Chapter 32
On a sunny Sunday morning in the car park of The Quicken Tree Inn, Rory and I prepared to leave Rowan Vale. I handed him the smallest of our suitcases which he put in the boot with the other one then slammed the door shut.
‘That everything?’
I nodded. ‘My bag’s in the back seat. We’re ready to go.’
He put his arm around me, and we both turned to say goodbye to the two people who’d arrived earlier to see us off.
‘It’s going to be weird without you,’ Brooke said tearfully. ‘You know, when you turned up here in Rowan Vale, I thought it was the worst thing that could ever happen to me. But it turns out it was the best. I’ll miss you, Kirsty.’
I tried to smile, but I was feeling pretty tearful, too. ‘I’ll miss you. I wish I could give you a hug.’ I gave her a wistful look. ‘Actually, I wish I could give you both a hug.’
‘Danny says he’s glad you came, and he’s really happy for us both,’ Rory told me. ‘Thanks, little brother. And yes, I promise I’ll take care of her.’
‘And you take care of my cousin,’ I said, wishing I could be sure where Danny was standing as it was weird talking to thin air. I nodded at Brooke. ‘And you take care of him. You both deserve to be happy.’
‘So do you. We’re both so glad that you’ve made up.’
‘Hey,’ Rory said, ‘don’t look so sad, Danny!
This isn’t goodbye, remember. It’s only au revoir.
We made a promise and we intend to keep it.
We’ll be back in the summer with those things you wanted, and we’ll help you brighten up the flat so it’s how you like it. We’ll make it a proper home for you.’
‘And I’ll dig out the photos,’ I promised. ‘I’ve got some great ones of Brooke when she was little!’
‘No way!’ Brooke said in horror. ‘I don’t want those, thanks very much.’
I laughed. ‘I’ll bring you lots of photos of Cal and his family, and of your mum and dad, and Gran, and everyone.’
‘And I’ve got photos of our mum and dad, Danny, and pictures of our friends and relations. We’ll put a noticeboard up on the wall so you can look at them whenever you want.’
‘And we’ll write,’ I added. ‘Every week we’ll send you updates. We promise.’
‘So,’ Brooke said softly, ‘I guess this is it.’
I nodded. ‘I guess it is. For now.’ I followed Rory’s gaze to where I assumed Danny was standing. ‘Goodbye, Danny. I’m so pleased for you and Brooke, and I wish you all the happiness in the world. Thank you for all we had and all we shared. I’ll never forget the good times.’
‘He says he wishes the same for you,’ Rory said gently. ‘And he’s happy that we’re all ready to let go of the past and move on at last.’
‘To the future,’ I said.
‘To the future,’ Brooke and Rory replied, and I was fairly certain Danny had joined in, too.
After all, it was what the four of us wanted more than anything.
Life certainly hadn’t played out the way any of us had expected, and we’d been left to flounder for nearly two decades, torn apart by guilt and grief. But now we were free, and it was time to let go and build new lives – and afterlives – with hope and love in our hearts.
As Rory and I drove slowly down the driveway, I could see Brooke waving in the rear-view mirror, and I blinked away tears as I saw her stretch out her arm, for all the world as if she was reaching for Danny’s hand.
And just for an instant…
No.
It must have been the sunlight reflecting on the glass.
Smiling to myself I settled back in the seat, as my wonderful husband turned the car towards home.
* * *