Page 69 of The Little Island Flower Stall
‘Not exactly, but I think she felt sorry for me. If they saw me on the street, Violette wouldn’t even look at me, but Anais would give me this sad little smile. I could never decide which was worse.’
‘Oh, Celestine…’ Bella’s own eyes filled with tears. Perhaps she didn’t want the truth after all. To think of her great-aunt going through this for all of her adult life was heartbreaking. ‘It must have been awful.’
‘It was. In a funny way I’m glad to finally have told you. I feel lighter already.’
‘I’m glad you did.’
‘Me too. You won’t judge me too harshly now that you know?’
‘Of course not!’ Bella took a breath. Was it time to tell Celestine the truth? ‘While we’re being honest…Rory is Violette’s great-grandson.’
Celestine stared at her. ‘YourRory? The man you’ve been out with tonight?’
Bella watched carefully for her aunt’s reaction and was taken aback to see that it wasn’t quite as shocked as she might have imagined. ‘You knew?’
‘I didn’t know, but it makes sense.’
‘I’m sorry I didn’t say anything before. I knew you didn’t want to talk about Violette, and I thought you’d be angry.’
‘Angry? You can’t help who you’re sweet on, can you?’ she said, echoing what Bella herself had said about Violette falling for Klaus.
‘Yes, but I thought…well, it might make things awkward. You wouldn’t be so well disposed towards him.’
There was a small smile on Celestine’s face now. ‘Is it important to you that I’m well disposed towards him?’
‘Maybe a bit. I mean, I did kiss him, so…I suppose that means we might see each other again.’
‘I should hope so.’ Celestine took a deep breath, pushed herself off the chair and reached for her crutches. She did seem visibly lighter. Bella could only imagine what a release finally telling someone the truth after so many years must have been.‘I think I’ll go to bed. I’m tired, and I think I’ll be able to sleep now.’
Bella nodded. ‘Thank you for telling me about Violette.’
‘Thank you for listening. Do you think your old aunt must have been a very silly young girl once?’
‘I think you were a young girl. That makes you silly by definition, right? Haven’t we all been like that when we were young? I don’t think I ever grew out of it, quite honestly. I’m still doing silly things now.’
‘We learn from each one, I’m sure. I hope you don’t mind, but I really can’t stay awake a moment longer. I’m worn out.’
‘Of course. Celestine…’
‘Yes?’
‘Would you like to visit Violette? I know you said she wouldn’t recall any of it, but even if it does nothing to soothe her, it might help you to talk to her?’
‘What would I say?’
‘You could tell her all you’ve told me tonight. Tell her it was a mistake and how sorry you are.’
‘She knew all that in the beginning.’
‘I know, but a lot of years have gone by since then. I only say this because I wonder if it would be easier with company? I mean, I’d happily come with you.’
Celestine was silent as she stared into space. ‘Perhaps,’ she said finally. ‘Let me sleep on it. I suppose neither I nor Violette are much longer for this world, and perhaps we oughtn’t to leave it without trying once more to smooth things over.’
‘That wasn’t really what I was getting at. I only meant you might feel better for having gone to her.’
‘Nevertheless it’s true. I think you might be right. Maybe we could call the home tomorrow and see if we’d be allowed to go.’
‘OK,’ Bella said. ‘Don’t get up in the morning – let me go down and open up the stall. Get some extra sleep; it’ll do you good.’
