Total pages in book: 141
Estimated words: 134212 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 671(@200wpm)___ 537(@250wpm)___ 447(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 134212 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 671(@200wpm)___ 537(@250wpm)___ 447(@300wpm)
And then it hits me. I’m blessed. It seems like a ludicrous thing to conclude, but I am. Beyond my helplessness, beyond my loss, I’m blessed.
“Oh my, how rude of me.” Milly pushes her old hands into the arms of her chair to struggle her way up. “I’ve not even offered my guests a cup of tea.”
“No, please, there’s no need.” Luke crosses the small room in a few strides, encouraging Milly to sit again. He kneels in front of her, taking a hand in both of his. “Do you have many visitors, Milly?”
“Oh yes, dear. Mr. Sands visits on Friday to deliver my groceries, and my late sister’s granddaughter pops in from time to time when she’s in town.”
“She lives out of town?”
“Yes, up north somewhere. Newcastle, maybe. Or is it Hull? I forget.”
“That’s quite a way,” Luke says. “Is she in town often?”
“Once or twice a year, dear. But it’s always so lovely to see her.”
Luke visibly deflates before my eyes, and my heart clenches for the old lady. She gets one visitor a week? And I can’t imagine she gets out much; she’s not very mobile at all. The comprehension of her loneliness hits me hard.
“How would you like to go on a little road trip?” Luke asks. “To see Pops.”
Her old hand covers her chest, her eyes brimming. “I’m not the young, vivacious blonde I was all those years ago, Luke.”
“You’re perfect.”
“Oh behave, you scoundrel.” She smacks his arm on a chuckle. “Are you going to take me now?”
“Yes.” Luke stands and turns to me, his face pained. “Will you help Milly pack some things?”
“Pack? Am I staying away for long?” Milly glances around the room, like she could be checking to see if there’s anything that needs taking care of while she’s gone. There’s a plant that will maybe need watering before we leave. That’s all.
“It’s evening now,” Luke says. “It may be too late to bring you home tonight. I thought you could stay at my home? Maybe even for a few days?”
“Oh, a holiday. How exciting.”
Luke helps her to her feet and passes her the walking stick. “Lo will help you pack your pajamas.”
She chuckles as Luke passes her over to me, and we walk through to the only bedroom. “All these years,” she says quietly, turning her old eyes onto me. “All these years we’ve both been alone. Such a dreadful waste.” Her words strike a nerve and I smile, thoughtful, as I prepare her for her reunion. Such a waste. I’ve heard that too many times today. There are many things in life that seem to be such a waste. Lost friends. Lost lovers. Poor health. The death of a twenty-nine-year-old man.
But, like Milly, I think I need to embrace what’s within reach and cling to it earnestly. The alternative is being alone for the rest of my life. Or until it’s deemed acceptable to love again.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
God love her, she didn’t stop talking the entire way back to London. You would think she never gets the chance to speak to people, and then I remember . . . she really doesn’t. Luke and I peek at each other out the corner of our eyes constantly, smiling at her non-stop chitter-chatter, about anything and everything, the trees, the birds, the fields, the barren M25. She has something to say about everything, and Luke and I indulge her enthusiasm for the outside world, even stopping for a Starbucks at a service station. Milly called it “fashionable coffee like she’s seen on the TV” as we walked her back to the car. I was stunned she’d never even tried a cup before.
When we’re half an hour away from the city, Luke makes a call to Todd, asking him to pick up Pops and take him to Luke’s house. Obviously, he’s curious, but Luke refuses to tell.
Milly is full of oohs and aahs as we roll to a stop outside Luke’s impressive home, her neck craned to look. It’s a million miles away from the poky bungalow she’s just come from, and her wonder is evidence of that.
“I have butterflies in my tummy. I haven’t had butterflies since 1946.” She’s unsteady on her feet, more unsteady than usual, and she’s relying on Luke to help her up the steps. “Do I look okay?” Milly asks, forcing Luke to stop. She looks at him, clinging to his arm for support. Her dusky-pink floor-length skirt and matching blouse are lovely on her, the pearls around her neck finishing it perfectly. She’s even boofed up her hair a little, and I definitely detect a hint of stain on her lips. There’s no need for blush. Her cheeks are tinged pink with excitement and nerves.
“You look beautiful, Milly,” Luke says softly, stroking her cheek. “You’ll make his old knees weak, I just know it.”