Page 100 of Unless It's You
Dear Richard,
I’ve now completed Aunt Evelyn’s bucket list in the true spirit of my late great-aunt. I know she’d love how I finished each item. I know it because I felt her all around me when I was on top of the Old Man of Storr in Skye just yesterday morning.
Copied to this email is my advisor, Ethan Fraser. He can confirm I’ve completed the list, as he’s been there every step of theway.
1. Volunteer
For this item, I changed my focus to helping a specific teenager, Izzy. I mentor her already, but this month I helped her through an application for a university scholarship, and she has since made the finals. She’s so excited, and I’m hoping she gets that scholarship. She deserves it. For documentation, I attached Izzy’s final submission, plus several screen shots of the texts and feedback I’ve given her. Ethan has also helped with the submission.
2. Adopt an Animal
Instead of adopting a polar bear from London Zoo, I’m fostering a shelter kitten, Nessie, but I am not promising to adopt her. I’m testing it out first. I’m sure Aunt Evelyn would appreciate that. Attached is a picture of Nessie, who is arriving at my flat tonight.
3. Adventure to the Isle of Skye in Scotland
I climbed the Old Man of Storr yesterday with Ethan. That place is magical, just like Aunt Evelyn said it would be, and I felt like she spoke to me on top of that rocky mountain on Skye. Her spirit was everywhere. I felt her peace, and her love, and her hope for my future. Attached is a picture of me on top of Old Man of Storr, taken by Ethan.
4. Help Reese
Being in the Scottish Highlands was so inspiring, and as we drove to Edinburgh from Skye, we visited a gorgeous castle. They have weddings there, and then it came to me: I will help Reese and her fiancé find the perfect Scottish wedding venue. Eilean Donan Castle is one option, but I’ll visit a few more so she can choose. For evidence, attached is a picture of the castle I’m suggesting she consider, plus a screenshot of her acceptance of my offer to help her find a venue.
5. Find the One that Got Away
I was right to break up with my ex-boyfriend, Ben. In the process of talking to him via text and in person, I confirmed we do not belong together. And I found the one who really got away—Ben’s best friend, Ethan, who has helped me fulfill Aunt Evelyn’s bucket list. He’s the one I would regret not taking a chance on, and I don’t want to make the same mistake Aunt Evelyn did just because I am scared. He’s already changed me, but I’m still me, just a better version. As evidence, here are two attachments. One is a picture of me with Ethan in front of Eilean Donan Castle. The second is a picture of me meeting with Ben last weekend. I almost ruined things right after this picture was taken... but luckily, it all worked out.
Please let me know if you need anything else.
Best,
Stella Hart
Luckily, Gemma had gotten one picture of Ben and I talking before Ethan started filming and captured that ill-fated kiss.
I’ve deleted that video from all our devices.
Ethan will be here with Nessie in a bit, but in the meantime, I have a video call date with my sisters. I click theJoinbutton and Reese and Maddie’s faces jump onto the screen.
“Hi!” they both scream at once.
I grin.
“Stella, did you submit your final list to Richard?” Reese’s dark hair hangs around her face as she leans forward.
“Sure did.”
“Thank god!” Maddie squeaks. “We were a bit worried about you.”
“You better not have been talking about your lists behind my back.”
“We didn’t!” they chorus together, and we all laugh.
“Stella, why don’t you go first?” Reese says.
I tell them about my five bucket list items, summarizing as quickly as I can, but there are so many squeals and questions, especially when I tell them all about my advisor and how things turned out with Ethan.
“Stella, thank you so much for your help planning the wedding. I can’t imagine a greater gift.” Reese has tears in her eyes, clear even through my laptop screen.
“And we need more information about Ethan!” Maddie sips from a steaming mug, eyes wide. “Immediately. I need to live vicariously through you.”
