Page 57 of Coming Home
Leonora nodded. ‘That’s what she was like. Resilient, I suppose.’
Geordie agreed. ‘It must have been hard for Sylvia, leaving her home, friends and family behind but she was ashamed I suppose, of me and her marriage failing and people are such terrible gossips and she will have wanted to spare Carmen any more hurt. So, just like she forgave me, I forgive her, too, because at the end of the day it was my actions that caused it all and I have to take responsibility for that.’ Geordie meant every word and as soon as he saw Carmen he would explain it all and try to make it right, if he could.
‘Granddad, you mustn’t worry about that now.’ Leonora paused and her face lit up, as if something had occurred to her. ‘Granddad… how ace does that sound? I’ve never said it before – and even better, you’re both my granddads and after all this time I have two! That’s so cool.’ At this Sam and Geordie laughed, the mirth was a tonic to the seriousness of the conversation as she continued.
‘What’s more important is that you both found it in your hearts to forgive each other and because Gran loved Mum so much, she’d be glad I found you. I have a feeling that deep down she knew Mum needed to track you down but she’d dug her heels in for so long that she couldn’t or wouldn’t back down. That’s why she gave Mum her blessing before she died: it set her free.’
Sam spoke next and addressed Leonora. ‘So, now do you see what I meant the other day when I told you I’d made mistakes and wished I’d been honest from the start. I should never have married Martha. It was wrong and I wish I’d been given the chance to explain because it would have saved so many people a great deal of heartache. It’s so hard, getting to our age and looking back on our errors then not being able to rectify them. I didn’t want you to be in the same boat.’
‘I do see. It all makes sense now, and your advice was the best and for many reasons I’m glad I took it. I still think it’s sad. That people who loved each other were so fearful and I wish it could have been different for you both. I totally understand why you did what you did, I want you to know that.’
A look of understanding passed between all of them and even though he’d just met her, Geordie was so very proud of his granddaughter who clapped her hands together and asked another question. ‘And now, we have another biggie on our hands. How do I tell Mum that I’ve found you? Should I ring her and explain?’
Before Geordie could answer, Sam interrupted and as always, had wise words. ‘I think we should take a few minutes to consider our options and also your mother’s feelings. You said she’s hosting a party tonight, am I right?’
‘Yes, for all the garden centre staff and half the village, knowing Mum. She’s been planning it for yonks.’
Geordie realised where Sam was going with his question. ‘Well, in that case I don’t think we should spoil that, do you? I cannot wait to see her, or even speak on the phone but it will be a shock when you tell her and I think she needs to focus on her guests, don’t you?’
Leonora’s shoulders sagged. ‘I suppose so, but I can’t keep it to myself all night, it will kill me, I swear. As soon as I realised it was you I wanted to ring her but we were so wrapped up in your story I had to know what happened, and so will she. What do you think I should do then?’
Sam had the answer. ‘Why don’t you tell her after the party. Let her enjoy the evening and then once everyone is gone you can explain. That way it will give her time to absorb it all, because I’m sure George and I will be doing just the same.’
‘Sam’s right. Once you’ve told her perhaps she might want to ring me and we can talk on the phone first. Whatever she wants. Naturally, I can’t wait to see her but it’s Christmas Eve tomorrow and you will have plans, so let’s see how it goes. How does that sound?’ In truth Geordie wanted to get in the car right there and go and see his girl, but common sense held him back.
Leonora placed her hands to her cheeks. ‘Oooh, okay then. It will be the longest party in history though, waiting for it to be over so I can tell her. Right, we need to swap phone numbers and then I can send you some photos to your phone straight away. Do you have any of you? Mum only has two, and some of your books so I’m sure she’d love to see some more of you and Sam and your life, so she can fill in the gaps.’
The rush of sheer euphoria on hearing that Carmen had kept his photos and books made his heart so full he could barely speak, abetted by the golf ball of emotion that was lodged in his throat. ‘Of course. I have all the photos from our old house, everything your mum left behind, toys and books and her own grandma’s dinner service. I couldn’t bear to leave them so I brought them here. I’ll get everything down from the loft and I also have something I can give her when I see her, to prove I thought about her all the time, especially at Christmas.’
Sam smiled as he spoke. ‘Ah, your box of letters. I’m sure she will love them, George.’ Looking over to Leonora he explained. ‘Every year, since we left London, your granddad wrote your mum a letter and posted it to wherever he lived. He has them all upstairs in a boot box.’
‘Oh Granddad, that’s lovely… she’s going to be so happy. And so are my sisters. I’m going to tell them before Mum, though, because if I don’t I will pop with excitement. Wait till they find out we have a granddad at last, no actually, two granddads and one of them looks like Morgan Freeman. I mean, what more could we ask for?’
The laughter in the room broke the ice as Sam thanked Leonora for the best compliment ever and George wiped his eyes.
‘Right, let’s swap numbers and then I’ll ping you over the photos. I’d best get off otherwise she’ll be ringing me to find out where I am.’ Leonora took out her phone and waited for them to recite their details.
Once they were done George helped her on with her coat and then he and Sam walked her to the door. He didn’t want to let her go but knew he had to. ‘There’s so much I want to ask you, about you and your sisters but we have time for that, I’m sure.’
‘We do. And it’s going to be so much fun getting to know you both, honestly this is the best Christmas present ever.’
Fearful of becoming a gibbering wreck George chivvied her along. ‘It certainly is. Now off you go, pet, and drive carefully. Will you let us know when you’ve told her? A text will do.’
Leonora gave them both a peck on the cheek before she headed towards her car, waving as she went. ‘I will, and I’ll see you soon, Granddads.’
They stood side by side as they waved Leonora off, both remaining on the step until she was out of sight. As Geordie closed the door on the cold, December air he followed Sam down the hall.
Sam gave Geordie’s arm a squeeze. ‘You go and sit awhile, gather your thoughts while I make us some food. My, my, what a day, what a day. And it’s going to be a long night, waiting for a call so we need sustenance to see us through.’
Listening to Sam’s mutterings, Geordie did as he was told and went into the lounge and stood before the oil painting on the chimney breast, taking a moment to himself. The seascape took him back to his days aboard ship, when the vast expanse of ocean that surrounded him could sometimes seem desolate, mirroring how he felt inside. Other times it would be his only friend, an escape route to far-off lands and respite from living a lie.
He remembered the nights on watch, when he stood alone on deck and wished on every shooting star he saw in the ink-black sky that one day he would see his little girl again. And at last, each wish, each word he’d spoken into the dead of night, all the hopes and dreams that were carried on the wind across the sea, were about to come true.
30
Carmen
Appleton Farm, Cheshire
