Page 49 of Just the Beginning

Her mother waved a hand. ‘Oh, just a turn of phrase, no need to get your back up. I mean he was sweet on you back in the day, but don’t you feel it’s all a bit sudden?’

Sweet on her? Was she the only one who’d had no idea?‘We’re not rushing into anything, Mum, and we are being careful around Freya for the time being, but he’s been very kind and I really like spending time with him.’

Lisa’s gaze softened. ‘Well, you certainly deserve a bit of kindness after everything you’ve been through.’ She smiled. ‘So we’ll hold off on booking a ticket for him just now?’

Anya laughed. ‘For now.’ She stared at her mum through the screen, wishing she could reach out and give her hug. ‘Thanks for calling, Mum. I’m sorry things have been difficult between us these past months.’

‘I’m sorry too, though I do wish you’d have let us help you. You have no idea how hard it’s been having to sit by and watch you hit rock bottom. I’ve been there myself and I never wanted that for you.’

Anya pressed a finger to the corner of her eye where she could feel a tear burning. ‘I know, but I couldn’t risk seeing you back there again either, and honestly, trying to salvage anything would’ve swallowed every penny you and Bill have.’

Lisa blew her nose. ‘But you’ve lost everything. Your beautiful home that you worked so hard on.’

Anya sighed. ‘It wasn’t a home though, not really, because the whole thing was built on a false foundation. It was a fantasy, Mum, a Disney castle where I got to play princess for a while.’

Her mum sighed. ‘I was as guilty as anyone for ignoring the red flags, but I so wanted a happy ending for you. It’s been awful seeing you brought so low.’

‘It’s not so bad. I have Freya and she’s thriving. I have a job which is giving me enough to put food on the table, and I have plans for the future.’ She told her mum about her and Chloe going into business together.

‘That sounds wonderful, I’m so proud of you.’ Lisa’s smile faltered. ‘I wish I was there to help you. If Helen hadn’t stepped in, I don’t know what you would’ve done. I feel so far away.’

Anya wagged a finger at the screen. ‘None of that, now, Mum. It’ll be October before you know it.’

Lisa took a deep breath. ‘Yes, you’re right, but a mother’s guilt is something that never goes away. In fact I think it gets worse as you get older because the stakes are so much higher.’

Anya pulled a face. ‘Gee, well that’s something to look forward to.’

Her mother laughed, exactly as she’d intended. ‘My pleasure.’ Her face grew serious as she extended her fingers towards the screen as though she could reach out and touch Anya. ‘The guilt might grow, darling, but so does the love.’

Anya reached out, pressing her fingers to her own screen. ‘I love you, Mum.’

‘I love you too. Speak soon.’

On Saturday morning Anya was up early. Ryan and Helen were hosting a barbeque that evening and the plan was to finally empty the shed so Ryan and Matt could install the shelving and workbenches she and Chloe needed while they helped Helen with preparations for dinner. While Freya finished her breakfast, Anya moved her daughter’s play table and chair outside underneath the shade of a tree. When she came back inside Freya had put her bowl and spoon on the counter next to the sink.

‘That’s a good girl, thank you. Now, do you want to come and choose which crafts you want to do?’

‘Can I do some painting?’

‘You can do whatever you like. Where’s your smock?’

By the time the others walked out the back door, Freya was set up at her table. Picking up a deck chair, Helen set it next to Freya’s table. ‘I’ll keep an eye on her.’

‘Are you sure?’

‘Of course. If we all try and empty the shed we’ll just get in each other’s way.’ She turned to Freya. ‘What are you going to paint for me?’

‘A butterfly!’

‘Oh, my favourite. Now then, what colours are you going to use?’

Grateful once again for her aunt’s never-ending well of enthusiasm, Anya left them to it. Ryan handed her a pair of work gloves. ‘There’s probably all sorts of loose nails and splinters so better safe than sorry.’

‘Thank you.’

For the next half an hour Anya, Chloe, Matt and Ryan systematically emptied the shed and ferried the contents upstairs to the box room in the main house. Once the shed wasemptied, Matt and Ryan headed back to the shed while Anya and Chloe surveyed the piles of boxes and bags. ‘I didn’t realise I had accumulated so much stuff,’ Anya said with a sigh.

Chloe put her arm around her shoulder and gave her an encouraging squeeze. ‘I’m glad, because it means we’ve got plenty of stock. Come on, it won’t take us long to get it sorted.’

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