Page 103 of Atticus Arnott's Great Adventure
‘Whatever for?’ Atticus asked.
‘For everything.’ Mungo shrugged his shoulders. ‘For not listening to you and being an overbearing father.’ He glanced towards Jake. ‘But most of all, for not appreciating my family. I’ve taken you all for granted and I’m truly sorry.’
‘Well, that’s…’ Atticus was at a loss for words.
Britta held Declan, still carrying his teddy, and looked anxiously from Atticus to Mungo.
Mungo continued, ‘You don’t have to say anything, Dad. Just know that I think your great adventure to Spain is admirable. It took some guts, and I couldn’t be happier that you’ve met someone and fallen in love.’
A little voice piped up and heads turned to stare at Declan.
‘Uncle Mungo,’ Declan said, ‘do you know my new granny?’
Suddenly, the ice was broken, and everyone began to laugh. Atticus gave Mungo a bear hug and stood back to smile at his son.
Britta stepped forward and held out her free hand. ‘Hello,’ she said, ‘I’m Britta.’
‘Hello, Declan’s new granny.’ Mungo smiled. ‘Ali insisted I take my family on holiday,’ Mungo explained as questions rained upon him. ‘She found us a Boxing Day flight to Alicante and told me she was perfectly capable of running the business for a week.’
‘There was hardly anyone on the plane,’ Eliza said excitedly, ‘and I had a glass of champagne.’
Erik joined the party. He’d taken Ness for a walk on the beach and the old dog, recognising Mungo, wriggled her way into the crowd.
‘Were my Speedos a bit snug?’ Erik asked, his expression bemused as he stared at Arthur, now attired in Cheryl’s voluminous green kaftan.
‘Aye, you could say so,’ Arthur replied.
Mary stood back and stared at the ever-increasing party. Unexpectedly, she felt exhausted. With weeks of little sleep and living on an emotional knife-edge she suddenly felt that she might collapse if she didn’t take a moment for herself.
‘Can you keep an eye on the kids?’ Mary whispered to Atticus.
Atticus saw the look on Mary’s face and nodded. ‘Yes, love, of course. Why don’t you go to the beach and stretch your legs? The kids are just fine.’
Mary gave a half-smile and turning away, she set off.
Matching the rhythm of the waves brushing against the shore, Mary’s steps were slow as she began her solitary walk. The salty breeze tousled her hair, and she reached out to tuck it behind one ear. As she reached for her sunglasses, she stared at the wide expanse of the beach. The weight of recent events lingered heavily, and the decline of her marriage left Mary putting on a brave face for the kids, knowing there would be difficult days ahead as they came to terms with their parents’ split. Overhead, seagulls cried, their calls echoing the unanswered questions in her mind.
Her longing for love emphasised her loneliness, but she thought of the texts she’d received from Ruari and smiled. Given half a chance, she’d jump into his bed and give in to his subtle invitations, but, Mary pondered, no man in his right mind would seriously look at amiddle-aged woman with four demanding children. Lost in the complexity of her thoughts, Mary wandered along, her bare feet paddling in the water.
‘How am I going to navigate through all of this?’ she called out and stared up at the sky.
‘I’ll help you,’ a voice replied, and Mary turned to see Atticus coming toward her.
‘Dad!’ Mary laughed and held out her arms.
Looking up, Mary and Atticus saw that a cluster of solitary stars had emerged. Like tiny gems, they twinkled and stood out in the still bright sky.
As father and daughter embraced on the shore, Mary spoke softly.
‘Mum would be so proud of you.’
Epilogue
SIX MONTHS LATER…
Atticus and Britta were married in a simple ceremony on a bright and sunny day in the Parish of St. Lawrence. A carpet of wildflowers lined the path to the centuries-old church, and knee-high gnomes formed a guard of honour decked out in wedding attire. In a tuxedo, top hat, and tiny bowtie, Mistletoe Mike wore a monocle, while Tinsel Tina, transformed in a lacy dress, carried a minuscule bouquet.
‘We did a cracking job,’ Arthur told Jake. He’d arrived with Shirley on his arm, and they paused to admire her garden guardians. ‘The little creatures have scrubbed up a treat.’
