Page 57 of My Mistake To Make

‘What?’ The fog of confusion and the tension headache I’m harboring cloud my understanding as I try to remember what plans we had today.

‘My idiot brother said you needed a friend today, so here I am. Can I come in?’

I feel my shoulders slump as I step back and let her in.

‘Before you say anything. I have no idea why he thinks you need this, so don’t go spilling anything you don’t want spilled. All I know is he showed up at my house this morning saying he was getting out of town for a couple of days, and could I come to check in on you this morning? I assume that means he pulled some major douche move and upset you because he’s a guy, and guys are idiots. You can tell me as much or as little as you want, but just eat something, okay?’

She holds open the bag for me, and I realize for the first time that she’s in uniform.

‘What are your plans today?’

I shrug as I take a croissant from the bag and tentatively take a bite.

‘You could come to work with me. I’ll just be in my office most of the day, ignoring the pile of paperwork on my desk.’

I smile weakly. ‘I don’t need a babysitter, Bree, but thank you.’

‘Do you want to tell me what he did?’

I shake my head. ‘Nothing, really. I guess he just really meant it when he said he doesn’t like me.’

‘Well, I don’t think that’s true at all. Doug only takes himself off camping when he needs quiet time to think. Whatever happened got under his skin, that’s for sure.’

I fight the lump in my throat. I’m not going to cry.

‘Maybe getting away isn’t a bad idea,’ I say as Bree lifts her gaze to mine. ‘A friend has been asking me to go stay with her up in Charleston.’

‘Well, that sounds perfect then. Go up there and reset.’ She squeezes my knee. ‘I have to get to work.’ She stands and then leans in to kiss the top of my head. ‘Call if you need me, okay?’ Inod, and she leaves as I pick up my phone and scroll through the contacts.

The call connects, and I can’t help but smile.

‘Hi, Doris.’

The drive to Doris’shouse took closer to four hours than the three I was expecting. She lives in a cute little assisted living facility for elderly people, and when she first told me that, I couldn’t believe it. This vibrant woman who travels the world alone doesn’t need assisted living, but she explained to me it’s about future planning. Here she can grow old exactly where she is without having to move later down the line. It’s sweet, all these little bungalows in neat rows with neat gardens. I inhale the clean air that’s blowing in through my windows when I spot my new friend waving at me. Her bright red tracksuit is a beacon.

I park up and climb out, only to be wrapped up in the biggest hug.

‘Oh, sweet Cara, it is good to see you.’ She holds my biceps, pushing me out at arm’s length to get a good look at me. ‘Come on, let’s get you inside and get you fed.’

Inside, the bungalow is just as adorable as it is out. It’s modern and clean and smells absolutely delicious. As we reach the kitchen, I see why.

‘Doris,’ I laugh, ‘there’s only two of us. Who did you think you were feeding?’

There’s a full spread laid out on the table, and she scoffs. ‘I’m a grandma. It’s my prerogative to be a feeder, and since you don’t have any real family here, I’m taking you in as one of mine.’

My heart swells. This woman, who I just happened to be sitting next to on a plane, who just happened to live just a few hours away, is proudly and happily part of my growing little circle here.

‘Well, I’m taking you as mine, too,’ I reply, smiling as she winks and ushers me into one of the chairs.

We ate as she told me all the gossip from the retirement village and made me laugh until I cried with her animated recounting of all the comings and goings. She told me how she’s planning a trip to Canada and all the things she’s excited to see and do there, and then we retired out to her porch, where she hands me a beer and a blanket and sits in the chair next to mine.

‘So, how’s Forest Falls?’

I inhale deeply as I contemplate my response.

‘It’s wonderful, really. I love it.’

‘And the house?’

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