The Butterfly Room by Lucinda Riley

Author:Lucinda Riley [Riley, Lucinda]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Pan Macmillan

Mansion House

Bodmin Moor, Cornwall

June 1955

‘Now, on the auspicious occasion of her eighteenth birthday, I would like to say a few words about my granddaughter, Posy. I can honestly say I could not be prouder of her. And I know I speak for her father . . . and of course her mother, too.’

I saw tears twinkling in Granny’s eyes as she glanced at me next to her.

I’d found tears were the most infectious plague on the planet and soon enough there were some in my own eyes too.

‘As well as winning a coveted place at Cambridge University, and excelling in her final school exams, I also want to say that, despite the trials she has been through since she came to live with us here, Posy has never wallowed in self-indulgence. You will all know how she has always maintained a smile for anyone who greets her, been willing to help out in times of crisis, and provided a listening ear to those who needed it.’

‘’Ear, ’ear!’ I heard Katie call out from the crowd gathered around me in the garden. People chuckled at her probably accidental play on words.

‘So let us all wish her well as she embarks on adulthood and her next great challenge. To Posy!’

‘To Posy!’ everyone chorused as they lifted their glasses of fizz. I did too, unsure whether I was actually meant to toast myself, but wanting to take a sip anyway. It was awfully hot today.

After that, lots of the villagers came up to me to give me their own personal congratulations, and then we ate the fine spread Daisy had put on before the sandwiches went stale in the heat.

Later that night, when everyone had left, I opened the presents that had piled up on the table. Most of them were homemade and I now had enough initialled handkerchiefs to keep me going throughout my three years at Cambridge and probably into retirement. Yet I knew that each one had been sewn with love and my heart swelled at the kindness this village had shown me. It went some way to filling the empty void caused by the disappointment that Maman had not made an appearance at my party. Even though it had always been highly unlikely she would, the part of me that was still a little girl had thought that perhaps Granny had been keeping her arrival a secret, even though she had gently told me a month ago Maman could not attend.

‘They are on an extended honeymoon, darling girl. She said she was dreadfully disappointed not to be here, but she sent you this.’

The envelope was still sitting on the present table, along with Granny’s card, which was attached to a gift wrapped in shiny silver paper. Its size and shape resembled a slim volume and I’d already guessed it was a book.

‘Will you open your mother’s card now?’ Granny reached for it and handed it to me.

Part of me wanted to tear it up, or set fire to it

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