The Girl on the Cliff (44 page)

Matt was surprised at his mother’s empathy. ‘Yeah, spot on, Mom.’

‘Don’t think I don’t understand, Matt, because I do. Grania was your walk on the wild side and I admired you for breaking out. She was your passion. She brought the world alive for you.’

‘Yep, she did.’ Matt swallowed hard. He knew he was close to tears. ‘And it’s only since she’s been gone that I realise how much I loved her … 
do
love her.’

‘I loved someone once … before your father. My parents didn’t think he was suitable – he was a musician. I broke it off, sent him away …’

‘I didn’t know.’ Matt was taken aback by his mom’s revelation. ‘Do you regret it?’

‘What’s the point of regrets?’ Elaine asked bitterly. ‘I did what I thought was the right thing to keep everyone happy. But there’s never a day goes past when I don’t think of him, wonder where he is …’ Her voice trailed off, then she checked herself. ‘Sorry, Matt, this isn’t for you to hear. And your pop and I have always had a good life together. And I got you. So, no, I don’t regret anything.’

‘The difference is, I didn’t send Grania away.’

‘No. And now she’s married,’ said Elaine.

‘That’s what her mom said when I called her up.’

‘Well, I’m real surprised at that. I know she felt uncomfortable in our world, Matt, probably thought we didn’t like her. But I have such respect for her and her talent.
And,’ Elaine underlined, ‘I knew she loved my boy. For that, I could forgive her anything.’

‘Well, Mom, Grania’s gone. And she’s not coming back anytime soon. I gotta get on with my life. The question is, do I continue to try and make a go of it with Charley?’

‘It’s a tough call. Charley’s beautiful, bright and from your world. And, besides, it’s complicated by the baby. You are sure she’s pregnant?’ Elaine asked again.

‘Yes, Mom!’

‘Well,’ Elaine sighed, ‘looks like you’ve got yourself a done deal. And I know you were heartbroken over losing the child with Grania. Although I …’

‘What, Mom?’

‘Nothing, nothing,’ Elaine answered quickly. ‘If everything is as you say, I don’t think you have much choice.’

‘No,’ Matt agreed morosely, ‘seems like I don’t. And I gotta pay for the lifestyle. She’s already mentioned me going into Dad’s business. An Uptown Girl like Charley won’t be satisfied with a psychology lecturer’s income.’

‘You know it’s your father’s dream for you to take over. But, Matt, if it’s not what you want –’

‘Mom,
nothing
is what I “want” just now.’ Matt put his knife and fork together and looked at his watch. ‘I’d better be getting back. Charley will be wondering where I am.’ He raised his eyebrows.

‘I wish there was something more I could say, but if Grania is married …’

‘Somehow, and I don’t even know how, I managed to screw it up.’

‘You know, honey, I do understand. You will grow to
love Charley. I sure had to learn to love your dad,’ Elaine offered with a wry smile.

‘I’m sure you’re right,’ he agreed with a sigh. ‘Anyway, thanks for lunch and listening. Bye, Mom.’

Elaine watched her son as he pulled his car out of the drive. She shut the door and walked back to the terrace. Breaking the habit of a lifetime, she did not immediately clear the plates from the table. Instead, she sat down and began to process what her son had told her.

Half an hour later, Elaine had come to the conclusion that she had a choice to make: she could toe the party line and keep quiet about what she knew. Which would not only preserve the status quo, but also her own selfish wish for closeness in terms of proximity to her son and forthcoming grandchild. There wasn’t a doubt in Elaine’s mind that Charley would drag Matt back to Greenwich when the baby was born. Or she could investigate her suspicions further …

Elaine heard her husband’s jeep pull up in their drive.

And decided to sleep on it.

The occupants of the farm were on red alert for signs of emotional stress from Aurora. She was certainly quieter than usual, her normal
joie de vivre
muted.

‘Well, that surely is to be expected,’ commented John to Kathleen one evening.

Kathleen had asked her if she wished to take some time off school, but Aurora had been adamant she wanted to go.

‘Daddy always wanted me to concentrate on my lessons, and besides, Emily might find a new best friend if I’m not there,’ Aurora had replied.

‘I take my hat off to that small one,’ Kathleen said as she arrived back in the kitchen having kissed Aurora goodnight. ‘I can only hope she’s not too good to be true now and heading for a crash later.’

‘Yes,’ agreed Grania, having just returned from her studio. ‘There’s no sign of it so far – it’s almost as if she was prepared.’

‘I’d agree there.’ Kathleen glanced at her daughter. ‘But I’ve always said she’s been here before. There’s an old soul inside her. She understands things that maybe we don’t. There’s sausages for you keeping warm in the range.’

‘Thanks, Mam, I lost track of time.’

‘What is it you’re doing in that studio of yours?’ asked Kathleen.

‘What I always do,’ said Grania, in a tone that brokered no further discussion. She’d never been one for discussing her work until it was finished. And this project was so close to her heart – as if she had poured her soul into the clay itself – she couldn’t release it just yet. ‘Hans is arriving tomorrow.’

‘Is he now?’ Kathleen withdrew the sausages and mash from the range and placed the plate in front of Grania.

‘He’s sleeping up at Dunworley House. I prepared a bedroom there for him today.’

‘Right.’ Kathleen sat down next to Grania and watched her as she picked her food. ‘And how are you feeling, pet?’

‘I’m all right. A little tired, but I’ve been working hard.’ Grania shook her head. ‘I think I’ve left it too late to eat.’ She put her knife and fork together.

‘Not like you to be off your food.’

Grania stood up and put her plate in the sink. ‘I’ll be off to bed now, Mam.’

‘Sleep well.’

‘Thanks, Mam.’

‘And there was me thinking it was Aurora that would be affected by all this. It seems she’s taken it better than our daughter,’ commented Kathleen.

‘Well now,’ John reached for the light switch as his wife settled herself down next to him for the night. ‘I’d say Aurora’s lost a daddy, but found a life, whereas Grania’s lost her life.’

In the dark, Kathleen raised an eyebrow at her husband’s profundity. ‘I’m worried about her, John. This is the time of her life, right now. The time when she should
be in her prime, at her peak. And she’s lost, John, she really is.’

‘Give her some time, pet. she’s been through a lot, through no fault of her own, I’d say.’

‘What did I tell you? It’s the curse of that Lisle family. I –’

‘Enough, Kathleen. You can’t be blaming others. Grania did what she did with her own free will. Night, pet.’

Kathleen said no more – she knew better than to continue a conversation her husband did not wish to be part of. But she lay in the dark, sleep eluding her, worrying for her precious daughter.

Grania felt oddly relieved and comforted to see the sturdy figure of Hans Schneider pulling his car into the courtyard of Dunworley House. Wiping her clay-spattered hands on her apron, she opened the door of her studio and went outside to greet him.

‘How are you, Grania?’ He kissed her on both cheeks.

The shared trauma of watching Alexander die had brought them close and negated a need for formality between solicitor and client.

‘I’m all right, thanks, Hans. Did you have a good journey?’

‘Yes.’ Hans turned round to survey Dunworley House. ‘It looks as if it is in need of a new roof.’

‘It probably is. Shall we go inside?’

An hour later, they were eating a lunch of fresh oysters that Grania had bought from the quayside at Ring earlier that morning. Grania had also plundered the wine cellar, asking for advice from Hans on which one she should open.

‘So, how is Aurora?’ Hans asked.

‘Amazing,’ replied Grania. ‘Perhaps too amazing, but we shall see. Sadly,’ Grania sighed, ‘losing someone she loves isn’t a new experience for her. And her life is so busy; between school, her ballet lessons and living on the farm, luckily she doesn’t have a lot of time to brood.’

‘And you?’ asked Hans.

‘To be honest, I’m still struggling to get those last few days at the hospital out of my head.’

‘Yes. I know what you mean. It was … difficult. I have brought the ashes, by the way.’

‘Right,’ Grania acknowledged soberly. ‘Another oyster?’

They ate in silence for a while, until Grania said, ‘Should I ask Aurora if she wants to help me spread them on Lily’s grave?’

‘Will it disturb her, do you think?’

‘I don’t know, but she was very upset she didn’t have a chance to say goodbye to her daddy in person. Perhaps it might help. Having said that, seeing him reduced to a few grains of ash may not be the right thing to do.’

‘Well, from what you have told me, you have handled the situation very well so far. Perhaps you should again trust your instincts.’

‘Thank you, Hans. It’s actually Aurora who’s handled it well. And my parents and my brother have been wonderful. They adore her.’

‘In some ways, even though it is a tragedy Alexander and Lily have both gone, perhaps the life Aurora is leading now, the stability she has within a normal family, is healthy for her,’ Hans mused. ‘She has had a very difficult childhood.’

‘Yes. And listening to the stories of the Lisle history, it
seems her mother didn’t fare much better either. Perhaps it’s this house –’ Grania shuddered suddenly. ‘It has a very strange atmosphere.’

‘I am sure that once the renovation is completed, it will help. Has Aurora said if she wishes to live here?’ asked Hans. ‘Or does she prefer to stay at the farm with you?’

‘At present, wild horses couldn’t drag her away from her precious animals,’ Grania smiled. ‘But she may change her mind.’

‘In the week I am here, I intend to make enquiries to find a surveyor who can tell me what is needed structurally,’ said Hans. ‘Perhaps he may be able to suggest a reliable firm of builders to carry out the work the house needs. All I would ask is that when it comes to choosing new paint colours for the walls, I may borrow your artist’s eye.’ Hans smiled.

‘Of course,’ Grania agreed.

‘Whether or not Aurora wishes to keep the house when she is older, at least it will be in a good state of repair for her to sell it,’ Hans continued. ‘I will also travel to Cork city to talk to my Irish contact and see how far we have got with the adoption process. But neither he nor I are expecting any problems. Alexander has been as efficient in death as in life. Which, as he knew it would be, is imperative under the circumstances. His sister has already made contact with me, wishing to know the contents of Alexander’s will.’ Hans gave a grim smile. ‘As I have said to you before, when there is a death, the vultures descend. And what of you, Grania?’ He studied her. ‘Have you had time yet to think of your future?’

‘No,’ she replied shortly. ‘I’m simply focusing on
making sure Aurora is all right, and doing some work. It’s helped.’

‘I find work is always a balm for the soul. And I would love to see some of your sculptures, Grania. Alexander told me you were exceptionally talented.’

‘He was very kind …’ Grania blushed. ‘I feel as though the only thing left to me after the past few months
is
my work. I’ll show you later. And I was thinking that I might bring Aurora up to see you. It’s Saturday tomorrow, so she has no school.’

‘I would be delighted to see her. It has been at least a couple of years since I did.’

Grania cleared the plates and put them in the sink. ‘Will you be all right up here at the house alone?’

‘Of course,’ Hans smiled. ‘Why do you ask?’

‘No reason. If you need anything, just call me. There’s milk in the fridge, bread, bacon and eggs for breakfast.’

‘Thank you, Grania. I look forward to seeing you and Aurora up here tomorrow.’

‘Goodbye, Hans,’ Grania said as she left the house.

‘Goodbye,’ he called in reply. Hans poured himself another glass of wine and thought how sad it was that Alexander had been unable to enjoy for longer the lovely woman he had taken as his wife.

Grania drove Aurora up to Dunworley House the following morning.

‘Uncle Hans!’ Aurora threw herself into his arms. ‘I haven’t seen you for years! Where have you been?’

‘Where I always am, Aurora,’ Hans grinned, ‘working hard in Switzerland.’

‘Why do men spend their whole life working?’ asked Aurora. ‘No wonder they get sick.’

‘I think,’ said Hans, his eyes twinkling over Aurora’s head at Grania, ‘you have a very good point,
liebchen
.’

‘I hope you’re going to take a holiday today, Uncle Hans, so I can show you my animals. Maisie’s new puppies are only two days old. They haven’t even opened their eyes yet.’

‘I think that sounds like a very good idea,’ interjected Grania. ‘Aurora, why don’t you take Hans off to the farm while I do some work? Then come up here at lunchtime and maybe we can go to the beach for a picnic?’

‘Grania,’ Aurora pouted, ‘now it’s
you
that’s working! All right, I’ll look after Uncle Hans, and come up and collect you later.’

When they had left to walk down the hill to the farm, Grania went into her studio. She glanced through her window at Aurora, dancing by Hans’s side. She looked at the sculpture in front of her and only hoped she had captured Aurora’s ethereal, effortless grace.

The morning flew by and all too soon there was a knock on her door.

‘Can we come in? I’ve shown Uncle Hans everything and I’m starving!’ Aurora burst into the studio and put her arms around Grania’s shoulders, planting a kiss on her cheek as she sat at her bench. Her eyes fell on the sculptures on the table in front of Grania. She looked and then looked again.

‘Is that me?’

Grania hadn’t wanted to show Aurora the figures until they were finished. ‘Yes.’

‘Uncle Hans, come and see! Grania’s turned me into a statue!’

Hans walked towards the bench and stared at the sculptures.