Chapter 35
Chapter thirty-five
Meredith rose early, long before everyone else in the house. She pulled on a jumper and wandered into the kitchen, tiptoeing and closing the door to Schultz's soft snores.
In the darkness, she could see the figures beneath the covers on the couch. One head at each end.
For a moment, she stood and watched. She was unsure if Imogen's ideas had any real credence. Billy and Rosa hadn't shown any sign they were romantically interested in each other again, and yet, she couldn't quite say Imogen was wrong to wish for it.
She'd never understood how they hadn't found their way back to one another, especially now that Billy had sorted herself out. They'd been so in love—young love that had lasted into adulthood, and then adulthood revoked their calm, peaceful life with no warning.
Turning away, she moved towards the sink and quietly filled the kettle.
She had a mug brewing when she heard movement and turned to find Billy sitting upright, stretching her arms into the air. Dark curls looked like they needed a brush. Meredith smiled. "Morning," she whispered and held up the mug. "Tea?"
"Please," Billy whispered back, lifting the covers and raising her legs up and over Rosa, pulling them back over Rosa.
In socked feet, she padded across the room and met her mother, who handed her the mug of tea she'd made for herself.
"Have this, I'll make another one."
Billy grinned. "Thanks. How did you sleep?"
"Great," Meredith said over her shoulder, "once I'd poked Schultz into rolling over and stopped his snoring." She turned and looked at the sofa—at Rosa. "You?"
"Uh, yeah, was…good." She stared over at Rosa too, before looking back at her mum. "I think this has been good for us…you know…clearing the air."
"Long overdue." Meredith smiled back.
"Yes. It has… She said I can bring Imogen over here again, on my own…if Imogen wants to, of course."
"Pfft, like you'd stop her from it. She loves the snow." She patted Billy's arm. "But that is a huge step forward. I'm proud of you."
"Thanks." Billy smiled, absorbing the praise.
"I mean it, Billy. I know we've had our own difficulties. Heaven knows your dad was…well, the less said about him the better, but now, things are settled."
"Things are good, Mum. You and Schultz…it's like you're a different person with him in your life."
"He's a good man," she agreed. "And…she is a good woman."
Billy squinted. "Rosa?"
"Who else?" Meredith chuckled. "She's the only one who ever made you happy."
"A lot of water's passed under the bridge, though… We're different people now," Billy said, trying to be diplomatic with her response. Lying to her mother felt unfair, and yet, she'd promised Rosa she wouldn't let anyone else know—not yet.
"Different, yes. Better? Also, yes. There's still love there, I think." Meredith pushed that button and watched for any clue that Imogen wasn't going to be disappointed.
"There will always be love there. She's the mother of my child…the love of my life. I don't deny that. But we're divorced and we've both moved on in life, so…"
Meredith nodded. "Alright, I get it. I'm just saying…never say never." Then she winked.
Billy shook her head and smiled. "I'm going to grab a shower."
"Okay, I'll get breakfast going. That should get them all up."
"Bacon?"
"And toast…and coffee."
The other bedroom door opened, and sleepy-looking Robbie shuffled out, still inside the sleeping bag.
"Morning," Meredith whispered again. "Tea?"
"Yes, please." Robbie pulled a chair out from the table and sat down. "They're still asleep."
"So are Schultz and Rosa," Meredith said, keeping her voice low. "Last day today—are you looking forward to going home?"
"Yeah, I suppose so. I do miss them."
"That's the thing, isn't it? When we're away from those we love, it doesn't matter how much fun we're having, we still miss them."
"I talked to Cassie last night, then of course Georgie had to photobomb and say hi." Robbie grinned. "I kind of like that she does that, but don't tell her I said so."
"She loves you a lot—I can tell."
Robbie nodded. "Yep. It's weird having her around, still.
When we were little, I only really saw her at birthdays and Christmas—she was always so busy in London with work.
And then…obviously, when Mum and Dad died, we all thought we'd live with Grandma.
But Georgie's been there every day since.
Gave everything up for us." She smiled sadly.
"The least I can do is love her for it, right? "
Rosa stirred.
"Ooh, another sleepy head has risen?" Meredith said, craning her neck from the kitchen at Rosa.
"What time is it?" Rosa asked without moving.
Billy chuckled. "It's almost time you were up."
"Hm, funny." She pushed the cover back and then shivered, pulling it up again. "It's cold."
"I'll get a fire started. The heating should kick in again soon," Billy offered.
"A cup of coffee or tea will help get you going," Meredith said.
Rosa twisted to look back at her. "Coffee would be great, thank you.
" She turned back to watch Billy get to work on the fire.
Sleeves rolled up, muscles tensing with every log she lifted and pushed into the opening.
Her shirt had ridden up a little and her jeans went the opposite direction. Not the worst view, she thought.
Then she remembered they weren't alone, so she stretched, yawned, and forced herself to sit up.
"Are the roads clear now?"
"Carl texted and said the roads are clear enough that he can make it here and pick us all up," Meredith said as she returned to the couch with the mug of coffee Rosa had requested.
"Thank you."
"He's going to drop us home and wait while we all get changed, and then he'll take the girls for their last run."
"I can't believe how quickly the time went," Rosa said. "Are you all packed, Robbie?"
"Yeah, just need to shove our sleep things in and the stuff we wore yesterday, and then we're pretty much done."
"What about you two?" Meredith asked, her eyes moving from Billy to Rosa and back again.
"I'm all packed," Billy said.
"Yes, mostly—just a few last things, and then we'll tidy up here."
"All organised then." Meredith smiled. "Flights are at 07.20, right?"
"Yes, we need to be at the airport for five, so we're leaving here at three, just in case," Billy answered.
“We’re going to miss you all.”
“I’m sure the girls will be back with Billy at the earliest opportunity,” Rosa said, before sipping her coffee and avoiding looking at Billy.