Chapter 36
FOR THE NEXT couple of days, Greta was so tired it felt like she’d staggered off a plane after a transatlantic flight, though the farthest she’d actually travelled was a short trip to Leonard’s jewellery shop. Oddly, the premises were unlit, with a handwritten sign taped to the door.
Temporarily closed.
Greta re-read the words and sighed. Reaching into her handbag, she pulled out a pen and a notepad. She tore out a page, wrote a short note, and wrapped it around the jar of pearls with an elastic band.
She told Leonard that she believed the broken necklace had belonged to his mother, Millie. She kept the note brief, knowing he’d need time to take it all in. Adding her phone number and email, she let him know he could also reach her via Nora.
A small sign next to the shop door assured customers that they could safely drop off valuables in the secure deposit box, outside office hours.
Greta placed the jar inside the box, pausing a moment before letting go.
The jar disappeared inside with a quiet, secure click.
Back at home, with Lottie still holed up in the penthouse, Greta found comfort in the little things, like rubbing moistur- iser on the dry patches on her elbows, and making herself cheese on toast with lots of salt and pepper.
Whenever she caught sight of her reflection in the mirror, the flaws she had once fixated on no longer exasperated her. They were simply part of who she was. If strangers didn’t recognise her anymore, that was okay, too. If they were rude to her, it said more about their own insecurities than hers.
There was a sense of freedom in shedding her own old expectations. She wore flowy clothes, jeans and oversized sweatshirts because she wanted to, not because she was trying to hide anything. Leaving her bra on in bed felt like a cosy act of self-care.
Greta made sure she drank lots of water, and she steered clear of coffee.
It felt like the right time to put up her Christmas tree, so she untangled the fairy lights and wound them around the branches.
She used to buy Lottie a bauble every Christmas, right up to the age of thirteen.
They hung them with Greta’s mum, reminiscing as they unwrapped the tissue paper about where they’d bought them.
Now she felt a pang of longing as she took out an angel with real feathers for wings, a polar bear wearing a Santa hat, and a glass candy cane.
Maybe this year, she and Lottie could revive the tradition and buy a new decoration.
But, for now, she had Lottie’s talent show to look forward to. Greta could already feel a quiet thrill of anticipation building. Whatever happened, whatever her daughter’s performance might be, she would be proud.
9
THE WOODEN CHAIRS in Lottie’s school hall were small and rickety.
Greta found herself surrounded by a mass of parents and a couple of crying babies.
One mum in the audience wore pink fluffy slippers.
Each time someone walked past the stage, the backdrop of two handcrafted cardboard reindeer wobbled precariously.
A bedsheet was stretched across the back of the stage, bearing the words Longmill High Christmas Talent Show painted in bold, uneven letters.
Greta opened the programme on her lap with a sense of déjà vu. She ran a finger down the list of names.
Lottie Perks.
Next to her daughter’s name, the act section was blank, and Greta wondered what Lottie might be performing. She couldn’t picture her delivering a pitch-perfect piano solo, reciting a Shakespeare sonnet, or pulling a rabbit out a top hat, as she’d done in Mapleville.
While Greta scanned the other names, someone slipped into the seat next to her. She instinctively froze for a moment. The word Mum? formed on her lips.
Turning her head, she found Jim sitting beside her instead. His brow was knitted, and he’d rolled his programme into a small tube. His denim jacket was a little frayed at the cuffs, and a tuft of his hair stuck up on top.
For the merest moment, she missed the neatly dressed Maple- ville version of him. Until he flashed her a nervous smile.
‘I hope Lottie doesn’t forget her lines,’ Jim said, gripping the programme even tighter. ‘I’ve asked her several times, and she still refuses to tell me. She says it will be a nice surprise. I’m more stressed than I was auditioning for Maple Gold.’
‘She doesn’t have to be perfect,’ Greta assured him. ‘It’ll just add to the performance if she isn’t.’
He nodded, grateful for her words. ‘How are you feeling?’ he asked softly. ‘Did you make an appointment to see a doctor about your . . . visions?’
Greta shook her head. ‘No, I didn’t need to. Everything is . . .’ She hesitated, wondering how to put it. ‘Everything to do with Mapleville, and my time there, is over.’
Jim lifted his chin, relief shining in his eyes. ‘It is?’
She let out a slow breath. ‘I had the choice to stay there for good. Or to remain here.’
‘And you chose life in Longmill?’
She swallowed, then nodded.
Jim’s chest rose and fell. ‘That’s good,’ he said quietly. Before either of them could speak again, a teacher appeared in the aisle, tapping Greta on the shoulder. ‘Do you have a moment, Mrs Perks? Lottie needs you.’
Greta stood and squeezed past Jim, following the teacher across the hall and into an empty classroom. Lottie stood by the window, her gaze far away.
When she turned to face her mum, her cheeks were pale. Greta swept straight over to her. ‘Are you okay, sweetheart?’ The teacher pointed a finger toward the corridor, indicating she’d give them some time together. She tactfully slipped away.
Lottie blew into her cheeks, then released her breath with a huff. ‘I can’t do this,’ she said, her voice shaky. ‘All those people will be watching me. What if I mess up?’
Greta offered her a reassuring smile. ‘Oh, sweetheart. Please don’t worry. People always remember how you make them feel. More so than any mistakes.’
‘I’m not like you. You never get nervous.’
Greta squeezed her arm. ‘Oh, I definitely do. I may have looked calm when you saw me at Brewtique, but inside, I felt ready to fall apart.’
Lottie looked unconvinced, picking at the edge of her sleeve. ‘Really?’
‘Yes. Really. And on the set of the Maple Gold ads, too.’
Lottie worked her lips for a second. ‘I just don’t want to let you or Dad down.’
Greta bent to meet her eyes. ‘You could never do that. You’re already more than I ever hoped for.’ A quick flash of pink-plaid-wearing Lottie flashed in her head, but the image was fainter, greyer. Like a photo faded in the sun. ‘We both love you, exactly as you are.’
Without warning, Lottie threw an arm around Greta’s waist in a quick, awkward hug, drawing away just as fast.
Greta’s chest warmed. ‘What are you performing, anyway? Can you finally let me in on the secret?’
Lottie nodded. ‘Me and Jayden have been teaching Benji to do a few tricks in the park. He loves it.’
‘Jayden or the dog?’
Lottie smiled. ‘Both.’
‘No offence, but I’m sure all eyes will be on Benji, especially after a rendition of “Jingle Bells” on the recorder. I’ve read the programme.’
Greta could see Lottie still wasn’t completely comfortable, so she sat on a table and patted the space next to her. ‘Remember the breathing exercises we used to do on the Maple Gold set? Breathe in, hold for three, then breathe out. Shall we try it together now?’
Lottie nodded and sat beside her.
They both pressed their hands to their chests and counted under their breath, the quiet moment together feeling more precious and personal than any they’d shared in Mapleville.
The teacher popped her head back around the door. ‘Ready in ten?’ she asked.
‘Yes. Okay,’ Lottie replied reluctantly, nodding as if to convince herself. ‘I’ve got this.’
‘Yes, you have,’ Greta said. ‘And if all else fails, pretend you’re facing a row of potatoes.’
Lottie let out a small laugh. ‘That sounds like something Nora would say.’
Greta rolled her eyes. ‘Tell me about it.’ She stood up and turned to leave the room, then paused. ‘Oh, I almost forgot. I brought you this.’ Reaching into her pocket, she pulled out her mum’s silver bracelet. ‘It looks as good as new.’
‘Grandma’s bracelet. You got it fixed?’ Lottie’s eyes widened. ‘Can I wear it now? It might bring me luck. I’ll tuck it up my sleeve so Benji doesn’t catch it, and I won’t mess with the clasp this time.’ Her words fell out in an excited jumble.
‘Okay, okay.’ Greta laughed. She fed the bracelet around Lottie’s wrist, snapping the clasp firmly in place.
They both took a few moments to admire it.
‘It’s like Grandma is with me,’ Lottie said.
‘Yes, she might well be,’ Greta said. ‘Now, go and knock ‘em dead.’
Greta returned to her place in the school hall, sitting down beside Jim. They smiled at each other as the headmistress strode onto stage and announced the opening of the talent show.
After Jim and Greta had sat through almost an hour of off-key singing, over-enthusiastic dancing, and some quite impressive but rather amateurish magic, Lottie and Jayden’s performance finally arrived.
Benji was met by a series of awws from the audience as soon as he trotted on-stage. All golden fur, chocolate-brown eyes, and a lolloping tongue, he was a complete natural.
Following Lottie and Jayden’s gestures and encouraging commands, he jumped through a hula hoop, rolled over and played dead.
In a moment of pure improvised comedy, Benji jumped off the stage and headed straight towards Greta, flipping over onto his back for a belly scratch.
As she obliged, one of his hind legs pedalled as if he was riding a bike.
Jayden scrambled over to retrieve him. ‘Sorry,’ he said, taking hold of Benji’s collar. ‘He’s a bit lively.’
Lottie followed close behind him. ‘Jay, this is my mum,’ she said.
‘Oh,’ Jayden said, straightening up. He grinned and stuck out his hand. ‘It’s lovely to meet you, Mrs Perks.’
‘You, too.’ Greta returned the shake. She held back a smile at the sight of Lottie’s reddening cheeks.
Her daughter shot her a quick look that was half-smile, halfwarning, before heading back to the stage to finish the act.
Jim caught Greta’s eye. ‘Jayden seems okay, right?’ he mouthed.
‘Yes, really nice.’
When Lottie and Jayden’s act concluded, the audience rose to their feet.
Applause rang around the room, the loudest of the afternoon.
Jim and Greta exchanged a proud look, their hands instinctively finding each other for a quick squeeze.
She briefly relished the feel of her hand in his, regretful when it slipped away again.
When someone touched her shoulder, she expected to see Lottie’s teacher again. Instead, Nora stood there, clapping theatrically.
‘Bravo. I caught the last few minutes of the show. Another student’s mum invited me along to watch her son perform, so I thought I’d pop over to say hi,’ the agent said. ‘That was a fantastic performance from Lottie. She has a superb stage presence.’
Lottie wandered back over with Jayden and Benji in tow, almost turning back when she saw Nora.
Nora immediately homed in on her. ‘Lottie, you were fabulous, darling. I have a part in a TV drama in mind that would be perfect for you. If you want to pop by my office, we can—’
‘No thanks,’ Lottie said quickly. ‘Acting’s not my thing. I want to work with animals.’
Nora’s laugh sounded forced. ‘Hey, hear me out. This role would be a great—’
But Lottie shook her head. ‘Nah. I’m done with all that. It’s fun now and then, but that’s all.’
Rather than disappointment, Greta’s cheeks shone with pride. ‘Never say never,’ Nora said firmly.
‘I’m pretty sure Lottie just did,’ Greta said, wrapping her arm around her daughter’s shoulder. ‘And the same goes for me. I’m definitely done with acting, too. In fact, I’d like to resign from Sky High Ltd.’
‘Do you really mean that, darling?’ Nora blinked behind her purple glasses.
‘The Back to the Land producer called me personally to say he was most impressed with your bread-making skills. We’re having lunch soon, and a certain Mr Tobias Blake may be joining us.
Are you sure you don’t want to reconsider? ’
‘That’s brilliant,’ Greta said. ‘But, no thanks.’
‘I think you’re making a mistake, darling, but I think I understand.’ Nora leaned in and lowered her voice. ‘Between you and I, the producer says Tobias is a bit of a bore, always spouting dreadful philosophical musings about himself.’
‘I can imagine.’ Greta laughed. ‘No one’s perfect.’
‘Absolutely. And that’s what makes my work so very exciting.
’ Nora flung her scarf over her shoulder with a dramatic flourish.
‘We will still see each other, yes? What I mean to say is, I’d like to stay friends.
Showbiz is a fickle world, and it’d be lovely to catch up from time to time over prosecco and a Caesar salad. ’
Greta smiled. ‘I’d like that, too.’
She walked with Nora toward the exit, sharing a hug before her ex-agent drifted away.
Jim stood by the front door waiting with Lottie. ‘Is Nora okay?’ he asked. ‘She seemed a bit rattled.’
‘She’s fine,’ Greta said. ‘I’ve resigned from her agency. So, if you ever want to chat business with her, the coast is clear.’
Jim cleared his throat. ‘There’s actually something I’ve been meaning to tell you,’ he said, fiddling with the neck of his shirt. ‘I turned down the hair contract.’
Greta’s mouth fell open. ‘You did? Why?’
He bent his head and circled his finger around a small thinning patch on his crown.
‘It looks like there’s no fighting nature.
I’m not sure I’m the best advertisement for products that promise you a lion-like mane,’ he said wryly.
‘I don’t have any other jobs lined up, so it looks like you and I are both out of work, at least for a little while. ’
‘It’s not like it hasn’t happened before,’ Greta quipped, noticing Jim didn’t sound too disheartened. ‘Don’t worry, you’ll get snapped up soon.’
They began to cross the school car park together and Lottie jogged over to join them.
‘I’m starving,’ she said, tucking her hair behind her ear. ‘Can we eat soon?’
‘Sure, let’s find somewhere nearby,’ Greta said. ‘Does Jayden want to join us?’
‘He’s already got plans.’ Lottie glanced over at her boyfriend, who was ruffling Benji’s head while fending off offers of treats from students and their parents. ‘I’ll invite him over for tea soon, if that’s okay? I might even try to make pancakes,’ she mused.
Greta tried to picture her daughter in pink plaid, brandishing a spatula, serving up piles of golden-brown pancakes. She’d experienced it in Mapleville, but it actually happening in the real world was a different matter. A loud laugh escaped her.
Lottie and Jim stopped walking to stare at her.
‘What’s funny?’ Lottie asked.
‘Oh, nothing.’ Greta waved it off. ‘What do you want to eat?’
‘I dunno.’ Lottie shrugged a shoulder. ‘Nothing fancy. Just a slice of nice cake or something.’
And that was more than enough for Greta.