‘She what?’ Freya’s eyebrows rose.
‘Dad said it’s not my fault and I mustn’t worry or feel guilty but in light of what I’ve done recently, it’s hard to believe I’m blameless.’
‘I’m pretty sure it’s not your fault.’ Freya pressed her lips together.
‘Dad said that Grandma is eighty-one and she still smokes and drinks and the doctor said he’s surprised she hasn’t collapsed before, the way she abuses her body, and because of how she still rushes about. But it’s likely this was brought on by stress.’
‘She never was very good at relaxing or letting things go.’
‘I’ll need to try to get a flight from Oslo tomorrow.’
‘So soon?’ Jonas asked.
‘I have to go and see her. If I didn’t and she… she died, I’d feel awful. For all her faults’ – she reached out and took Freya’s hands – ‘and they are many, I need to see her even if it’s to say goodbye. I know that she did love me in her own way. What she did to you, and to us, is unforgivable but—’
‘I already told you, Frankie, that you have to let that go or it will eat you up. Anger is so destructive. You’re young and free and you have a life ahead of you to enjoy.’
‘I never thought about it like that before.’ Her stomach churned as she mulled over the words. She was free now, really free. She wasn’t Rolo’s fiancée or in Grandma’s debt and she could do anything she wanted to do.
‘Of course you are. It’s your life, my angel.’
‘Will you come with me?’
Freya dropped her gaze and toyed with her bangles, pushing them up her arm then letting them fall back to her wrist.
‘Oh, Frankie, I don’t know if I could.’
‘I know it won’t be easy but I’d really like it if you did. We’ve only just found each other and I don’t want to leave you. Come with me and spend some time in London.’
‘There’s the gallery though…’
‘We can sort that out, Freya,’ Jonas said.
Freya looked at Jonas. ‘Would you be all right there for a few days or longer?’
He shook his head. ‘I’m coming with you.’
‘What?’ Frankie and Freya blurted the question together.
‘Well… I’m concerned about you… both. So I’ll come too.’
Frankie looked from Jonas to her mother and back again. ‘You both want to come to London?’
‘I’ve never been there and have always wanted to see it.’ Jonas nodded. ‘Now’s as good a time as any. Besides, after everything, I think Freya could do with the moral support. And don’t worry about the gallery, Freya, I’ll sort something out.’
‘Jonas, you really are an angel.’ Freya smiled.
‘That’s settled then. Shall we see if we can book some flights?’
Frankie pulled out her mobile and scrolled down to the search engine. As she flicked through the flight times leaving Oslo the next day, she couldn’t help feeling a sense of hope. Grandma was ill and that was devastating, but she’d also been saddened at the idea of having to leave her mother behind. That idea hurt and if Grandma’s health declined, it would be some time before Frankie would be able to return to Norway. But, thankfully, Freya wanted to come with her, so they could continue getting to know each other.
And the bonus was that Jonas was coming too. For some reason, that warmed her through, and she realized that she hadn’t wanted to leave him behind either.
Chapter 21
As the black cab pulled up outside her London home, Frankie’s heart grew heavy. Bringing Freya and Jonas here had seemed like a good idea in Norway, but now that they were back in the grey winter drizzle of her home city, she wondered at the wisdom of her decision. Freya had suggested that she and Jonas book into a hotel and give Frankie a chance to speak to her father first, but Frankie had been nervous about letting them out of her sight. She was afraid in case she never saw them again, as if she’d conjured them in Norway and they would disappear behind the clouds, like the northern lights had, if she wasn’t holding onto them.
In spite of these feelings, it was nice to be home. So much had happened since she’d last been here that she could imagine years had passed. She glanced at her mother, wondering how she felt, because it actually had been years since she’d been there. Did it feel like home to her at all, or just a place she’d prefer to forget?
She paid the driver then opened the door and got out, breathing in the familiar scents of London. The four-floor grade II listed Victorian buildings hadn’t changed in the time she’d been away, but she had, and in a strange way she felt as though they should have too. But they stood there, white and solid as ever, stucco-fronted with their porticoed entrances and first-floor balconies. They were truly beautiful and Frankie imagined how impressive they would likely seem to a stranger.
Jonas got their luggage out of the boot then stood on the pavement gazing around him.
‘You live here?’
‘Yes.’
‘It’s… enormous and very grand.’
‘I’d forgotten how impressive it is.’ Freya came to stand next to them. ‘Are you sure this is a good idea, Frankie? I’m sure that the last thing your father needs right now is his… me and a strange Norwegian man turning up on his doorstep.’
‘He’s not here at the moment because he’s gone to the hospital – a text came through just after we landed. Besides, there’s plenty of room. Dad spends so much time at work or playing golf that this is more like a hotel to him.’
‘Poor Hugo.’ Freya shook her head.
They climbed the stone steps and Frankie retrieved her key from her bag and pushed it into the lock. The door opened and they went inside.
The airy hallway smelt of lilies and beeswax furniture polish, as it always did, and Frankie swallowed the lump in her throat, realizing that Grandma usually greeted her whenever she returned home. That might never happen again.
Approaching footsteps alerted her to the presence of Annie, their housekeeper. She’d only been with them for about six months. None of their housekeepers lasted long because of what she thought of as ‘the Helen Ashford Effect’. Her grandmother’s harsh tongue and demands always proved too much for the housekeepers over time, and one had even walked out after two days. It meant that Frankie had never had the chance to get to know any of them very well and that the opportunity of having another female role model around never happened.
‘Ah, there you are, Miss Ashford! Mr Ashford said you’d be back today. How was your flight?’
‘It was good, thanks, but obviously I wanted to get home as soon as possible.’
‘Of course.’
‘Any news?’
‘About Mrs Ashford?’
‘Yes.’
‘Nothing as yet. Mr Ashford has gone to see her and will be speaking to the doctors.’ Annie smiled at Frankie then eyed Freya and Jonas. ‘We have guests?’
‘Yes, Annie. They’ll be staying too.’
‘Of course, Miss Ashford. Welcome to you both. I’ll go and make up two of the guestrooms, shall I?’
‘Thank you.’
When Annie had gone upstairs, Frankie turned to her mother and Jonas. ‘I thought it best not to tell her who you are just yet. I’d rather speak to Dad first, as I think it’s better coming from me, although I’m sure he’ll be fine.’
‘I hope you’re right. I do feel a bit awkward.’ Freya’s face was pale and her eyes darted about as she took in her surroundings. ‘In fact, Frankie, on second thoughts, this wasn’t a good idea at all. It would be better for Jonas and me to stay at a hotel. Would you call us a taxi and we’ll find somewhere suitable?’
‘Please don’t do that.’ Frankie’s heart squeezed. ‘I want you to stay here.’
Freya looked at Jonas and he shrugged, clearly unsure what to do for the best, and Frankie held her breath, waiting for her mother to make a decision. It was strange how things worked out. The last time she’d stood in this hallway, she’d been on her way to Rolo’s family home
to get married. Since then she’d run away from her wedding, fled to Norway, met her mother and Jonas, briefly seen the northern lights and fed a reindeer. And now, the woman who’d dominated her life – and her father’s life – for years was critically ill in hospital and Frankie’s ex-fiancé was on their honeymoon with one of her friends.
Who knew how things would work out?
What she did know, however, was that bringing Freya and Jonas here was a bit risky, because her father wasn’t expecting them. Frankie had brought friends home over the years and they often had guests staying, but in this case, one of the guests was Hugo’s ex. But she also knew her father’s generosity of spirit would have made him sad to think that he couldn’t offer accommodation to Freya and Jonas, especially in light of the fact that Frankie wanted to keep them close.
‘No. We really should go.’ Freya nodded as she came to a decision. She picked up her case and walked to the door. ‘We’ll find a hotel as close as possible.’
Jonas met Frankie’s eyes and she could see the uncertainty there.
‘Come on, Jonas.’
Just then, the front door swung open and a tall figure stepped into the hallway, causing Freya to gasp.
*
‘Freya?’ Hugo’s eyes widened and he raised his hands as if to hug her then dropped them to his sides. He looked so awkward that Frankie had a flash of regret for bringing her mother here without warning him.
‘Hugo.’ Freya was frozen to the spot, still holding her suitcase, ready to walk out the door.
‘Hi, Dad.’
Hugo tore his gaze from his Freya and met Frankie’s eyes. ‘Darling, you’re home.’
He crossed the hallway in three strides and enveloped Frankie in a hug. His familiar woody cologne washed over her and she hugged him back, glad to see him even though it had been just days since she’d left.
‘It’s good to see you, Dad.’
‘You too.’ He released her then stood back. ‘What a week, eh? Well, slightly more than a week but… oh, I don’t know, I’ve lost all concept of time. And we have guests?’
He turned and eyed Freya and Jonas, then, seeming to remember his manners, he shook Jonas’s hand before walking back to Freya.
‘Freya. It’s… so good to see you. How are you?’
Frankie watched as they evaluated each other, taking in how the years had changed them yet left them the same. Finally, Hugo opened his arms and leant forwards to hug Freya. At first, she stiffened, but as Hugo whispered something to her, she visibly relaxed and hugged him back. Frankie felt awkward now, as if she was intruding upon a private moment, and she picked up her suitcase to carry it upstairs.
‘I’m OK, thanks, Hugo. But we were just leaving. I’m sure you and Frankie have things to talk about,’ Freya said, moving back from his embrace.
‘Where will you go?’ Hugo frowned. ‘You’re very welcome to stay here.’ He smiled at Freya then at Jonas. ‘We have plenty of bedrooms.’
‘Actually, we were just going to go and find a hotel.’ Freya nodded at the door.
‘No, no. I won’t hear of it.’ Hugo shook his head. ‘Why waste money on a hotel when we have such a big house?’
‘But what about… I mean, won’t your mother…’
‘She won’t be back for some time.’ Hugo’s face dropped and Frankie’s stomach churned. It didn’t look like the news was good.
‘How is she, Dad?’
‘The doctor said she’ll make it through – hopefully! But she won’t be dancing any time soon.’
‘So she’s all right?’
‘Yes… and no. She had what they describe as a minor heart attack. I wasn’t aware that a heart attack could ever be mild, but apparently it can. She’s been left with some arrhythmia in the form of tachycardia, which means that her heart keeps beating too quickly and it’s making her dizzy and breathless. She’s also, as would be expected, exhausted. But try not to worry, Frankie, she’s in the right place, has excellent care and they’re working out the best treatment plan for her. For now, let’s get our guests settled then we can catch up properly.’
‘I’m quite happy to find a hotel.’ Freya tried again.
‘No, please stay here.’ Hugo held up his hands. ‘After everything that’s happened, it’s the least I can do.’
Freya looked at Jonas and he nodded.
‘OK then, but just for a few days.’
‘Wonderful. Right, uh…’ He glanced at the staircase where Annie was descending in her practised quiet way. ‘Annie! Show our guests to their rooms, please.’
‘Of course, Mr Ashford. Your rooms are ready, so if you’d like to follow me…’
Freya looked around her once more, as if wondering if this really was a good idea, then pushed her shoulders back and headed for the staircase. This clearly wasn’t easy for her, but then it wasn’t easy for any of them.
Jonas carried his and Freya’s suitcases up the stairs and once they were out of earshot, Frankie took her father’s arm.
‘Sorry if that was a bit of a surprise.’
‘It was a huge shock, actually, Frankie, but not a bad one. I mean, I didn’t expect to walk in and see your mother standing there but it wasn’t unpleasant at all. Gosh, she looks good; as good as she did thirty years ago.’ He gazed up the staircase as if hoping to catch another glimpse of Freya.
‘Are you sure you’re OK about it?’
He nodded. ‘Yes, I’m sure. Besides, I suspect that now you’ve managed to get your mother to come home, you’ll be keen to spend some time with her. And you can do that if she stays here.’
‘Thanks, Dad.’
‘What else could we do? Mother’s not here and won’t be for some time and to be honest… I’d quite like to have some time to speak to Freya myself. If she’d be happy to speak to me, that is.’ His eyes flickered around and he seemed agitated.
‘I’m sure she will be, Dad. I expect you both have things you want to say.’
‘I’m sure we do.’
‘But for now, can you tell me how Grandma’s doing?’
‘Of course. Shall we put the kettle on?’
Frankie followed him though the hallway and off the short corridor that led to the kitchen. It was certainly a strange feeling having both her parents under one roof, and she realized she was looking forward to spending time with them both. Something she hadn’t done since she was very young indeed.
Since she was too young to remember. Now she had the chance to make some lasting memories. She hoped they would be good ones.
Chapter 22
Jonas sank onto the edge of the enormous bed and gazed around him. He couldn’t get over his luxurious surroundings. Frankie actually lived here, but to him it resembled a fancy hotel or a house out of one of those period dramas that his mother liked to watch. Frankie’s home was huge and they even had a housekeeper, and a gardener judging by the garden he had seen from his window, and no doubt an army of cleaners. He’d gathered that Frankie came from money from things Freya had told him, but he hadn’t imagined it would be to this extent.
His room was decked out in red, gold and cream. The plush vermilion carpet was so thick that his soles sank into it every time he stood up. He’d felt terrible wearing his boots when he’d entered the room, and had removed them as soon as possible and put them on top of his suitcase for fear that they would taint the flawless expanse.
The king-size four-poster bed resembled one that he’d expect a royal to sleep in, with its rich mahogany frame and cream and gold bedspread. It even had a bolster pillow, and a wooden chest at its foot that featured carved animals and trees in some sort of Elizabethan scene. He had no doubt that it was an antique. The sash windows were framed by heavy gold and red curtains currently held back with golden-fringed ropes, and there wasn’t a fingerprint to be seen on the glass.
The furniture was just as grandiose. There were two mahogany wardrobes, a heavy-set chest of drawers and a dressing table, all so shiny that he could see his reflection in them.
The aroma of beeswax polish hung in the air, a sign that the room had likely been dusted just that morning.
There was even an en suite bathroom with a deep roll-top tub, a double shower and a bundle of Egyptian cotton towels that looked brand new.
Did Frankie actually live like this? It took his breath away. It also made him feel like a fish out of water. Jonas wasn’t used to this level of opulence and he couldn’t imagine living like this. Frankie came from this world and would no doubt be accustomed to all its trappings. If there had been any doubt in his mind about the possibility of dating someone like her, then it now disappeared altogether. Jonas lived for the outdoors, for the fresh air in his lungs and the open skies. He could never live like this; he wouldn’t want to. He was used to a different lifestyle, one where he slept on sofas, bunk beds and in tents. As he’d travelled around, he’d been happy just to have a roof over his head some nights, on the nights that were especially cold. His mother’s apartment in Oslo was modest and although comfortable, it could never be described as luxurious, yet it was perfect in his eyes. He was proud of his mother and how hard she worked and of where he came from.
Freya had walked away from all this, and while Jonas could see that it might be nice to live in such luxury, it also unsettled him. He had never cared for material possessions, rarely thought beyond tomorrow, and valued things like friendship and nature’s beauty far more than towel thread count and lavish surroundings.
It was clearer than ever that Frankie came from a very different world.
But was it a world that Freya would ever dream of returning to?
Was it a world where Freya could ever fit in?
It certainly wasn’t the type of world Jonas had associated her with; she was as free a spirit as he was. But her move away from this lifestyle had been forced. He couldn’t imagine Frankie leaving it as her mother had done.
He checked his mobile and realized he’d been sitting there musing about true wealth for twenty minutes, and it was time to shower and change then head downstairs to see what the afternoon had in store for them all.
*
‘Annie’s prepared us a light lunch in the dining room.’ Hugo gestured towards the doorway. ‘I’m sorry though, I forgot to check if anyone had any allergies.’
Love at the Northern Lights Page 14
