A Part of Me by Vivien Brown

Author:Vivien Brown [Brown, Vivien]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Bloodhound Books

‘Geri?’ Ruby came into the kitchen and sat down at the table, glad to see that Lily was not around.

Geraldine was peeling potatoes at the sink. She had her back to her and didn’t turn round. ‘Yes, love?’

‘There’s something I need to talk to you about. Something… private.’

‘Well, now you have me intrigued.’ She put her peeler down and wiped her hands on a cloth, then pulled out a chair and sat down.

‘Where’s Lily?’

‘Upstairs. I said she could play for a while before her tea. Why?’

‘It’s just that I’d rather she didn’t hear what I’m going to say, that’s all.’

‘Have you met someone?’

‘What?’

‘Oh, I know you probably think we’re nosey old buggers, but William happened to spot you at lunchtime. With someone. A young man.’

‘Oh.’

‘None of our business, I know. But, if you have, well, I just want you to know that I’m happy for you, and he will be very welcome here. As any friend of yours is welcome here.’

‘No. Oh, Geri, no, you’ve got the wrong end of the stick. Yes, I did have lunch with someone today, but it’s not what you think.’

‘No?’

‘It was Jack, the one I told you about yesterday.’

‘The bloke from London?’

‘Yes. I’m sorry, Geri. I know you said you didn’t want to get involved, and I respected that, but that was before.’

‘Before what?’

‘Before he told me exactly what it’s all about. Why he so desperately wants to meet you.’

‘Is it to do with Michael? Is he in some kind of trouble? Money?’

Ruby reached across the table and held Geri’s hand. ‘It’s not about Michael. It’s about… Elizabeth.’

‘Who’s Elizabeth? Ruby, I have no idea what you’re talking about. And who exactly is this Jack?’

‘He says… he says he might be your grandson.’

Ruby watched the puzzlement in Geri’s face turn slowly to something almost like fear. Her hand, caught underneath her own, clenched suddenly and Ruby was sure it had started to tremble a little.

‘My grandson?’

‘He says… oh, Geri, I don’t even like to ask, but did you have a baby? A little girl? One you gave up for adoption?’

Geraldine closed her eyes but it didn’t stop a tear from escaping as she slowly nodded her head. ‘Yes. Yes, I did. It was so long ago. I suppose I always knew that she might come looking for me some day, but it’s been more than fifty years, Ruby. I thought it was never going to happen. I thought that part of my life was over. That I would never know what happened to her…’

‘But you never forgot her?’

‘Of course not. How could I ever forget? My little Sandie. So beautiful, so small…’

‘She’s called Elizabeth now. Did you know that?’

Geraldine shook her head. ‘Her new parents were going to choose her name. That seemed only fair if they were going to look after her. But she’ll always be Sandie to me. I named her after a singer. One with bare feet!’ She smiled to herself as she remembered. ‘And this Jack, he’s her son? I have a grandson?’

‘Elizabeth has three children, Geri.

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