Chapter Twenty-Three ~ Fiona #2
Mum starts shaking her head before I even finish speaking. “I’ve loved having you here these last few weeks, and it’s been good for both of us, but I always knew it was temporary. I promise I’ll be okay when you go. I have so many people looking out for me. A whole town, in fact.”
I give a shaky laugh. “That’s not even an exaggeration.” I rearrange the position of our hands so I’m cupping hers. “You’re not…mad? Disappointed? I know I should have been honest from the beginning, but it seemed like such a trivial thing compared to you losing the love of your life.”
She drops her gaze, but not before I catch the sorrow at the mention of Dad.
“I’m not mad or disappointed. I suspected something else was going on, and the fact you’ve stayed this long confirmed it.
Do I wish you’d told me sooner?” She lifts one shoulder in a half shrug.
“Maybe, but I figured you had your reasons for whatever you were keeping from me, and you’d tell me when you were ready.
As for the actual suspension, it was clearly a gross abuse of Sanjay’s power.
I wish I could be there to see you and Mila take that fucker down a peg or two. ”
I burst out laughing and can’t stop. Mum chuckles along with me, which only makes me laugh harder.
I’m sure part of it is relief that the conversation I’ve been putting off for weeks was a million times easier than I anticipated.
It also reminds me how incredibly lucky I am to have such an amazing mother who loves me unconditionally.
“If Mila heard you say that, she’d probably promise to film it surreptitiously on her phone,” I say once my giggles have tapered off.
“Maybe she should do that regardless,” Mum says. “What is it you kids say these days? Keep the receipts?”
When I start laughing again, Mum swats at me, even though her eyes are dancing with amusement. She sits back in her chair and picks up her forgotten glass of wine. “What do you plan to do once you and Mila have quit?”
“Well, we originally talked about travelling together for a bit, but Mila decided to go home to Prague,” I tell her. “Dad’s death has hit her hard, and she wants to take advantage of this unexpected free time to be with her own family.”
“Smart,” Mum says. “And you?”
“I’ve been toying with the idea of a short solo trip,” I admit. “I have friends in London who will keep my stuff for as long as I need after we pack up. I can’t deny I’ve been feeling the pull for adventure the last few weeks, and this seems like the perfect opportunity.”
“Also smart,” Mum says. “It’s so easy to hop from country to country when you’re over there.”
“Exactly. After that, I was thinking I might come back here for a bit while I figure things out. Mila and I have a lot of work to do to get this business off the ground, and I need to figure out whether I want to try for a UK visa or attempt to get an Irish passport through the Foreign Births Register.”
“If you decide on the Irish passport, I’m sure Nathan would let you use the cottage,” Mum says. “It’s not like he’ll be living there full-time, if at all. You could pay him rent and claim it as your first business expense.”
Unlike my uncontrollable giggles of a few minutes ago, the laugh I let out now sounds forced.
Mum appears dismayed for a moment, as if she’s worried she said something to upset me.
There’s no legitimate reason for me to be upset, though, so I smile and say, “That’s certainly one possibility. It’d be nice to be somewhere familiar.”
“Speaking of familiar, I know you don’t necessarily think of this place as your home anymore, but you know you’re welcome here anytime. Mila too.” Her gaze shifts over my shoulder, and I turn to see Mila taking a few tentative steps into the kitchen.
“Sorry to interrupt, but I need to stir the goulash.”
Mum rises from the table and brushes a kiss against my best friend’s temple.
“I meant what I said. You’re both welcome here any time, for as long as you want.
You could make this your headquarters until you figure things out.
For now…I’d like to eat dinner. I’m surprised you can’t hear my stomach growling. ”
“Is that what that sound is?” Mila teases. “I did wonder. I didn’t think there were wild animals in Honeywell.”
With a laugh, Mum excuses herself to go wash up, and Mila turns to me. “That went well, yes?” she asks quietly.
“Better than I could have hoped,” I say. “Probably better than I deserve.”
“Nah, from everything I know about Mae, I’m not at all surprised.
She’s a gem, and so are you.” She begins slicing the bread she made earlier, releasing more delectable scents into the air.
“Hey, I just realized we should have invited Nathan for dinner. It’s last-minute, but why don’t you text him? ”
Mila knows about my theory that Nathan has been avoiding me since the other night, so I’m sure this is her way of trying to lure him over here. At this point, I’ll take any excuse to see him, so I pull out my phone and text him.
Fiona: Mila made goulash for dinner. I’ve had a few sneaky tastes, and it’s amazing. Want to join us?
He replies almost immediately.
Nathan: Can’t tonight. Sorry.
That’s it. No explanation. Not that he owes me one, but I thought he might offer something. I’m about to put my phone away when it vibrates again.
Nathan: Rain cheque? And I wouldn't say no if you ladies wanted to save me some leftovers…
Fiona: You got it.
Feeling bolstered by my successful conversation with Mum, I take a chance and type another message. Mila and I are leaving in a few days, and I need to talk to Nathan.
Fiona: Are you free later, say around 9? Could you meet me in the treehouse for a bit? There’s something important I want to talk to you about.
The little checkmark pops up almost instantly, showing he’s read it. I fidget with my phone as one minute passes, then another. Mum returns to the kitchen, and Mila starts dishing up the goulash. I’m about to put my phone away when it buzzes once more.
Nathan: I’ll be there.