Yesterday's Sun (33 page)

“Who died and made you queen?” retorted Sam.

“Nobody yet,” answered Holly and everyone laughed except Jocelyn.

“Come on, your majesty, let’s get to work.” It was Tom’s turn to try to pull Holly away. “And don’t you go anywhere. I won’t be long,” he added, winking at Jocelyn.

Up onstage, in front of the sculpture that took pride of place in the hall, Tom entertained the crowd with plenty of jokes at Holly’s expense. It was only when it came to the dedication of the sculpture that Tom’s tone became serious. “I know Holly won’t like me saying this, but twelve months ago, she didn’t believe in motherhood, not for her anyway. She didn’t think she could ever be a mother and if I’m honest, I started to doubt it myself.”

Tom looked cautiously at Holly, unsure if she would be comfortable with his public confessions. Holly smiled tentatively at him. She would be the first to agree that it had indeed been a difficult journey.

“I thought I was the one who had been on an amazing voyage of discovery, off traveling the globe, but I look at the sculpture behind me and I can see the incredible journey that she’s traveled. She thought she could never experience a mother’s love, but the love is there, carved into stone for the whole world to see. I can’t begin to tell you how proud I am of her and I can’t wait for the day that the image she created in stone becomes real flesh and blood.”

Tom glanced at Holly. The last twelve months had also taught her how to cry and she was now crying like a baby. She was dragged toward the microphone and sniffed her way through all the thank-yous. She thanked everyone for their love, support, and patience, especially Tom, especially his parents, especially Jocelyn, and even Billy, too. The list just continued until she had to thank the crowd, too—mostly for their patience. Despite her reservations at giving a speech, Holly was starting to feel comfortable in front of the microphone, which Tom was now regretting handing over to her.

“I never could have imagined what a life-changing experience moving to the country would be. In a very short period of time, I’ve come to see Fincross as my home, the place where I’ve been able to put down roots that I hope will continue to thrive for generations to come. I’m just sorry I never had a chance to see Hardmonton Hall in all its glory. Now I hope you won’t think of me as an interfering busybody, but I was hoping that, perhaps, the money raised tonight could go toward the restoration of the gardens at the Hall. It’s such an amazing site. It would be a shame to lose it to the past forever.”

Holly’s gaze settled on Jocelyn, who was looking at her quizzically. This was yet another of Holly’s intended legacies, one that would pay tribute to Edward and Isabella Hardmonton in particular. The world may never know what sacrifices they had made, but Holly knew only too well. There was also another reason for suggesting the plan. The project would help Jocelyn look to the future instead of dwelling in the past, and it would satisfy her love for gardening far better than a single window box in her tiny flat.

Having kept her audience captive long enough, and to relieved sighs all around, Holly declared the buffet open but warned people not to disappear. There were still plenty of fund-raising activities on offer. She expected not only for everyone to dig deep but to dance the night away into the wee hours of the morning.

Before they joined the throng, Holly turned to Tom one last time. “Thank you.”

“I think you’ve already said that,” laughed Tom. “And in case I haven’t said it enough, thank you, Holly. Thank you for making me the happiest, luckiest man alive.”

Holly wrapped her arm around Tom’s waist and laid her head on his shoulder so he wouldn’t see the look of sadness in her eyes.

“Hey, there’s Billy,” Tom said excitedly.

“The second love of your life. It’s a wonder I can trust you two alone with each other.”

“You? Trust me?” gasped Tom loudly as they stopped in front of Billy. “You’re the one who kept the poor man hostage in your studio for hours.”

“Hello, Mrs. C., Mr. C.,” Billy said with an excitement that rivaled only Tom’s as the two men shook hands. “I’d like to introduce you to my wife, Edna. Edna this is Holly and Tom,” he stumbled.

The woman standing next to Billy was very matronly, with gray hair tied back tightly in a bun and a round face that was matched equally by her round body. She looked like she could easily keep Billy in check with a single withering look, but her smile to Tom and Holly was open and welcoming.

“Oh, how lovely to meet you both at last! I’ve heard so much about you from Billy, and of course, I’ve seen you on TV,” she said to Tom.

“I won’t be on TV for much longer, not on the news anyway. I’ve given my notice,” explained Tom with a palpable sense of relief.

“Does this mean you’ll be putting the landscaping plans on hold?” Billy asked.

“Not a chance,” smiled Tom. “I’ll be working for myself and I’ve already got a couple of projects lined up.”

Billy raised an eyebrow in suspicion. “I hope you won’t be leaving your wife all on her own again,” he warned.

“No, of course I won’t. I’ll be staying put, don’t you worry, and I’ll still have time to help sort out the plans for the garden. Speaking of which, can I have a quick word about next week?” Tom asked.

“Do you mind, love?” Billy asked sheepishly, looking to Edna for approval.

“Just be quick about it,” she warned.

Once they were out of earshot, Holly couldn’t help but laugh. “I can see who wears the trousers in your house, and there was Billy giving the impression that he was master of all he surveyed.”

Edna joined in the laughter. “You have to take a firm hand with him or goodness knows what he’d try to get away with. Actually, I’m glad I’ve caught you on your own,” Edna confessed. “Billy is going to insist on decorating the nursery for you. He wants to do it as a thank-you for all the work you’ve put his way.”

“Really? How sweet of him,” gasped Holly, genuinely touched by Billy’s generosity.

“Is it all right with you, though?” asked Edna. “It’s just that he has a real soft spot for the gatehouse and its inhabitants and he’d be there all the time if you let him. Please let me know if you think he’s becoming a pest and I’ll put him off.”

“Billy? A pest?” Holly asked. She may have thought he was a nuisance at one time, but she knew Billy better now. “He’s kept a watchful eye over me while Tom was away and I really appreciate it.”

“We never had kids of our own and, I swear, he’d adopt you and Tom if he could.”

“Ah, but is he ready to be a granddad?” asked Holly, patting her stomach. The two women collapsed into a fit of giggles and they were still laughing when the men rejoined them. Holly insisted that Billy and Edna join the rest of their group so she could spend the remainder of the evening with her growing family.

The night was a huge success and Holly had never felt so alive. She was only sorry that Jocelyn had left not long after the buffet had been devoured and cleared away. She would be the last one to admit it, but the preparations for the evening had totally wiped her out, so Holly didn’t try to persuade her to stay.

Tom and Holly were the last to leave and although Jack and Diane had offered them a lift, they were determined to make the night last as long as possible and said they would walk home. The full moon looked over their shoulders and pointed the way home as they passed the village green. Hundreds of daffodils bobbed their heads approvingly in the soft breeze and Holly allowed herself a rare moment to feel sad and just a little scared about what she was leaving behind.

“I can’t go on anymore,” complained Tom and he sat down on the grass. “I’ve danced myself out and my feet are killing me.”

“Excuse me, I’m the pregnant one. I’m supposed to be the one with sore feet.”

Tom pulled her down onto the grass with him. “It must be sympathy pains,” he concluded.

“The only sympathy pains you have are with Sam,” laughed Holly.

“Well, someone had to dance with him. He was mortified when he realized all the villagers weren’t raving line dancers.”

“Hmm, you did have some good moves on the dance floor.”

Despite Sam’s strange view of what village life was like, he was a hit with the locals and Holly suspected that he would be returning soon. He was staying over at one of the pubs and had been deep in conversation with the landlord when she had last seen him.

Tom and Holly both lay back on the grass and looked up into the night’s sky.

“Just look at that moon. You never see a moon that bright in London.”

“It’s not everything it appears to be,” answered Holly. “It’s a reflection of light from the sun, that’s all. It doesn’t hold any power of its own.”

“Tell that to the werewolves and lunatics,” slurred Tom lazily.

“I think it made me crazy for a while, but then I realized my fate lay in my own hands.”

Tom frowned at her. “You been drinking, too?”

“No,” Holly said with a rueful smile. “But you certainly have.”

“I love you, Mrs. Corrigan,” he whispered.

Holly was reminded of a grief-stricken Tom who believed he hadn’t told her often enough that he loved her. “I know you love me. Even when you don’t say it, I know you love me. Don’t ever think you don’t tell me enough, because you do. Every time you look at me, or speak to me, or think of me, I know you love me. Remember that.”

Tom grinned at her. She hoped he would remember through his drunken haze, but she couldn’t take away all of the pain or all of the guilt that lay ahead for Tom. He would have to face the grief of her loss one day soon and she couldn’t prevent that. All she could do was make sure that he had enough good memories to fill the void she knew she would be leaving in his life.

Holly bit her lip as she tried to stifle a sob. She didn’t want to leave Tom. She wanted to stay with him forever and she wanted to see Libby grow up. Holding back the tears, she took a deep breath and felt a faint fluttering in her stomach. She held her breath and her body tensed. It was like the gentle fluttering of a butterfly’s wings.

Tom sensed something wrong and leaned over to her. “Are you all right?” he asked, sounding more sober than he had all night.

“I think I just felt the baby move,” she gasped.

Tom put his hand on Holly’s stomach and she guided his fingers to where she had felt Libby move inside her for the very first time.

“I can’t feel anything,” Tom said glumly.

“You’ve got the rest of your life to get to know her; be patient.” Tom was already getting used to Holly referring to the baby as a girl but he was still holding out for a boy.

Tom leaned over and gently put his head on Holly’s stomach. “This is it,” he said.

“This is what?”

“This is the moment you said to look out for. The moment when I can look at my life and think, ‘This is enough. I know exactly what I have and I’m happy.’ I’m complete and I’m happy.”

Holly’s heart skipped a beat and a tear trickled down her face. “Yes, this is it,” she agreed. She looked up at the moon and realized she didn’t have to wish for anything else. She had her husband and she had Libby growing inside her and she would have both of them with her until the day she died.

EPILOGUE

T
he twenty-ninth of September, 2010, was a good day to die. The morning sky was crystal clear, if not a little on the watery side of blue. A small congregation had gathered at the front of the gatehouse, ready to wish the prospective parents well. Billy and his men had been working on the garden in stages and had reappeared that week to complete their work.

“With a little luck, we’ll have the job finished before you come out of hospital,” Billy told Holly.

“Don’t go wishing a long labor on her,” joked Tom. He was beaming with excitement, a stark contrast to Holly, who was carrying a heavier burden than just her unborn child.

“You’ll be all right,” soothed Jocelyn, giving Holly a motherly hug.

“I’m scared,” Holly told her in a whisper so that no one else could hear. “I’m not ready to leave them.”

“It’ll be all right,” Jocelyn insisted and Holly didn’t argue, although her eyes told Jocelyn she knew this to be a lie.

Jocelyn hadn’t needed the urgent call from Tom to tell her Holly was in labor. She already knew the date Libby would arrive and had been preparing for it with as much detailed planning as Holly herself.

Holly froze in gasping pain as another contraction rippled across her stomach.

“Enough chatting, we need to get you to hospital,” Tom insisted, pulling Holly away from the well-wishers toward the car.

“I love you like the mum I never had,” Holly told Jocelyn, panic rising in her voice. “I can’t even begin to thank you for everything you’ve done and everything you’re going to do. I don’t know how I would have got through this without you.”

“Oh, Holly, I love you, too. And I’m just glad you gave me the chance to be a proper mum again.” Both women were on the verge of tears, neither wanting to be the first one to break down.

“Hey, you two, you’d think you were never going to see each other again. Will you get moving?” urged Tom.

Holly kept looking back as she waddled down the driveway before easing herself into the car. Jocelyn watched on and it wasn’t until the car pulled out of the drive and out of sight that she allowed the tears to fall, but even then, only for the briefest of moments. There was too much to be done.