by Ruth Hay
“There have been major changes and minor ones. The speed is what has amazed me and what brought me to you, Wesley. I reached out to the women who had known my mother and me as a young child. I wanted to share something of the real Zoe with them. More surprising was the way I responded to a new friend, a woman who was linked to the others but not known to me. In fact, that has emerged as the most significant relationship at the moment.”
“In what way, specifically?”
“Corinne contacted me for help with her daughter. I can hardly believe it, but I offered this unknown girl a place to stay with me in my private eyrie, and the kind of help with her goals and ambitions that only an entrepreneur with big connections in the entertainment business could command. I had to call in favours to do this. I have never extended myself for a stranger in this way before. It’s astonishing to me.”
“How is that working out? Was it an error of judgment or a benefit?”
“Far from an error! I am truly invested in this girl’s success. It’s like she is a younger version of me when I first arrived in London. I have no idea if she has what it takes to survive here but I will be with her all the way if she means to continue.”
“That is a wonderful example of your new energy, Zoe. You mentioned minor changes also?”
“Some are not so minor, Wesley! I returned from the Lake District with a clear idea that I needed to find new living quarters. I had never seen my industrial-style loft as a symbol of the paucity of my life.
I suddenly saw my stark, colourless environment, devoid of any personal touches, as no longer representing my true nature. I have made a few improvements, of course, but I am now searching for a completely different environment. Somewhere I can decorate with much more colour and panache. Somewhere cozy and friendly, with a much more welcoming vibe. I feel I will find this place soon and I will know it in my heart instead of in the head that has always governed my decisions.”
“As an observer, I note the personal black and white theme you explained to me when we first met, has also had something of a make-over.”
She joined him in a laugh at this. “Yes, indeed! I won’t say it has been easy, but colour is creeping in and I must admit I like it a lot. I doubt I will emerge from this process as a brilliant butterfly and yet, when the colour is right, I feel invigorated.”
“Can I deduce from your outfit you were somewhat in trepidation about tonight’s session? Don’t answer if I have overstepped the boundary.”
“Not at all! I am surprised to find a man so observant with regard to female clothing. I guess the black suit gave me away.”
“Observation is at least fifty percent of my professional skill set but I can’t claim total familiarity with the significance of clothing choices without giving due credit to my receptionist. It’s Beth who is the expert in this area and she who has opened my eyes to that topic.”
Together they chorused, “Literally!” and the laugh rang out in a way Zoe would not have been able to enjoy a few short days before.
Wesley glanced at the wall clock. The session was almost over. He did not now think of it as work intruding into his weekend leisure. Time spent with Zoe Morton was rapidly becoming more akin to pleasure. There were two aspects to this. It signified his sessions with her might be reaching an end but it also meant she could be a friend outside of his work, once the professional association was over.
It was an appealing idea.
There was one more important idea he wanted to impart to her before she left. Donning his professional demeanour again, like a cloak he had temporarily set aside, he cleared his throat and brought the session back to its purpose.
“We came together tonight to talk about forgiveness. I think you know already it is not a singular event but rather a process. The pace at which you decide to progress through the process is your choice entirely. I can help guide you if you come to a place where you are unable to find a way forward.
I want to make it clear to you, Zoe, how far you have come in this quest for forgiveness. I am confident you will keep the goal in mind; peace for yourself, primarily, and for yourself as a daughter if it is possible.
I would like to share with you a quotation from an American poet whose name you will recognize.
When Robert Frost was asked if he had hope for the future, he answered in an unexpected way.
I think his answer could be meaningful for you, Zoe.
He said, ‘Yes, I have hope for the future and I have hope for the past.’ “
THE END
Watch for Part Three of the Seven Days Series coming soon on Amazon.
SEVEN DAYS BEYOND will advance the stories of Valerie, Sandra, Corinne, Carla and Zoe by several years. Don’t miss the exciting conclusion.
Keep up to date with Ruth Hay’s writing on her website: www.ruthhay.com and also on her Facebook pages.
Ruth Hay’s Prime Time Series was followed by Sea Changes and Sea Tides, a two-part adventure first on board a cruiseship and then finding out how the passengers dealt with the consequences when they return home.
A similar theme emerges in the new Seven Days Series. In the first novel, Seven Days There, four women reunite for a glorious holiday that becomes a gateway into past secrets and present day unresolved issues. In the sequel, Seven Days Back, these women return to home base and their men encounter the changes that have transformed the women in their lives.
Seven Days Beyond revisits the main characters to see if subsequent years have proved their changes to be beneficial or trivial.
A novel by Ruth Hay promises insights and intrigues.
