The Long Way Home

by Fanny Blake

  Isla passed the note to Lorna without a word. However well meant, May was still stirring the pot, but this proved that she had loved her, despite everything, and that made up for everything else. Now everything was clear.

  As Lorna read, her face tightened, a little tic began beside her left eye. ‘Well! That’s as unfair as not leaving you anything.’ She passed the letter back to Aggie who had stopped her fiddling. ‘I’m beginning to think our dear mother didn’t love any of us. She’s still playing us.’

  ‘Don’t say that.’ Aggie stopped fiddling with her rings. ‘She’s trying, in her own way, to do the right thing.’

  ‘You can say that because you’ve got the house.’

  ‘Lorna!’ Isla wanted to shake her.

  ‘It’s true. And you and Morag won’t help me. I know you won’t.’ She looked as if she might cry with frustration. Of course she was devastated because it dealt a death blow to her plans to free herself from her marriage.

  ‘I’m sorry but I’m not going to ask Aggie to do anything other than May asks her. I think that’s fair.’

  A sigh of relief and a breathy ‘Thanks’ came from her aunt as she clasped her hand in gratitude.

  ‘Of course, you’re not.’

  ‘Don’t do this, Lorna. Please. But it does change everything. Don’t you see? Aggie and I can lend you the money you need.’ She remembered that Tony had made off with most of hers.

  ‘Don’t!’ Lorna shook her head in weary resignation.

  ‘What money?’ Aggie’s ears were too sharp.

  Isla was not going to be put off. ‘You’ve got to explain. In due course, I’ll ask a lawyer if I can share my half with you and Morag so we end up with equal shares of Braemore. I’m sick of all this wrangling. I’m sure May was trying to do what she thought was best in her odd mismanaged way – if Aggie says so, that’s good enough for me – but I’m equally certain that Dad would have wanted to split the ownership between the three of us. So I’m going to be grateful to her but respect him.’

  ‘Big of you.’ Lorna rubbed her hands together.

  ‘There’s no need for that! Sarcasm doesn’t suit you.’ Aunt Aggie suddenly came to life, startling them both. ‘All Isla’s doing is trying to make right what my silly, impulsive sister did. It’s regrettable, I agree. She had the best of motives, but just didn’t think it through to its conclusion. Too caught up in the wrongs of the past and trying to right them. It’s generous of Isla to try to straighten things out fairly, although I’ve no intention of clearing the path for you all for some time. None of this is her fault, so give her a chance. What we don’t need is you making things more difficult than need be.’ She stopped abruptly as if surprised at herself.

  Lorna stared at her, fingers tapping her glass.

  Isla held her breath and waited for the explosion.

  But none came. Instead she bowed her head. ‘I reacted too quickly.’ She put her hand to her head, ruffling her hair as if that would sort out her thoughts. ‘I don’t want to fall out again either. Aggie’s right, it is generous of you. Thank you. But what will I do now?’

  ‘You’ll tell Aggie what you need the money for, however hard that may be, and hope she might help you.’

  Lorna closed her eyes, swayed back and forth, then began to talk. When she’d finished, Aggie was leaning towards her.

  ‘Of course I can help you out. You three are like daughters to me, and I always want to help you if I can.’ She chuckled. ‘I have to confess I was wondering if you’d stay the course with him. You’ll be so much happier without.’

  Isla watched as they hugged. The weight that had sat on her shoulders for so long, the fear that she wasn’t loved, was lifting. That letter had finally given her the truth.

  38

  The weather held. The garden at Braemore was ready for a party. Vivid coloured bunting was strung between the trees. Tables had been set out round the edge of the garden so they benefitted from the shade of the trees. Each was laid with plates, cups and saucers, and bright paper napkins with a mini milk-bottle of garden flowers at its centre. Aggie’s friends had done her proud.

  Ian had set up the bar on one side of the French windows where bottles of fizz sat on ice and champagne flutes shone. Jugs full of home-made lemonade and ice were protected by beaded lace covers. On the other side, a string quartet, young friends of Aunt Aggie from the Music School, were tuning their instruments.

  Charlie and Isla had been there all morning, helping wherever they could. Isla took such pleasure in seeing Charlie joining in, so unlike the girl she’d teamed up with two weeks earlier who would have sat in a corner glaring at her phone. How she wished Helen could see her now. She looked around for her, to find her taking selfies, pouting in front of the party background. At least she had ditched her shorts for a pretty strappy dress. When she caught Isla watching her, she came over. ‘I’m just waiting for Ian.’ No ageing ‘grandad’ used for him. ‘We’re popping out to get a couple of things for Aggie.’ She couldn’t stop grinning as if she had just been told the best joke.

  It was lost on Isla. ‘Shouldn’t you have done that a bit earlier?’

  ‘Oh, Gran.’ She pouted again, lips glistening, skin smooth with beautifully blended foundation, eyes large with mascara’d rims and a cat-like flick at the corners. ‘I had to do my make-up and he wasn’t ready.’

  ‘But the guests are beginning to arrive.’ Nothing made Isla more nervous than the beginning of a party and the awful premonition that half the guests wouldn’t turn up.

  The quartet had struck up as a sprightly-looking elderly couple came round the corner of the house carrying a beribboned potted plant that they gave to Aggie, who was looking particularly splendid in a bright patterned kaftan with kimono-like sleeves, wide bangles rattling, huge beads gleaming. She took it with a cry of delight.

  ‘Are you coming?’ Ian materialised beside them. ‘We’ll be late.’

  ‘You can’t go now. The party’s just beginning.’ Isla wanted them there with her.

  ‘We won’t be long. Aggie wanted us to pick something up for her.’ The conspiratorial wink Ian gave Charlie made Isla immediately suspicious.

  ‘What? Can’t I come with you?’ Never mind the party after all.

  ‘No! You’re needed here. There’s something that has to be picked up last minute.’ Ian looked muddled by his own explanation. ‘You’ll see when we get back.’

  ‘Just some ice cream, Gran.’ Charlie pulled a face at Ian’s back to show how hopeless she thought he was being.

  The two of them went off, leaving no time for further questions. Moments later, Isla heard the car leaving but her curiosity was soon forgotten as Aggie’s guests began arriving in quick succession. Soon the lawn was filled with Aggie’s friends, some from her theatre days, some from the bridge and poker clubs, neighbours in the street and their grown children. What a turn-out! Everyone had made an effort to dress up. Drinks were handed round and soon the lawn was alive with people. Isla helped Aggie’s friends transfer the food – a whole poached salmon, various quiches, cheeses and numerous salads and crusty baguettes – from the kitchen onto the long trestle tables near the house so everyone could help themselves and take their plate to whichever table they wanted to sit at. Isla went round encouraging people to get their meal, or helping one or two of those who were chair-bound, before the sun dried everything up.

  Ian and Charlie had been gone for ages. They must have had to drive miles to pick up the ice cream that they didn’t really need.

  Once most people were settling down, a commotion at the French windows signalled Lorna and Andrew’s arrival as he tripped over the step and righted himself by clutching on to one of the chairs on the terrace. Fortunately a woman of considerable girth was sitting in it, so it held fast while Andrew steadied himself. Lorna poured him a lemonade and handed it over. As Isla went across to greet them she caught him taking a hip flask from his pocket and slipping a good slug of something into his drink. The sooner Lorna was free
of him, the better. Now Lorna was assured of the funds she needed, she could make her plans and would tell Andrew when they were in place.

  ‘I can hold it,’ he said as Isla came over. ‘She just doesn’t think I can.’

  ‘Whatever,’ she said, shepherding him towards Jeannie, the cleaner who had been at Braemore for so long she was almost a member of their family. She would know what to do with him. She caught up with Lorna at the mound they once used for a theatre.

  ‘Remember when you were Puck and got stuck in that tree?’ She pointed at the laburnum with branches that drooped over the edge of their stage.

  ‘When I was meant to fly out of it but my tights got caught? Dad had to come and rescue me. God, I was cross.’ They laughed, Isla glad that their new relationship was holding firm. ‘Where’s Ian? There’s something I want to ask him.’

  ‘He’s gone off to get something for Aggie.’ They both swung round as a school bell rang.

  Standing in the French windows was Ian. ‘Hear ye, hear ye. I present you with not one but two special unexpected guests.’

  Aggie’s hands were clasped. ‘She’s come?’

  ‘Morag Adair, Aggie’s niece all the way from Derbyshire!’

  Isla turned to Lorna whose face was twisted in an expression of anticipation, pleasure and fear. She clasped her hands in front of her. ‘She came.’

  ‘You knew?’

  ‘I invited her!’

  Morag’s eyes were roaming the garden until they fixed on Isla and Lorna. She had changed out of her usual farm clothes and was in a neat pair of trousers and a loose shirt. She waved and came over.

  ‘I wasn’t going to come but Lou persuaded me that I was being a stubborn bitch. If you could pick up the phone to me, then the least I could do was come.’

  Another ring of the bell stopped her in her tracks.

  Why did Ian have to be such a showman? Isla looked at the one cloud in the sky. But she also knew Aggie would appreciate the drama.

  ‘And now we have Helen Belton who’s flown in from the States.’

  Standing beside him was Helen, looking radiant, in jeans and a white shirt, her hair cropped into a pixie cut that made her look younger, her arm round Charlie’s shoulder. All three of them were beaming as if their faces would split, so pleased with themselves for creating a surprise that had Isla pinned to the spot. Aggie’s face was a picture of delight as she opened her arms in noisy welcome as everyone started clapping.

  The three sisters walked towards the house while most of the guests went back to their conversations.

  As she crossed the lawn, propelled by Lorna, Isla felt dazed. So much had piled onto her in the last few days that had both crushed and lifted her. She couldn’t tell whether she was coming or going as so much of what she thought she knew had unravelled round her. But within that confusion there were certain constants that she had been in danger of forgetting.

  Charlie and Helen were running towards her, Ian just behind them. Before she knew where she was, they had swept her into an enormous family hug, something they hadn’t all done together for years. Isla let herself sink into the enveloping warmth of her family. This was what love was. This was what would sustain her through the rest of her life whatever happened to her. They would always be there supporting her. She was lucky. Despite the downturns, and she had experienced quite a few, the upsides like this were what one waited for. Eventually she extricated herself. Helen was standing in front of her, glowing with health and success.

  ‘But you’re meant to be in America,’ Isla blurted.

  ‘Aggie and Charlie both called me and told me everything that’s gone on. I’d finished my last meeting so changed my flight and flew in to Edinburgh this morning. I’ve been hiding out in a hotel. Poor old you. It must have been such a shock. And as for Tony… what can I say?’

  ‘Thanks to Di’s quick thinking, the police say there’s every chance they’ll trace him. Though it’ll probably be too late to get back the money I gave him.’

  Helen gave a shake of her head to show she couldn’t believe how gullible her mother had been.

  ‘I know. Don’t say it.’ Isla didn’t need anyone else to tell her what she had repeatedly berated herself for.

  ‘Are you surprised, Gran?’ Charlie was hopping up and down with delight at her part in the deceit.

  ‘Blown away.’ That was exactly the feeling: light, unencumbered, but thrilled. ‘I never suspected a thing. You’ve been brilliant.’

  ‘I’m so proud of you.’ Helen put her arm round Charlie and kissed the side of her face. ‘I even like the hair. Purple suits you.’

  Charlie positively glowed.

  ‘That was the whole plan.’ Ian looked monumentally pleased with himself. ‘We decided you needed a bit of family love-bombing in the circs. So here we all are.’

  ‘And Morag, too.’ Isla looked around her. Her sister was standing apart from the chattering guests, waiting until Isla was ready for her. When she saw Isla look up, she came over, smiling broadly.

  ‘Sounds like you’ve been having a bit of a rough time.’ They kissed cheeks.

  ‘You might say. Rotten choice in men, again.’

  ‘Oi! Watch it!’ Ian hadn’t been standing far enough away. But that ageing film-star smile showed he took the joke in good heart.

  ‘And thanks for smoothing things out over Braemore. That’s generous but will keep the peace.’

  ‘We’ll make a three-way decision about what to do with it when we need to. And looking at Aggie, that won’t be for some time.’ They turned to see her laughing at something someone in the groups of friends surrounding her had said. ‘I absolutely promise,’ said Isla. This was one promise she intended to keep. ‘At least we’re speaking to each other again.’

  ‘We are. But don’t expect us all to be bosom buddies all at once.’ Morag was as bad as Lorna. ‘Let’s just celebrate our new half-sisterhood.’ She went off to get three glasses of fizz.

  ‘She’s so pig-headed.’ Lorna sniffed.

  ‘Pot. Kettle,’ said Isla. The fact that her sisters had colluded to be here for her meant everything. She wasn’t expecting miracles but perhaps time would better mend the rift.

  The rest of the afternoon went past in a whirl. She talked to many of Aggie’s friends but most important of all, she had time with Helen.

  ‘So, America. How did it go in the end?’

  ‘Brilliant. I met everyone I needed to, spent time with my US agent. And I’m ready to go. I can work from here with the occasional quick visit. Until they start filming. I thought I’d take Charlie with me next time.’ Her eyes shone with excitement. ‘What have you done to her, Mum? She’s undergone some weird transformation.’

  ‘Nothing special – just introduced her to a conman and let her share the discovery that my mother wasn’t my mother at all.’ Anything else was too much detail for now. ‘She’s been great. You should try to spend more time with her.’ As she said it, she could have bitten her tongue. The last thing Helen would want was her advice.

  ‘Mum, don’t. I’ve just said I’ll take her to the States with me – if she gets her act together.’

  ‘Don’t expect too much too soon.’ From where they sat, they could see Charlie sprawled on the grassy mound, engrossed in something on that small screen, her thumbs moving fast over it, quite oblivious to what was going on around her.

  ‘We’re going to Greece for two weeks next month – all three of us. Mike’s back on Tuesday – at last. Being away gave me a bit of perspective and I’m determined we do this together. Mike’s promised not to take on another job till after the holiday and I got a great last-minute booking.’ Her excitement was contagious. ‘In fact why don’t you come too? A villa on Spetses.’

  ‘I’ve just been away.’ Although her holiday had been far from how she had originally planned it, she had no desire for another so soon. ‘I want to go home, straighten out the mess in Walton Street and make it mine again.’ She wanted to remove all traces of Tony from
her home and restore it to the haven it was before he entered her life. ‘Then I’m going to concentrate on Fernleith.’ Just the thought of the Grade 2 listed building that had been given over to the collections of toys was enough to steady her. At least Tony had been unable to take that from her. She needed time to take on board everything that she had learned in these two short weeks and to regroup and find herself again.

  ‘You’re sure? We’d love to have you.’

  ‘Certain. You should have time together and I should get my life back on track. I feel like such a fool.’

  ‘But, Mum, you liked him. That’s allowed. You weren’t to know.’

  ‘That doesn’t stop me feeling stupid. Sad too, though.’ For all that he’d taken from her, Tony had shown her she could perhaps love again. She would miss that sense of a relationship with another person that gave such warmth and confidence, even if it had been misplaced this time.

  ‘Maybe you’ll meet someone else.’ In the background, someone had put Dean Martin’s ‘Everybody Loves Someone Some Time’, one of Aggie’s favourites, on the old record player and a couple of her friends were dancing on the terrace.

  ‘Ever the optimist. I don’t think I’ll go looking for a while.’

  ‘Are you dancing?’ Ian had approached them from behind.

  ‘No, it’s just the way I’m standing.’ The old family joke cracked them all up.

  He held out his hand. ‘Come on.’

  She looked around to see if there was an excuse, but Helen was walking towards Aggie who was pulling out a chair for her at her table. Lorna and Morag were sitting talking together over the prone body of Andrew who was asleep on the lawn. The plates and leftovers had been taken inside and only the hard core of guests remained. By the time they reached the terrace, three couples were swaying side to side in time to the music.