Total pages in book: 150
Estimated words: 143633 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 718(@200wpm)___ 575(@250wpm)___ 479(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 143633 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 718(@200wpm)___ 575(@250wpm)___ 479(@300wpm)
As it turns out, they were a long time coming, and Beverly took the pages slowly, commenting throughout, her reading interspersed with chatter and cups of coffee, until finally, we were laughing and joking. Comfortable, in spite of the circumstances. The hours sped by easily. So easily I lost track of the time.
My heart leapt up into my throat when I heard the front door opening. Rosie called out a hey, I’m home in a joyous tone and I heard her dump her bag in the hallway before she came bouncing into the room with a smile on her face.
Oh my Lord, how she stopped in her tracks when she caught sight of Beverly at the dining table.
“Mum?!” Her tears sprang instantly, her sobs taking her chest. “Mum? Did you come here… to see me… are you ok? Please say you’re ok.”
Beverly was up and on her feet in a flash, letting out a shhh before she took her daughter in her arms and held her tight, rocking her like she was her little girl. A treasure. She sobbed too as she kissed her head.
“I missed you so much,” she said.
“Me too.”
“I’m sorry for everything,” her mum said, and Rosie nodded.
“Me too.”
Beverly pulled away at that, and brushed the tears from Rosie’s cheeks, as I loved to do, smiling at her daughter like the angel she truly was.
“You don’t need to be sorry.” She looked over at me, and Rosie followed her gaze. “I’m glad you ran upstairs that night, love, and I’m glad you found him. The hero upstairs.”
Rosie choked on her tears. “Really? Yeah, well, so am I. I’m really, really glad I found the hero upstairs. I could never have found someone any better.”
“Steady on,” I laughed. “I’m not exactly a superhero.”
“Yes, you are,” Rosie said, smiling though tears. “You’re my superhero.”
And Beverly – her mother – smiled along with her.
I’m sure my cheeks must have been burning bright as I smiled over at them, with the optimism of acceptance like a bright sun in the darkness of my shame. I had to choke back tears of my own, blustering awkwardly.
“How about you two stay here to catch up?” I said. “You must have a lot to talk about. I’ll get some fresh air, and maybe some dinner for later.”
“That sounds amazing. Mum will love your steak,” Rosie said, and that sealed it. I grabbed my jacket and hugged my angel on my way through, giving another thank you to her mother.
I sighed in crazy relief when I closed the front door behind me, still struggling to believe the pendulum of life could swing so extremely from one direction to another. Faith was a glorious thing – one I hadn’t been all that blessed with for a long, long time – but chances are always there to be taken. Sometimes it just takes a little bit of bravery.
And an awful lot of honesty.
I knew where the post box was at the bottom of block two, with its crusty red paint that needed some attention, but still. It was in use.
I closed my eyes, lingering as I rested the bundle of letters on the slot. Could I do it? Dare I risk it?
Faith.
Faith and honesty.
Yes. I could.
With that, I dropped the letters into the post box, and walked on by.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Rosie
It was such a familiar feeling, opening the door to Mum’s place and stepping inside. The instinct was to say hey, Mum, I’m home, but I had to stop myself. This wasn’t home anymore. My home was upstairs.
Heart to hearts could never be more powerful than the one I’d had with Mum just over a week ago. Since then, we’d been spending time together whenever we could around her work, and my revision. I’d told her my story, and she’d told me hers, and here I was. It was time to meet my mum’s new partner.
I was excited to meet Tom and see how happy they were together in person. I had more faith in him than in anyone else she’d called her boyfriend, and I didn’t even know him. The look in her eyes was different when she spoke about him. The glow around her was natural, and grounded, with nothing fanatical about it. Nothing but respect and quiet love.
I was smiling brightly as I stepped into the living room to see him there next to her on the sofa. He looked way older than I’d have thought – completely grey with some wrinkles around his eyes, but that made no difference. His eyes were so warm.
“Lovely to meet you, Rosie,” he said, and stood up to shake my hand, but fuck that. I was growing bolder at expressing my feelings by the day.
I pulled him in for a hug.
“Lovely to meet you, too. Thanks for making my mum so happy.”