Epilogue
One week later
They had arranged to meet at a coffee shop on the Southside of Glasgow, close to where Iona lived and easy for her to get to. Flora had driven Iris from Rowan Bay and had promised to stay close, taking herself for a walk in nearby Queen’s Park.
‘Remember, just call me if you need me, Gran, and I’ll be right there,’ she said reassuringly, as she left Iris at the door.
The café appeared to be a bright and airy place with huge windows.
Iris had arrived early, her heart racing with nervous anticipation.
As she pushed the door open, she quickly scanned the space, looking for a quiet spot to wait.
She sat down at a table in the corner, where she could keep her eyes on the door, and waited.
She checked her watch again and again, then smoothed her hands over her lap, urging herself to stay calm.
But the butterflies were having a party in her stomach.
As soon as the woman walked in, Iris knew it was her.
She looked around hesitantly and took small steps, with the aid of a walking stick, then scanned the room. Their eyes met and for a moment time stood still.
A sharp sob rose in Iris’s chest and she managed to choke it back. She was immediately stunned at Iona’s likeness to their mother. She was her double. Iona walked towards her with a warm smile.
‘Iris.’
‘Iona,’ she whispered, standing up. ‘It’s really you.’
They hugged each other tightly, Iris trembling as she held onto her sister, neither wanting to let go.
Then they sat down at the table across from each other, clasping hands as though trying to make up for lost time.
Neither spoke for a moment as they stared at each other, trying to make sense of what was happening.
Iona smiled at her, her eyes glistening with tears. ‘Oh, Iris. I am so happy to finally meet you.’
Iris was overwhelmed and could only nod, squeezing her sister’s hands tightly. When the waitress came over to take their order, they sat back in their seats, mirroring each other’s body language.
‘A pot of Earl Grey tea, please,’ said Iona.
‘The same for me,’ agreed Iris, not caring what she drank.
Iona reached into her bag and pulled out a worn envelope, its edges softened by time.
Her voice was quiet as she spoke. ‘I wanted to show you this. It was given to me by my mother when she told me about the adoption. It was all I had to tell me about my past.’ She put the envelope down gently on the table, her fingers trembling as she let it go.
Iris stared at it, wondering what it was.
‘Go on, open it,’ encouraged Iona. ‘You can read it too.’
Iris’s fingers trembled as she reached for the envelope. She carefully opened it and gasped when she saw her mother’s familiar handwriting. Then she started to read.
My darling girl,
If you are reading this it means you have been told.
Please know that I love you and I am sorry for any hurt I have caused.
You will forever be in my heart.
Now and always.
I hope life treats you well.
Until we meet again.
All my love,
M x
Tears were now running down Iris’s cheeks as she looked over at Iona who was again dabbing her eyes with a hankie.
Seeing the words her mother had written felt so significant, yet so sad, too.
The letter was like a thread that connected their past to their present.
And although the memory of losing her mother was tinged with grief and sadness, especially with all that her mother had endured all those years ago, it also offered them a chance.
‘We have found each other and that is all that matters,’ said Iona quietly. A soft smile started to spread across her face. ‘I just can’t believe that you are really here, Iris.’
Iris nodded. ‘I know. I feel the same.’
The waitress set down a large pot of tea at the table with two cups and saucers.
‘Shall I pour?’ suggested Iris.
‘Thank you.’
This was about a new chapter in their lives and the promise of a different kind of love, a sister’s love, that she had never had before. Iris picked up her filled cup and made a toast. ‘To new adventures we can experience together.’
Iona beamed and gently knocked her cup against Iris’s. ‘It’s never too late.’
Iona’s words felt significant, a reminder that life is full of unexpected curveballs and to grab it while you can.
‘And to sisters,’ said Iris.
‘To sisters and to families.’ Iona looked across at her with a smile full of joy.
‘Talking of which,’ said Iris. ‘I told my son, James, all about you and he says he can’t wait to meet you. He and his wife are planning a visit back to Scotland this Christmas.’
‘That sounds wonderful, Iris. Tell him I look forward to meeting him very soon too.’
For a moment, Iris felt as though their mother was there with them in the café and a shiver ran down her spine.
Her heart flooded with love and she hoped she would be watching over them, at peace, knowing they had found each other.
This was their new beginning and a chance to move forward together. Never forgetting the past.
THE END