I’m so happy it is August bank holiday weekend,” said Grace, just as Jessie’s back door opened.
“Not saying anything, Jess. But you’re huge,” said Kate, taking her riding boots off in the back porch.
“Well don’t hold back Kate!” laughed Grace, from the kitchen table where Jessie had laid out a lovely lunch for them.
“I’m twenty weeks pregnant and you’re not getting anything to eat after saying that,” said Jessie, pretending to be put out but delighted. Her last visit to the GP had gone well.
“Ah you know I don’t mean it in a bad way. It is twins, so you’re bound to be big!”
“Quit while you’re ahead eh, Kate!” laughed Grace, reaching for the salad bowl. “The time is flying along. Imagine you’re halfway there now!”
“Speaking of time flying. Any word from Donal – is his band available for Grace’s wedding?” said Jessie.
“Actually he rang last night. They’re going on tour but will be back in Ireland around the end of May.”
“Are you sure he’s okay about playing at a wedding? I mean the band is beginning to make a name!” asked Jessie.
“It’s for my sister! Of course he’ll do it,” laughed Kate, putting a great big lump of ham into a blaa, and taking a big bite out of it.
“Kate, you couldn’t be any sloppier. Look at you, you’ve got flour all around your mouth,” said Grace, handing her some kitchen roll. “What are you like!”
“I’m in a rush.”
Listening to the sisters’ banter, Jessie couldn’t help thinking how uninterested Grace was in any element of her wedding.
Kate put her riding boots back on in the back porch and said, “Have things to do and people to see, bye girls.”
“Thanks, Kate,” Jessie called after her.
“You’re welcome, Jess! Sure, aren’t I having a great time chatting with the tourists and taking in the views?”
“And you’re getting paid for that?” laughed Grace. “She’ll never do a day’s work for me again Jess.” Jessie could hear Kate laughing as the door closed and Grace rejoined her at the table.
“I’d be lost without her,” she said seriously to Grace. “And she won’t take any money.”
“She’s great Jess, but it’s also her way of helping you just like you were there to support her,” said Grace, with eyes filled with concern.
“I just can’t manage the physical work. The sciatic pain is unbearable at times. But enough about me, how are you doing?”
“Busy, but it’s how I like things to be.”
“I didn’t mean work, Grace.”
“I know you didn’t.” Grace averted her gaze. But Jessie continued.
“Are you really sure … about the wedding?” The moment Jessie asked, Grace got up and put her mug in the dishwasher.
“Yes, I am, Jess.”
“Okay … I’m sorry I asked.”
Grace walked behind Jessie’s kitchen chair and put her arms around her and said, “You only asked because you love me, I know that. See you tomorrow and let me know how the twenty-week scan goes.”
“Will do,” said Jessie, feeling guilty for questioning her.
As Grace walked across Jessie’s yard, a silver jeep pulled into the vacant place beside her car. Oh my God; her heart began to pound – it was Jack Leslie. He got out of the jeep and with a big smile on his face he walked towards her.
“Well if it isn’t Grace Fitzgerald,” he said, his grey-green eyes sparkling in the sunlight. Never caught for words, she was completely overwhelmed by the force of his presence. She moved slightly towards him and he seemed to think she had intended to kiss him in greeting. They kind of bumped off one another and then both laughed, embarrassed by it all. “Jack, err, emm. It’s good to see you,” she managed to say.
“And you.” She noticed he was looking at her left hand. She twiddled her ring with her fingers and dropped it out of sight.
“You’re engaged, congrats. Who’s the lucky man?” he asked. She thought or maybe she wished she could see a hint of regret on his face. No it was only her imagination. How could there be? He was married. She was engaged, what was she playing at?
“Dirk Fleischer, he’s not originally from here.”
“I could have guessed with a name like that.” He laughed and the lines around his eyes crinkled just like she remembered, making him even more handsome. There was still a sureness about him that had always attracted her. She immediately felt protected even though the last feeling he provoked in her was safety. None of it made sense to her. She just had to get away. He being a memory was one thing, but not this. “Well, eh. It’s been lovely to see you. Take care.” She sounded so formal even to her own ears.
“You too,” he said.
Getting into her car she noticed he hadn’t moved and in her fluster she couldn’t start the car. He walked towards it.
“Shit,” she muttered but thankfully it started on her second attempt. She gave a wave through the window and drove away at speed, leaving a cloud of dust behind her, so much so she could only barely make him out in the rear-view mirror. She hit a pothole and nearly lost control. “Slow down, you big eejit.” Oh God this can’t be normal, she thought. He’s just a man. Oh but what a man!
Jack watched her drive away in her silver Golf convertible. God, he thought, she was even more beautiful than he’d remembered. He’d been home nine weeks and hadn’t tried to contact her. He had heard she was engaged. But seeing her he couldn’t believe the effect she had on him. He actually couldn’t stop looking at the car as she drove away. She’d think he was some kind of weirdo staring after it. “Get a grip,” he muttered.
“Hey Jack,” called Geoff, coming out of the American barn. “We’re just about to tack up.”
“I’m looking forward to this. It’s been a while since I rode out.”
“You’ll have aches and pains tomorrow so,” laughed Geoff. “This is Jay, he’s coming with us.”
“How’s it goin?” the young lad said, continuing to tack up.
“Jay’s got his amateur jockey’s licence recently. He’s some man at the point-to-points.”
“What am I letting myself in for?” laughed Jack.
“Ah we’ll go easy on you, won’t we Jay!” said Geoff, slapping him on the back. The young lad smiled.
At nine-fifteen on Monday morning, Geoff helped Jessie as she wiggled her way into the jeep.
“They’re going to be fine strapping babies,” he joked.
“And this is you being supportive. I’m so big now I’d give the Michelin man a run for his money. I’m so looking forward to the twenty-week scan. The babies will be much clearer on it,” said Jessie, beaming.
Thirty minutes later, Geoff pulled into the drop-off point at the hospital entrance. “Save you walking from the car park, pet.” He smiled as he ran around the jeep to help her out.
“Thanks, Geoff,” she said. As the pregnancy progressed her sciatic pain was getting worse. She did her best not to complain, she was so grateful to be pregnant. It was a small price to pay. Sitting in the lobby, she watched the comings and goings of people. She noticed a group of people gathered who seemed to have been given bad news, God love them, she thought as Geoff arrived. “Are you okay, honey?” he asked. But rather than explain what she had noticed, she said, “Ah, it’s just my sciatica acting up again.”
“We’ll take our time,” said Geoff kindly.
They walked through the maze of corridors to the outpatients’ clinic. Eventually her name was called. She lay down on the plinth and the nurse spread the gooey stuff and then her two beautiful babies appeared, clearly visible on the monitor.
“It’s fascinating,” said Geoff, beaming.
“Yes, babies are little miracles. They are so clear and so easy to see,” the nurse remarked. Dr Morrison began to take measurements. Suddenly there was a palpable tension in the room. Jessie wondered was she imagining it. Everything was going to be fine, wasn’t it?
He asked them to go across the hall to another room. He said he’d be with them shortly. A few minutes later the door opened and when she saw the doctor’s ashen face she knew there was something seriously wrong. He sat in the chair opposite them and began to speak. “I’m sorry,” he paused. Then he spoke again. “Your babies are doing fine but unfortunately your placenta is creating too much water. This could bring on premature labour. Hydropic pregnancy is a rare condition, but can occur in twin pregnancy. It is happening early in your pregnancy. It may or may not stop.”
Jessie looked at Geoff who was staring at the doctor in disbelief. She wondered had she heard him properly. What was he saying? What did he mean? The babies were fine, she had just seen them and she felt them moving all the time. What was he talking about?
“Can’t we do something?” she whispered. “Surely, I … can do something. My babies are fine you said. I will take it easier. Please tell me what I can do to make it stop?”
“I’m sorry. It is just one of those things. It may or may not stop,” the doctor repeated. “There is nothing we can do this early in the pregnancy. I have to be truthful with you … if I were a gambling man the odds are stacked very gravely against you.”
“What are they, Doctor?” Geoff asked.
“Ninety-nine per cent against,” answered the doctor, shifting uncomfortabley in his chair as he spoke. She looked at Geoff. She could see her own pain reflected on his face.
“Well,” she said, her voice filled with desperation. “You did say there is a one per cent chance. We’ll take those odds, won’t we, Geoff?” Geoff just nodded his head.
“Rest and do as little as possible, and call me if you have any unusual pain. I’m always here for you,” advised Dr Morrison as he walked them to the door. She linked Geoff because her legs had turned to jelly and she was afraid she’d fall to the floor. How could this be happening to them? It wasn’t until she eventually sat into the jeep that the full impact of what the doctor had said hit her.
She wouldn’t cry because that would be giving up and as long as she had her babies she’d never give up. “It’s okay, Geoff, it’s going to stop. I know it. Why would God give us two babies when we thought we were only having one? He won’t take them, Geoff. It’s just not going to happen.”
Geoff sat frozen in the driver’s seat. He said nothing at all and then he took her hand in his and squeezed it gently. Moments later he started the jeep.
“Let’s not tell anyone about this because they’ll just worry, okay,” she said, trying desperately not to cry.
“Okay,” he replied.
Later that evening when Geoff and Sam were in the living room watching TV Jessie went to her bedroom. Lying on the bed her mobile phone kept ringing so she turned it to silent.
She had thought getting past twelve weeks was all that she’d had to worry about and now this. It was so unfair. She couldn’t answer the texts or calls. What could she say? The scan went great – that would be a lie. But she’d be damned before she’d tell anyone, not even Grace, what the doctor had said. She turned her face into the pillow to bury the sound of the sobs that racked her body. How could this be happening? Why, God? Why me? She thought it was so unfair.
Four weeks later, Grace woke to the sound of Dirk walking into the bedroom with a tray laden with freshly squeezed orange juice, coffee buttered hot croissants with the Sunday papers tucked under his arm. “Wakey, wakey!”
Grace smiled up at him. God, she thought, he was good-looking, with his broad shoulders, blond hair and sallow skin inherited from his German father and the most piercing blue eyes. She had been right to set a date. They lazed on the bed munching and sipping with the newspapers spread across it.
“I missed this last weekend when I was in Poole at the regatta.”
Grace laughed. “Nothing to the hangover you don’t miss. For a fit bunch of lads into rowing they sure know how to drink.”
Dirk just smiled. “I’m glad you don’t make a big deal about me going away with the lads. Some of the women go crazy. I hope you’re not going to change when we get married.”
“Dirk, I have no intention of being joined at the hip by a ring. Thank you very much.”
“Good,” he said, stretching over to kiss her.
“The summer seems to have flown by. It’s hard to believe we’re in the middle of August already. Hey Dirk, remember I told you I met an American lady on the aeroplane back in June?”
“Yes,” he said, flicking through the newspaper.
“She’s coming here on Friday. I’ve booked her in to The Meadows.”
“I’ll sort out an upgrade, eh!” he said, absently. “Hey, I forgot to tell you I arranged for us to go kayaking with Paul and Anna today.”
“Ah Dirk, I’m wrecked. Why didn’t you ask me first?”
“Because I knew you’d say that. Anyway as you’ve just said the summer is nearly over. We have to make the most of the good weather. Ah come on, Grace, we’ll have some fun. Get ready, they’ll be along in fifteen minutes.” He laughed, hopping up and going into the bathroom.
“You’re such a plonker!”
“I heard that.” He laughed again from inside the bathroom. She smiled. Life was never dull around Dirk.
“This is absolutely fabulous,” said Grace as a school of dolphins splashed and played right up close to her kayak. It was one of the most exhilarating experiences of her life although terrifying too because she was so afraid of capsizing.
“I knew you’d love it!” said Dirk, paddling up beside her. His blond hair fell into his eyes and he flicked his head back to clear his vision. He could so easily have been a model. Sometimes she wondered what he saw in her. She was four years older and not bad looking but he could have had anyone and yet he had chosen her. He leaned towards her and managed to plant a kiss on her lips.
“Hey, get a room,” a voice called from a passing fishing boat. They all laughed.
As they paddled back towards the beach passing the pier she heard someone call the name Jack. Startled by the effect the name alone had on her, when she realised it was actually Jack Leslie, she nearly capsized. He was standing high up on the storm wall. A group of teenagers were joking and laughing up at him. What the hell was he doing up there, she thought? There was a young blonde girl in a bikini shouting up, “Don’t do it Jack!”
She stopped paddling and Dirk nearly crashed into her. “Grace, sorry about that but what did you stop for?”
“Hey Dirk, yer man is going to do a back flip. He’s a bit long in the tooth for that,” remarked Paul.
“He’s not that old,” she muttered, not realising she had said it out loud.
“Let’s watch,” said Anna. Grace was filled with concern. It was a long way down and she hoped he knew what he was doing. And who was the blonde girl, she wondered. His wife had had dark hair in the wedding photograph and she hadn’t looked that much younger than him.
Grace watched as he walked to the edge and back-flipped off the pier, but there was no sign of him coming back up. Oh God, she thought, and then there was a burst of applause mixed with laughter from the crowd gathered.
“Nice one,” said Paul as he and Anna continued to paddle towards the beach. Grace was all flustered and tried to organise her paddle.
“Ah come on Grace, you had it going perfectly. What’s the matter?” asked Dirk.
Between the wetsuit, the life jacket and the paddle she felt like a drowned rat and she was exhausted. “Go ahead. Am I stopping you?” she said with more than a hint of irritation.
“Fine so,” he said, paddling off after the others.
“Hi there …”
“What the …!” It was Jack treading the water beside her kayak, smiling up at her. It was the last thing she needed. “For God’s sake Jack, are you crazy diving off that storm wall? Do you think you’re twenty all over again?
“You’ll never know how much I’d like to be twenty again.” He grinned cheekily up at her. “Anyway, why are you so concerned?”
She gave him a withering look and tried desperately to make a decent exit. She said, “I’m not.”
“Do you want a push?” he said, still treading the water.
“Don’t you have somewhere to be?” she said, directing her gaze to the blonde bombshell on the pier who was waiting anxiously for him.
“See ya so,” he said, gliding through the water like bloody Tarzan.
Meanwhile she felt like a big rubber blob with straw for hair plonked on a big piece of orange plastic. She paddled off with as much dignity as she could muster. She looked ridiculous while the blonde could have starred in Baywatch. Then she thought miserably, she probably wasn’t even born when Baywatch was a hit.
Dirk came over to help her pull the kayak on to the beach while Paul chatted with a fisherman who offered them mackerel from his little gas stove. The man was waxing lyrical about the joys of the simple things in life.
“Do you know that guy?” whispered Dirk, standing right beside her as she listened to the fisherman. “Him?” she said, looking at the fisherman. “No.”
Dirk looked at her questioningly and then walked over to the stove, saying, “They look lovely. I didn’t realise how hungry I was. Can’t beat exercise!”
She turned away and peeled off the top of the wetsuit, leaving it hanging around her waist. Why was she being so short with Dirk? She wasn’t being fair. Earlier they had left their towels, clothes and a picnic in the boot of her car but now she just wanted to leave. But Dirk and the others were enjoying themselves. And the plan had been to spend the rest of day swimming and relaxing on the beach.
“I’m going to the car,” she said to nobody in particular. They were all so busy chatting and tasting mackerel none of them took any notice. Looking towards where Jack and his friends were sitting she thought she had been so right to say yes to Dirk. Her memory of Jack was so far from how he was. He was such a huge flirt. Climbing the cliff-side steps to where the car was parked along the roadside, she glanced again in Jack’s direction and noticed there was a dark-haired woman in the group as well. She must be his wife, she thought and just then Jack waved up at her, smiling. She tripped and with cheeks burning she managed to get up but didn’t dare look back in his direction. She was absolutely mortified.
When she got to her car she took her mobile from the glove compartment and checking it she thought just how much she’d love not to have to go back to the beach. But when she heard her voice mail, without a single thought she jumped into the driver’s seat and drove away at speed.
Geoff had left a message to ask Grace to come urgently. Thankfully he had just hung up when Grace rang back to say she was on her way. He needed her to take care of Sam while he brought Jessie to the hospital. He told her Jessie was in unbearable pain and had had a bleed. She was so bloated she could hardly move.
Seven minutes later when Grace arrived at the cottage, Geoff was already helping Jessie into the jeep.
“Gracey, you look funny,” said Sam, running towards her. She bent down on her knees with the wetsuit half-on-half-off and said. “I have a great idea. Let’s get your swimming togs and go back to the beach. We’ll have great fun.”
“Okay, see you later, Mum,” he said, running to find his swimming gear.
“I didn’t tell him we’re going to the hospital. He already knows something is wrong. I don’t want to worry him any more than necessary,” whispered Geoff. “Thanks for this Grace, keep him busy and distracted.”
She nodded and went around to the passenger’s side and opened the door. Jessie’s face was grey and anxious. Grace simply brushed her hand along Jessie’s head and shoulder and said, “I’ll take good care of him.” Jessie nodded as Geoff started the engine and then the jeep disappeared at speed down the driveway.
The private jet from New York landed in Shannon. Sophia was glad to be greeted by a warm, sunny, August day unlike the rainy June day she had left Ireland. She and Grace had been in regular contact by email and her plan to travel to the south east was a new departure for her. She had become quite fascinated by what the young woman was trying to achieve in a small town called Bayrush.
Over the years she had visited Dublin, Belfast and Cork, and she and Bill had driven the entire Western seaboard. As much as she had loved it she was glad to be travelling to a new part. So often her memories overwhelmed her. She wondered would it ever get easier, glad to be distracted from her reverie by the young man from the car rental company. “There you go, Mrs Wynthrope,” he said, handing her the keys of a C-class Mercedes.
“You sure you’re okay driving on the left-hand side? Take your time now. It takes a bit of getting used to.” He seemed particularly worried, possibly because she was old enough to be his grandmother. “I’m glad you chose an automatic. Will I run through how the satellite navigator works?”
“No, it’s fine thanks. I’ll figure it out.”
“Ah grand,” he said, clearly impressed and a little more relieved. “Enjoy your holiday so!” He smiled as he held the car door open for her. She sat in and waited until he disappeared from sight. Then, smiling to herself, she spread the map she’d picked up earlier across the steering wheel. Tipperary, the name popped out at her. What was the song called? ‘It’s a long way to Tipperary.’ She sat foolishly humming and then declared. “That’s it Tipperary, here I come.”
About an hour and a half and lots of wrong turns later she saw a bed and breakfast. From the front drive she could see a spectacular group of medieval buildings in the distance with what seemed to be a round tower. Rolling green fields cascaded down into the valley beneath. It had never crossed her mind to stay anywhere but a five star hotel but for some reason unknown to her she had pulled into the drive. Moments later she rang the doorbell. A lady with a round, friendly face answered it.
“Come in, come in. My name is Rita and yes we have a room I hope you’ll like – it’s en suite! You can see if it suits you. Now we don’t have a TV in any of our bedrooms. But we do have a communal living room with a TV, books and newspapers. We like people to enjoy our home.”
The lady smiled. Sophia guessed she was in her sixties. She followed her up the mahogany staircase.
“The room is very pretty.”
“Now I can recommend some restaurants or if you like I offer an evening meal.”
“An evening meal would be perfect, thank you.”
“Gracey, is my mommy going to be okay? They think I don’t know that Daddy is bringing her to the hospital.”
Oh God, thought Grace, how can I answer this? “Sometimes they just have to check things out. But hey Sam, Dirk has a kayak and he’s dying to bring you for a spin in it, just within the harbour walls. It’ll be fun.”
“I’m big enough to go right out to sea,” he declared from his booster on the back seat of her car. Great, thought Grace, that had sidetracked him.
“I’m sure you are, little man. Now you can help me carry the picnic basket down. I’m so glad you’re here,” she said, ruffling his red curls as she took the basket and a rug out of the boot. She could see the concerned look on Dirk’s face when he saw her coming down the cliff steps. He ran up towards them. “Is everything okay, Grace?” he asked.
She was behind Sam so she shook her head but said, “Fine, I just thought Sam might like to join us and go for a spin in the kayak with you.”
“Great idea, buddy,” said Dirk, taking the basket from Grace and continuing back down the steps, chatting away with Sam. She was so grateful that he had got the hint immediately and now that he had taken over she could feel a weakness descend on her.
She sat beside Anna and watched as Dirk managed to borrow a child’s life jacket from a parent on the beach. He’d make a great dad, she thought, as she watched him paddling around the harbour with a very happy Sam.
“Oh Anna, I just don’t know what to think. Why? Why is life so unfair? Jessie has already been through a miscarriage. And when she unexpectedly became pregnant with twins, well, it was just so exciting.”
“Everything will be fine,” said Anna, trying to sound reassuring. “Sure she’s well over twelve weeks. They’re just being extra careful.” Grace nodded, knowing that Anna had even less experience of pregnancy than her.
“Isn’t Dirk fantastic with Sam, well who would have thought?” remarked Paul, coming in from the sea and picking up a towel to dry himself.
“And you finally set a date. Good for ye!” said Anna. “I’m looking forward to it already.”
“Mmmnn, sorry, Anna, I’m just … well …”
Paul looked at her quizzically. “Oh no … Not about the wedding. I’m just distracted, my mind is at the hospital imagining all kinds of scenarios.”
“Of course, we can take care of Sam if you want to go …”
“Oh no, no. Thank you for offering. I wouldn’t dream of leaving him. I’ll think I’ll swim out to join them. It might help to take my mind off things.”
“Do,” agreed Anna, touching her husband’s shoulder as he sat down beside her on the rug. They had been married three years and Grace knew how much they wanted a baby but it hadn’t happened yet. It must be upsetting for them too. Why was life never straightforward, she wondered as she dived into the cool blue sea.
After the initial investigations Jessie had finally got a bed in the hospital and the doctor had told her to rest. She had been dozing when she woke to the sound of someone in the room. She looked up in a half-dazed state.
“My name is Fr. Albert,” said the monk dressed in brown friar’s robes. “I thought you might like some company for a minute.”
“Hi,” she muttered. “Is it going to be okay?”
He looked at her and paused for a minute and then said, “I don’t know. But I do know that God will be with you one way or the other and he will help you deal with this. Even when you think he doesn’t exist he will find a way to help all of you.”
She looked into his sincere, round brown eyes and said, “Thanks, I needed to hear that.” Moments later Geoff arrived from the hospital shop with water and a newspaper. “Who was that?”
“An angel, just when I needed one …”
At seven Sophia went downstairs to the large living room. There were some tables set near a large window overlooking a well-tended garden.
“Would you like a glass of white wine?” asked Rita, coming in a door leading from where Sophia presumed the kitchen might be.
“Thank you, Rita.”
“Make yourself at home,” she said, handing Sophia a crystal glass filled to the brim. Sophia smiled, thinking if she was in a hotel the large glass would be half filled. “Now I have chicken liver pate with melba toast for starter and lamb shank to follow.”
“Sounds wonderful, do you have other guests tonight?”
Sophia smiled as she listened to Rita. She loved the Irish accent. It was the way they spoke, their turn of phrase. Over time Sophia had noticed the variation in accents around the country and Rita’s was completely new to her. She always had to concentrate hard because people spoke at a much quicker pace.
“Not tonight but we have four due on Saturday night as part of a coach tour group. It’s slower since the recession but sure we make the best of it. Now you must be starvin’. I’ll be back in a sec,” she said, retreating through the door she had come in. There was music playing softly in the background and Sophia sipped her wine and perused the daily newspaper as she waited.
After dinner, Sophia sat on the comfortable couch.
“Would you like tea or coffee, Sophia?”
“Tea, please, but are you free to join me?”
“I will so, just give me a few minutes.” Rita smiled, taking the dessert plate that had previously been filled with the most tasteful fresh fruit pavlova.
“No rush at all. I haven’t felt this relaxed in a long time. Thank you so much for the wonderful meal.”
“You’re very welcome, Sophia.”
When Rita came back she placed a tray on the coffee table, and plopped down beside Sophia.
“The room is beautiful,” Sophia said, adding, “You must collect antique furniture!”
Pouring the tea Rita began to chat about how she had decided to open a bed and breakfast. Sophia found her hugely entertaining as she recounted little anecdotes of her experiences over the years. Eventually she asked, “So what brings you to Ireland, Sophia?”
“I’m thinking of moving here for a while.” The question had been so unexpected that Sophia had shocked herself by her answer.
“Oh and why in God’s name would you want to do that? The weather is terrible; the country is collapsing around us. Not to mention the health service and as for crime …”
“Rita, you’re in the tourism business!”
“If the tourism people heard me, I’d be struck off the approved list,” she laughed and then carried on. “But do you know Sophia, if the truth be told, I wouldn’t live anywhere else. A few years back we even went on one of those organised trips in the good times to buy an apartment in Spain. My Jimmy was all talk about it. But when push came to shove we couldn’t do it.”
“Why not?”
“Sure, I love Ireland and we’ve a granddaughter. She’s three years old. Sure isn’t that what it’s all about? I’ll let you off to bed Sophia before you drop off in front of my eyes.”
“Thanks for the chat, Rita,” said Sophia, getting up. As she began to climb the staircase she noticed a photograph of Rita sitting proudly with her little granddaughter perched on her lap, surrounded by her family. The loneliness overwhelmed her. Richard was right. She was running but it was better than doing nothing. Or shutting down like him.