The Stone In the Road by Frances Dall'Alba

Author:Frances Dall'Alba
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Frances Dall'Alba

“Mummy, birdie wid Padwick.”

Kelly smiled at Gemma. The cute way she spoke always touched a special spot within, but it surprised her that with Patrick having been gone for nearly two weeks and Gemma not having much to do with him, she still mentioned his name at least once a day. The daily visit to the birds’ nest was the only thing Patrick had done with Gemma and in her toddler brain she always associated it with him.

“Mummy will take you. Do you want to go now?”

Gemma frowned, probably the first one she’d directed at Kelly.

Kelly crouched down. “What’s wrong, honey?”

“Padwick here.” She pointed to her shoulders and it clicked for Kelly.

She took Gemma’s cute, chubby fingers in her own and kissed them. “Mummy is strong. I’ll lift you up. Is that a good idea?”

Gemma showed Kelly the signs of a smile.

With relief, Kelly tugged her hand and they walked towards the edge of the forest. Gemma, happy again, prattled about all things important to an eighteen-month-old. It reminded Kelly again of how perfect it would be to raise her daughter here at the castle. She’d had further chats with her father and shared her grandmother’s diaries. The stories flowed endlessly from her father, which only added to the happy and content images in Kelly’s head of castle life in the sixties.

Still, the constant pull in her chest remained. If only she could keep the property and work her fingers to the bone. Her parents had money but nowhere near enough. They’d offered to help her renovate the castle if it didn’t sell soon, but Kelly had refused their generous offer. They’d worked hard for their money over the years and it was time for them to enjoy it. Without a large injection of money, though, the castle would always be a sinking pit when it came to the amount needed to maintain it.

Reaching the edge of the forest, Kelly noticed with dismay that the birds had flown the coop. Drat. Now how do I explain?

“Mummy, up. Up, peese.”

Reluctantly, she hoisted Gemma on her hips and stepped closer. I better make this good. “Look, Gemma, the birdies have gone away.”

“Away?” She sucked on her thumb, not comprehending at all. “Where, Mummy?”

“They flew up into the sky.” Kelly looked up and so did Gemma.

“Can’t see, Mummy.”

“That’s because they have to practise how to fly lots and lots. Just like swimming. You have to practice lots and lots.” Kelly reached in and placed a kiss on her button nose, hoping the explanation was enough. “How would you like something to eat? Are you hungry?”

Gemma nodded eagerly and Kelly turned for the castle before Gemma could ask more questions about the birds or mentioned Patrick again. That always hurt.

As she neared the kitchen door, she spotted Mr Blundell’s car. Maybe he had news on the possible sale. She hadn’t heard anything further since his last visit and a small part of her rejoiced that she could still call the castle home … for now.

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