24. Pearl
24
PEARL
S tanding in the spring sunshine, Pearl smiled as she watched the village children racing around the gardens. There were shouts of excitement and lots of laughter as they located Easter eggs and added them to their baskets. It was a tradition to hold the village Easter Egg Hunt at the café gardens and every year, Pearl hoped the weather would be nice. It wasn’t quite the same watching the poor children wearing raincoats and wellies as they squelched around in search of eggs that would surely be wet by the time they found them. But today was glorious: bright blue sky, warm sunshine and a balmy sea breeze.
She looked around for Ellie, then spotted her with Jasper’s children. Alfie was glued to her side while Mabel walked on ahead, turning every so often to give her younger brother instructions. Ellie had helped Pearl to set up the clues earlier that morning and to hide the eggs, but she appeared to be feigning ignorance as to their whereabouts so the children to work things out for themselves.
What pleased Pearl was how contented Ellie looked with the children. She’d never thought of her granddaughter as being someone keen to have children of her own, but she was a natural with Mabel and Alfie. She knew how to speak to them, how to reassure them, and they responded to her happily and confidently. Three days ago, Ellie had spent the afternoon and evening with Jasper and the children. When Ellie had returned home, she’d been glowing with happiness. Apparently, she’d sprained her ankle at the beach and Jasper had taken her home to put ice on it, but then invited her to stay for food. Looking at them now, she thought, an outsider who didn’t know them might think they were a family.
She patted a finger on her lips as she thought about that. Mabel and Alfie had lost their mum when they were very young. Jasper was an amazing dad to them and he had other female role models around for them, but it would never replace having a mum. Kimberley had been a lovely person, but she was no longer here. Pearl knew well that you didn’t need to be someone’s biological mother to love them and raise them. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if Jasper found love again, a love that brought joy to him and his children, filling their home with laughter and warmth?
‘You look deep in thought.’
Pearl turned to Jasper, who’d just emerged from the café, a tray of drinks in his hands.
‘Always.’ She laughed.
‘Ellie is amazing with the children,’ he said, gazing over at them.
‘I know. She’s a natural.’ Pearl nodded, then she turned her gaze back to Jasper. ‘And what about you and Ellie?’
He lifted his chin, and his eyes widened slightly.
‘It’s all right, Jasper. You can be honest with me.’
He blew out a breath. ‘I, um … I don’t really know how to answer that question, Pearl.’
‘Truthfully, sweetheart.’
‘OK … um…’ He looked down at the tray and shifted it around in his hands. ‘Ellie is … a very special person and I enjoy spending time with her.’
‘I’m glad.’ Pearl placed a hand on his arm. ‘Happiness isn’t guaranteed in this life, so … as I’ve said before … when you find it, grab it.’
‘Yeah … It’s not the easy though, right?’ He looked up and she could see that his blue eyes were cloudy. ‘I have to put the children first and to ensure that all my decisions are the right ones for them.’
‘This is true. But doesn’t their dad being happy have a knock-on effect for them too? And surely the one thing we should teach our children is that they have a right to be happy and a right to be loved.’
Jasper smiled. ‘My mum said something similar to me recently.’
‘Now… I know I’m biased because Ellie is my blood, but she really is a special soul and she would be good for all of you. She hasn’t had an easy time of things over the years and I know she’s still working out what she wants from life too, but she also has a lot of love to give to the right person.’
‘I get what you’re saying.’ Jasper’s eyes roamed in Ellie’s direction again, and Pearl watched as his expression softened. There was definitely something there, and Pearl hoped Jasper would make peace with his feelings for Ellie and his desire to protect the children. It was possible for him to have the happiness she felt certain Ellie could bring to his life, just as Ellie could find hers with him.
‘Fluidity, Jasper, is a marvellous thing. Move with your feelings. Know that it is OK not to be fully in control at all times. You are a father, but you are also a man and you are permitted to want things for yourself.’
‘Thanks, Pearl.’ He leant forwards and kissed her cheek, holding the tray carefully so as not to spill the drinks.
‘Now have fun darling. It’s a beautiful day for it.’
Jasper crossed the grass to Ellie and his children and Pearl smiled at the way Ellie’s face lit up when Jasper reached her. Call her a romantic old fool, but she had a feeling they could well be falling in love.