Chloë was thrilled to hear her daughter on the phone. ‘How are things?’ she asked Alexa.
‘I’m fine.’
‘I was just planning our flights for Christmas. Shall we come to you first?’
‘Not a good idea. We’re selling up and I’m flat hunting.’
Chloë sighed. So the separation was final. ‘So soon. You could use our flat for as long as you need.’
‘Thanks, might do that, but I must find something of my own.’
‘You sound very stressed. Why don’t you fly out to us for a week? It’s quite lively over here at Christmas time.’
‘Mummy, I don’t feel lively. I’m better off left alone this year. I have friends I can visit. Christmas is off, as far as I’m concerned.’
‘But we’d love to see you,’ Chloë pleaded. She longed for things to be as they once were.
‘Mummy, don’t fuss. I’m just not very sociable at the moment. I need my own space to think things through.’
‘But we’ve acres of space here and we do miss you,’ Chloë persisted.
Silence at the other end.
‘I’d better go now – got a lot to do. Love you.’ Alexa’s phone clicked off.
Chloë sat on the floor and cried. Why won’t she let me in? What’s going on? She looked around her workroom, then pulled out a carved wooden box, spilling its contents onto the floor. She began picking up old cards and photographs. ‘You were such a lovely baby and a joy to hold.’
Here was her pink baby weight card from the clinic, the plastic wristband worn when she was first born. There was a glowing school report, her baptism certificate and a rosette from that win at the gymkhana. A school photograph, with her gorgeous curly hair scraped back under a straw Panama hat, made Chloë smile. ‘Why did you have to grow up and marry the wrong man? Just as I did, I suppose. You were looking at the handsome external bits of him rather than into his true heart.’ Only later had Chloë found out that Charlie and she had very little in common… Except you, darling. Once you were grown there was nothing to cling to. But you and I were always together, sharing so many holidays, trips and memories. You’re my beautiful golden egg, who hatched and flew the nest straight into the arms of Hugh.
Perhaps if Muhammad wouldn’t come to the mountain, it was time to book a flight and turn up on the doorstep. You’ll have to face me then, Chloë thought. She jumped up full of excitement with her idea. I’ll spend Christmas with you and it’ll be like old times. Simon can stay here and sing. He’ll understand – he always does. Nothing here that couldn’t be missed when she was needed elsewhere.