Page 4 of Sanctuary at MacLeod's Cove
Jen grunted. It didn’t look like she’d be able to get anything past Lucy.
‘It’s just that he finds it hard to settle. And he’s in a strange place.’
‘Then go satisfy yourself that he’s in good hands and then come back and finish your drink.’
‘It’s nearly midnight. Are you sure you don’t want to call it a night?’
‘Nope. It’s nice to be up this late. I’m usually in bed by nine so I can get up for the café at five. But I’ve got someone to cover for me tomorrow. Besides, you look wired.’
Jen couldn’t disagree. She felt as if she’d lie awake for hours if she went to bed. And she didn’t fancy staring at the ceiling, going over and over the enormity of what she’d just done.
‘I’ll go check on Liam.’
‘Sure thing. Whatever you want.’ Lucy gave Jen a hug. ‘I just want you to know that I’m already loving having my big sister back. I’m so glad you’re here — you and Liam. It’ll work out, you’ll see.’
A lump in Jen’s throat prevented her from replying.
While Lucy returned to the kitchen, Jen went upstairs. Her toes nudged the brass runners which held the carpet in place. The metallic clack was the sound of her childhood, bringing new layers of memory settling over the old.
She hesitated on the landing, about to open one of the main bedrooms on the first floor, before hearing her mother’s voice coming from the top of the house. Of course. She’d put Liam in one of the attic rooms Jen used to share with her other sister, Ellie.
Jen climbed the stairs and paused on the narrow landing. Her old nightlight filled the room with an orange glow. She smiled to herself as she listened to her mother talk, her voice as comforting as the feather duvet she pulled over Liam. He rolled onto his side with his back to Jen, and gazed up at Kate, who was still talking.
She was telling Liam a fairytale she’d invented and embellished over the years. It seemed to be having the same magical effect on her grandson as it had had on Jen’s sisters. But never her. She’d never believed in fairy tales. And she’d been right. They didn’t exist.
She leaned against the door jamb, catching Kate’s gaze from time to time, and waited for her to finish the story. It didn’t take long. This seemed to be the abbreviated version, especially for tired boys who’d just travelled across the world.
After a few minutes Kate rose, kissed Liam’s cheek, and said goodnight. Liam turned around, saw Jen and relaxed back against the pillow. ‘Mum,’ was all he said.
‘Thank you,’ Jen said to Kate as she walked past.
Kate smiled and touched her on the shoulder before descending the steep steps from the attic rooms to the landing below.
Jen sat down next to Liam who was now snuggled up against a near thread-bare rabbit. She stroked his face, and his eyelids flickered. ‘Did you enjoy Grandma’s story?’
Liam nodded.
‘Your grandmother is very good at telling stories.’
‘So are you,’ said Liam loyally.
She kissed him. ‘Not as good as Grandma. You’ll see.’
He looked as if he needed convincing, and Jen saw traces of anxiety in his eyes.
‘Will you sing me a song?’ he asked.
‘Of course.’ She cleared her throat, still dry after over thirty hours of flying, and summoned up her last remaining shred of energy.
She didn’t have to think about which song to choose. There was only ever one song he wanted to hear. It wasn’t even a children’s song. But Are you Going to Scarborough Fair always seemed to do the trick. And tonight was no exception.
Before she’d finished, he’d fallen into the kind of deep sleep that came only with jet lag. She pulled the duvet a little higher around his shoulders, crept out of the room and down the stairs.
As she opened the kitchen door she was greeted by the combined gazes of her mother and Lucy. The easy part was over. Now it was time to tell the truth. Or at least as much as she could bear.
Chapter Two
‘Jen!’ Lucy jumped up from the kitchen table where she’d been sitting with Kate. Both women looked guilty, as if caught red-handed.
