Chapter 50
SKYE
‘I’m so excited you’ve both decided to carry on and go travelling together,’ Lettie said as she cuddled baby Isla and walked with Skye to join Joe and Brodie in the yard. ‘He’s such a lovely man.’
‘Who, Brodie?’ Skye teased, watching the two men chatting with Gareth and Lindy next to Brodie’s vehicle.
‘No, silly, Joe.’ They laughed and Skye wished she had longer to get to know Lettie and spend time with Melody, but it was time for them to leave and she was excited to give her grandmother a hug after being away.
She saw Joe look their way. ‘There they are.’ She watched his mouth draw back into a wide smile and the loving look emanating from his eyes and hoped that never changed.
‘We’re not late, are we?’ Lettie asked, handing Isla to Brodie briefly before enveloping Skye in a tight hug.
‘No,’ Brodie replied. ‘But we will be if we don’t leave straight away.’
‘I’m going to miss you both,’ Lettie said, letting go of Skye and hugging Joe. ‘You’ve both been amazing helping like you did, and Brodie and I really appreciate having that time alone with our baby when we came out of hospital.’
‘We were happy to do it,’ Skye replied, feeling a little guilty knowing she and Joe had enjoyed their extra time alone too.
Brodie handed the baby back to Lettie and kissed the tops of their heads. ‘I won’t be too long.’
Skye hoped Joe wasn’t too upset after Faye’s reaction the previous day. He had tried to call her but she hadn’t answered. Faye didn’t answer. ‘You OK?’ she whispered as he took her rucksack and put it next to his in the boot of the car.
‘Sure. I’ll be fine. She does this sort of thing. All it really does is confirm that I’m doing the right thing not moving back into the bungalow with her and Roger.’
She took his hand and gave it a gentle squeeze before they both got into Brodie’s car. ‘I’ll sit in the back,’ Skye said, not waiting for Joe to reply before doing so.
‘Enjoy yourselves,’ Lettie called as Brodie started the car and drove out of the yard.
‘Bye, Lettie.’ Skye waved to her as the car went down the driveway, sad to be leaving but excited to be taking this next step with Joe by her side.
They arrived at the airport six minutes later and got out of the car. Skye was saying her goodbyes to Brodie when she heard Joe speak.
‘I don’t believe it.’
She and Brodie turned to see what he was referring to and saw Faye hurrying towards them. Her heart dipped, hoping Joe’s mother wasn’t about to cause a scene and ruin his departure even further.
‘Joe, wait,’ she said her heels click-clacking across the zebra crossing from the car park to where Brodie had parked outside the departure terminal.
Joe groaned and glanced at Skye. ‘Sorry about this.’
‘It’s fine – she’s your mum.’
‘Mum,’ he said, going to her. ‘What are you doing here?’
Faye pushed her hair from her face. Skye could tell she was a little distraught and felt sorry for her. She left Joe and his mother to some privacy and stayed next to Brodie, out of the way.
‘I had to come,’ Skye heard Faye say breathlessly. ‘I couldn’t leave things between us as they were. And I do know it was all my fault.’
‘Mum, it’s fine,’ Joe said.
‘It’s not. I was selfish. I spoke to Roger and he pointed out a few things.’
‘Like what?’
Skye hoped Faye was about to say something to make Joe feel much better about leaving.
‘I made a few phone calls and contacted an old friend who has offered me her cottage for a few months. It’s not available just yet and I told her Roger and I need to stay in the bungalow while you’re away to keep an eye on things, but she insisted that was fine.’
‘What are you saying?’
‘That I have somewhere Roger and I can move into when you get back. You’re right to go away with Skye and see where this relationship leads.’
Skye looked over without thinking and caught Faye’s eye. Faye waved. ‘Hello, Skye. I hope the pair of you have a wonderful time together.’
‘That’s very kind of you, thank you,’ Skye said, relieved Faye had had a change of heart.
‘Thanks, Mum,’ Joe said.
‘That’s not all. Roger also admitted how embarrassed he has been accepting money from you to keep us going. So we’re putting the feelers out for jobs for the pair of us.’
‘Really?’
Skye couldn’t miss the shock in Joe’s voice.
‘Yes. We shouldn’t be relying on you,’ Faye said. ‘Basically I wanted to come here and apologise and let you know things will change.’
‘I see.’
‘And of course to give you a hug and say bon voyage to the pair of you.’
‘Thanks, Mum, I appreciate this.’
Skye watched as the pair hugged and said their farewells before Faye gave her and Brodie a wave and walked back to the car park.
Joe took his bag from Brodie and Skye slipped her hand into his.
Brodie held up his car keys. ‘I’m going to get a fine if I don’t move on from here,’ he said. ‘Off you go and have a brilliant time, the pair of you.’
‘Thanks, Brodie, we’ll do our best.’ Joe laughed.
‘We certainly will,’ Skye said, giving his hand a squeeze and leading him into the departure hall.
‘I’m looking forward to this,’ Joe said as they queued to go through security.
‘You’re not the only one.’ Skye sighed happily. ‘I don’t think I’ve ever been more excited about embarking on an adventure than I am today.’
‘Me, too.’ He bent to kiss her. ‘Let’s do this.’
* * *