The Daughter's Promise (ARC) by Sarah Clutton

Author:Sarah Clutton [Clutton, Sarah]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781838880316
Publisher: Bookouture
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Sixteen

Willa

There was a familiar electronic whelp sound as the FaceTime link brought up Hamish’s face on Willa’s laptop. She felt longing, sadness and pleasure all mixed together.

‘Hello, sweetie.’

‘Yo, Mamma. ’Sup?’

‘What on earth are you saying? Please don’t tell me you’ve turned into a rapper.’

Hamish put his head to one side, bent his wrist and flicked his fingers in a strange motion. ‘It all bomb diggity here, lady.’ He did a remarkably good American accent.

Willa must have looked shocked, because Hamish burst out laughing. ‘Chill, Mum. I’m just playing with you. What’s going on down under? Do I need to come over there and get you?’

‘No. Don’t be silly. I miss you, though.’

‘We miss you too. Dad’s cooking is killing me. I think he was sick of steak and chips, so we’ve had two nights of bacon omelette. Don’t think I can do three in a row.’

‘It’s only been two weeks, Hame. I’ll be back soon. Tell him to pick up a lasagne from the Ville.’ Willa felt a niggle of guilt. They needed her there. And the need for them to be together for the anniversary of Esme’s death was pricking at her like a thorn in her shoe. It was next week. It would be weighing on Hugo and Hamish too.

She asked about Hamish’s rowing and what was happening at school and what the weather was like. Hugo had already left for work. Hamish turned away from his laptop to put his bowl in the sink, then began stacking his books. He needed to get going, so Willa ended the call.

She looked around at the mountain of cardboard on all sides of her, and sighed. For the whole morning and part of the afternoon, she had successfully avoided the boxes. After chatting to Indigo in the coffee shop this morning, she had decided to drive to the small coastal town of Stanley an hour away and walk up an intriguing rectangular mountain called the Nut. It was like a mini version of Uluru. There was a chairlift down from the summit that gave her a wonderful view over the ocean and the heritage cottages that dotted the waterfront of the charming fishing village. Later, she had strolled into a delightful craft shop, where she had purchased a knitted beanie for Hugo, then she had found a pretty café and sipped tea while watching the tourists wandering past.

But now the sightseeing was over and she was back in The Old Chapel, surrounded by Lillian’s boxes. So far all she had discovered were some old books and art paraphernalia. Annabelle had told her that plenty had already gone to charity. When Lillian knew the end was inevitable and she still had some energy, she had begun decluttering, and Sylvia had been tasked with taking carloads of junk to the charity shop. According to Sylvia, Lillian had insisted on packing and taping up some of the remaining boxes herself.

In the rear corner of the little mezzanine level, Willa started untaping another box. When she removed the lid and saw old photograph albums, she felt an uneasy anticipation.

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