay, makes sense.”
“Although we’ve been squashed up a corner half under the stairs, so we don’t block the exit. But I’m going to get some artwork blown up for the wall. I was thinking maybe a copy of Edith’s handwriting to provide that personal connection to reach out to visitors.”
“Good idea.”
“Thanks. The opening is scheduled for the first of Feb to coincide with the beginning of LGBT history month. Wow, that’s just over three weeks away.”
“The first. Okay. I’ll get it in my diary.”
“Fab.” Molly couldn’t bring herself to mention Lydia, at least not for a few more precious moments. “So enough about me. How’s your day been?”
“The usual. Although I did manage to grab lunch with Estelle Oberon. She really has a particular soft spot for you. I was to be sure to send you her best wishes and to thank you for your card. I didn’t know you’d sent her a card.”
“Just a thank-you notelet for having me at New Year’s. I felt bad because I’m pretty sure I might have been the reason they ran out of cheese.”
Georgina laughed. “You’ll be relieved to know it didn’t come up in conversation. I was telling her about Edith’s display, though. She was impressed.”
“That’s encouraging.” She couldn’t put it off any longer. She would have to tell Georgina about what happened today. She would keep it low-key. “There’s something else I wanted, well, needed to talk to you about.”
“Sounds ominous.”
“It’s just we had an unexpected visitor at the museum.”
“Okay.”
Keep it breezy. “Your mum, as it happens.”
“My mother? Today?”
“Yep. This morning. It was quite a surprise in that she had come to collect Edith’s portrait of Josephine.” Molly felt herself tense. “It seems she’s under the impression that it belongs to her. I don’t know how she convinced Evelyn—”
“Really?” Georgina let out a long deep sigh. “I’m so sorry. She’s used the letter. The one from my father.”
What, you knew? “I’m sorry, what letter? I don’t understand.”
“Do you remember I had that phone call just before Christmas from my father’s solicitor? I rang them back last week. They said my mother had been in touch with them and explained that she has a letter from my father gifting the painting to her.”
“But that doesn’t make sense.”
“Nope.”
“If he’d done this, why would your father not mention it to you, why make it such a mystery? And for that matter, why gift something so precious to someone who hurt you so much?”
“I have absolutely no idea.”
“What did the solicitor say?”
“He said there was nothing to suppose that the letter wasn’t genuine. At the opening my mother did mention something about a letter from my father that she wanted me to read. At the time I didn’t think it meant anything. I’m sorry, Molly.”
“It’s hardly your fault.”
“I promise, I tried to make it clear to the solicitor that she couldn’t just take the painting, and that it was part of a museum display, but as she’s the legal owner, I guess she can do as she pleases, as she always has. I didn’t mention this to you before because it is such a magical time for us, and everything to do with my mother brings drama and upset. For some reason I thought she wouldn’t just turn up out of the blue and take the painting, and that I would have time to find the right moment to tell you.”
“As it happens, I asked her not to take it.”
“You did?”
“I begged her actually. I explained about the painting’s history and how much it meant. She said she knew about it featuring in a display but not how important it was.”
“Right. And I take it that didn’t change her mind?”
“Well, not exactly.”
“Okay, why do I sense a catch?”
You have to tell her.
“Molly?”
“She is prepared to lend the painting for Edith’s display in exchange for—”
“What does she want?”
“To see you. I guess she’s worked out we’re together, and I suppose she thought I might be able to persuade you.”
“And if I don’t see her, what then, she’ll take the painting and walk away without looking back?”
Molly could feel Georgina’s anger resonating on the line.
With her voice newly inflamed Georgina said, “Did she honestly imagine that she could use the painting and how much she now knows it means to you to get to me? Well she can keep it. I won’t play her games and I certainly won’t be blackmailed.”
Molly didn’t know what to say.
“I’m sorry. I hate that you have been affected by this,” Georgina said, softening her tone. “You know that, don’t you?”
“Uh-huh.” Don’t make her feel bad, not like last time. “It’s okay. Really. I wouldn’t expect you to speak to her. In fact I’ve already reimagined the display to feature the sketches in place of the portrait, so no probs.” It was a small white lie. At least now she knew that she would have to.
“Right, well, that’s good to know.”
That was enough heartache for one phone call. She just wanted to focus on them. Just them. “Do you have time to meet at the weekend? I know it’s Monday and we only saw each other yesterday—”
“I was thinking tomorrow evening? I’ll work on the train back to London the next morning.”
“And I’m thinking that’s awesome.”
Georgina laughed.
“I miss you.” Molly didn’t care if that sounded needy—she simply couldn’t end the call without saying it.
“Me too.”
“See you tomorrow night then.”
“Yes, I’ll text with times. Goodnight.”
“Goodnight.” Molly heard the phone signal drop. “I love you,” she whispered, entrusting her words to the confidence of her softly beating heart.