Page 26 of The Little Island Flower Stall
‘Did you manage to see Violette? You were waiting for the home to get back to you.’
‘Yes.’
‘Was it…Did it go well?’
Something about his tone suggested it hadn’t gone as well as he’d been hoping for. His helpless shrug convinced Bella that her hunch had been accurate.
‘She’s not very…well, she’s old and she doesn’t seem to understand what I’m trying to tell her. The staff at the home did warn me about her memory, but you’d think she’d have at least some recollection of a baby she’d given up, wouldn’t you?’
‘Perhaps she does but chooses to pretend she doesn’t. It must be a painful memory. It might be easier to pretend she’s forgotten than to face it.’
He shrugged again. ‘You’re probably right.’
‘Did you tell her about your grandfather? That he died?’
‘I thought about it. I meant to – she ought to know – after all, he’s her son. But she was struggling with everything else I told her, so there didn’t seem any point in the end.’
‘Do you think you’ll visit again another day? See if you can’t have another go at making her understand?’
He shook his head. ‘I don’t think so. God knows that visit was miserable enough.’
‘What will you do next then? Could you get a DNA test or something? Would that be proof enough for you?’
‘I’ve already done one; I’m waiting for the results. The thing is, I already know for certain Violette is my great-grandmother. It’s my great-grandfather I’m trying to find. I emailed the Polish embassy in London, but I doubt they’ll be able to help. It’s looking like a bit of a dead end at the moment. I thought I’d do some more digging here. I don’t suppose you ended up asking your great-aunt about translating that letter after all?’
‘Well…’ Bella’s thoughts went back to Celestine’s reaction. ‘I thought she knew it better than she does. She can speak it a bit, but she says she can’t translate it from the written word.’
‘Ah. Well, it was worth a try. Thanks for asking.’
Bella hated to lie but it seemed the easiest way out of the problem. Then she looked at him and the next words were out before she’d had time to stop them.
‘My aunt didn’t have much to offer, but her friend, Dolly…she mentioned a scandal when they were young. I’m sure that was something to do with a baby.’
‘Did she?’ He turned to her now, his eyes alive once again. ‘Dolly…?’
‘Not a clue what her surname is.’
‘You know where I can find her?’
‘Sorry, don’t know that either. But I bet someone around here could tell you. I mean, Dolly’s not a common name, is it?’
‘No; it’s not. That’s brilliant, thank you!’
‘It could be something and nothing,’ Bella warned.
‘It’s got to be more than I have now. Do you think she’ll talk to me?’
‘Again, I don’t know her all that well, but from what I saw with my aunt, I think you’d have trouble shutting her up once she starts.’
Rory grinned. ‘My favourite kind of gossip.’ He was thoughtful for a moment. ‘I don’t know why I feel so easy telling you all this. Sorry if I’m oversharing, but there’s something…’ He gave a self-conscious laugh. ‘I’m usually a bit more reserved than this, to be honest. But here I am, just clapping eyes on you and being like, hey, want to know everything about me?’
‘I’m sure it’s noteverything,’ Bella said with a smile. ‘I don’t mind. I like that you want to tell me. I’m interested. I mean, who wouldn’t be? If this was a drama on telly, I’d be glued, let me tell you.’
‘What are your plans for the rest of the evening?’
‘Mine?’ Bella tried to recall what would come next. Was he coming on to her? And if he was, how did she feel about that? He was handsome – the more she looked at him, the more she felt the attraction. She sensed his interest in her too – at least she thought so. It had been so long since she’d had to read those kinds of signals she couldn’t be sure. But right now? In her current state of mind it was a car crash waiting to happen.
‘I’m not trying to get heavy or anything, it was just…well, I’m here alone, and I wondered if you had to rush off anywhere. I’m enjoying our chat…I thought maybe we could get a drink…There’d be no weirdness, of course. Nothing inappropriate.’
