Chapter 29
29
JOE
They walked hand in hand past the harbour then the parish hall towards the car park behind it, where Joe had parked his car.
‘That was more emotional than I expected. Although I suppose after listening to what Sandra told us I should have expected it to be that way.’ Joe held Skye’s hand in his, enjoying that it felt natural for them now as they walked back to the car. When she didn’t reply, he looked down at her, trying to gauge whether it had been too much for her. ‘Are you OK?’
She smiled up at him. It was a shaky smile. Her eyes were filled with unshed tears and she seemed to be struggling to keep control of her emotions.
Pulling her closer, Joe let go of her hand and put his arm protectively around her shoulders. ‘You did amazingly back there. That can’t have been easy for either of you, especially when Carlos realised who you were to him.’
‘I can’t help feeling badly that it was such a shock to him. Maybe we should have tipped Bruno off about me finding the name in Mum’s notebook and then Sandra telling us that Carlos and Mum had been in a relationship years ago.’
Joe was about to agree with her then realised why they hadn’t. ‘How could we know whether Carlos wanted his son to know about your mum and the time they spent together?’
‘True.’
‘At least this way it was up to Carlos to come to whatever conclusion he wanted to. He was the one to mention Sandra, don’t forget. And your mum, for that matter. For all we knew, he could have had a girlfriend waiting for him somewhere, maybe Bruno’s and his other sons’ mum. It wasn’t for us to share information that Carlos wasn’t ready to discuss with his family.’ He realised what he’d said and added, ‘The rest of his family.’ Hugging her closer, Joe thought about what this must mean to Skye.
‘You’re right,’ she agreed. ‘I’m glad it panned out the way it did though. At least we gave Carlos the option to share or keep secret anything he chose to.’
‘I’m happy about that, too. He’ll probably need some time to get his head around everything he’s learnt today.’ Joe wondered how Carlos must feel discovering what happened to Annie after all those years. ‘I felt sorry for him, learning about your mum passing though.’
‘Poor man. All he expected to do when he came out for coffee with Bruno this morning was to try and help a stranger find out more about her parents.’ She groaned. ‘He’ll probably never trust anyone again after things turning out so differently.’
‘He seemed happy enough by the end to have met you though, don’t forget.’ Joe sensed her emotions racing and wished she was back at the farm already and able to either be comforted by him or spend some time alone to process what had happened at the café. ‘This must all be very strange for you,’ he said. ‘Unsettling.’
She slipped her arm around his waist. It felt good to be this close to him.
‘Ever since Sandra told us about Carlos and Mum my world seems to have flipped upside down. I thought that was a lot, but meeting him has made everything seem much more real somehow. I can’t quite get my head around it. I…’
She didn’t continue her sentence and, intrigued, Joe said, ‘Go on. What is it?’
She cleared her throat. ‘I just wish Mum was here to know I did find him and that he’s lovely.’ She sniffed. ‘That he still remembers Mum, and fondly too.’ She took a tissue from her jeans pocket and blew her nose. ‘I hate to think how confused he’s been all these years.’
‘I know that was horrible to hear. But,’ Joe said, wanting to keep the mood as upbeat as possible and hoping to help Skye remember this day positively. ‘We know he didn’t spend all these years alone and miserable. Don’t forget he married, or at least had a relationship with someone who bore his three sons. He’s not alone and seemed happy enough.’
‘Before we told him our earth-shattering news.’
‘This exciting, amazing news that he has a daughter. Something, or should I say someone, who will always be a reminder of that young love he and your mum shared.’
‘I like that idea. Thank you.’
They reached the car and Joe unlocked the doors. The drive home was only ten minutes and he took them the scenic route down La Pulente Hill and all the way along the Five Mile Road to the very end at L’Etacq. They could have turned off earlier but he wanted to show her something.
‘Is this the right way?’ she asked, pointing up the hill that would take them to St Ouen’s Village.
‘There’s something I think you should see.’
He drove around the cliff, past the fisheries, then began the descent of the steep hill. Then, slowing, pointed out of the driver’s window. ‘Look at that,’ he said. ‘It’s my favourite view of anywhere.’
She peered past him at the expanse of the entire bay they had just driven along, with the rolling waves halfway down the beach. The beauty never ceased to take his breath away, whatever the weather.
‘Wow, that really is stunning.’
‘I thought you’d like it.’
‘I sense there’s a reason you’re showing me this today.’
He hadn’t realised it before now, but knew she was right. ‘I thought I’d bring you to the place I come to when everything gets a bit overwhelming.’ He indicated left and two minutes later was parked in the small car park near Battery Moltke, a tourist attraction that made up a section of a series of bunkers and gun placements for artillery to the south of Les Landes, built during the occupation of the island during World War Two.
They got out of the car and Joe led her the short way down a path through the gorse to stand on the top of a ridge. ‘There,’ he said, pointing proudly at the same view he had just driven past. ‘This is a better viewpoint.’
He waited while she stared at the incredible view with Corbiere lighthouse at the other side of the bay, the several Napoleonic granite towers dotted along the coast all now standing behind the sea wall built as part of Hitler’s Atlantic wall.
‘It’s so incredibly beautiful,’ Skye murmured. ‘And wild. I can see why you love it so much.’
‘And maybe why it reminds me that my problems really aren’t that big after all. There’s so much more to the world and our place in it than me. I always feel better seeing this.’
‘And listening to the waves at night?’ she asked, gazing up at him.
He liked that she had thought of that. ‘Yes, that too.’ Deciding he should probably get Skye back to the farm, he took her hand. ‘Shall we go back now?’
‘Yes,’ she said. ‘I think I need some time to sit quietly and think about everything that’s happened this morning.’ She looked up at him with an intensity in her face that made his stomach clench. ‘I really appreciate everything you’ve done for me, Joe. And for being with me every step of the way. I couldn’t have done this without you.’
He put his arms around her. ‘You could have. You’re certainly strong enough, but I’m glad you don’t have to.’
‘So am I.’