Written in the Stars (Ali Harris) by Ali Harris

Author:Ali Harris
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: General, Fiction
ISBN: 9781471125546
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Published: 2014-06-04T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter 37

‘Morning!’ calls Sal, smiling broadly at me as I push open the door on Monday. I’m immediately engulfed by the fragrance of flowers and earthy wet flower-shop scent. I loved being back in Norfolk, seeing Kieran and catching up with Loni and then having dinner with Cal. So much so that I’ve promised I’ll visit more often. I won’t be full-time here until Sal goes on maternity leave. In fact I’ve already decided to go back home this week. It’s not because of Kieran – I want to spend more time with my family. Well, that’s what I’m telling myself.

‘How was your weekend?’ Sal asks as she puts out the buckets of flowers.

‘Great!’ I reply. ‘Brilliant, in fact. Just what I needed . . .’

This is true. I feel so much better for spending some time at home. Hearing Milly’s news made me realise just how much I’ve been neglecting my family. I can count on one hand the amount of times I’ve seen them in the past year and I feel horribly ashamed. Not least because Cal and Lucy could do with some help. They’re both clearly exhausted. They don’t have the benefit of on-hand babysitters. There isn’t a limitless fund for nights out. Loni babysits when she can but she has so many evening events lined up they have to book her well in advance. I’d been putting off going to Norfolk because I didn’t think it would help me to be there, but I’d been so obsessed with my own needs that I hadn’t considered that I might be able to help them.

Maybe that’s why Loni was so ridiculously thrilled when I told her I’d be back in a few days when she drove me to Norwich and dropped me off at the train station.

‘You’re coming back in DAYS, not months, darling? What a JOY!’ she exulted, pulling me into her bosom and kissing my head fervently. The tight hug Cal gave me on the platform told me he was happy too.

I’d glanced up at Loni as we’d said goodbye and was surprised to see the glimmer of tears in her eyes and I’d felt more ashamed of myself than ever. We’re not the closest mother and daughter in the world but she’s all I have and I know I’ve neglected her.

‘I’m so glad. I’ll have to change some plans though,’ Loni said, more to herself than to us.

‘Oh yeah, G-LO?’ Cal answered teasingly. This is the nickname Loni gave herself because she didn’t feel old enough to be called ‘Grandma’. Cal has taken to using it, too. ‘Got a proper boyfriend, at last? Someone you make plans with? Have you finally decided it’s time to settle down?’ He’d rubbed his chin thoughtfully. ‘It makes sense – I mean, I’ve hardly seen you recently . . .’ He was teasing her and we all knew it. Usually Loni laughs along, but not on this occasion.

‘No, darling!’ Loni snapped, flicking her chin up defensively. ‘You know I

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