“Why does she want to talk to me? Why is she—” I took a deep breath. “Why didn’t she tell me she was coming?”
“Well, not to be that person, but you didn’t tell her you were coming here, did you?” Gabi grinned. “Aunt Elizabeth tried to call you but she couldn’t get through.”
I pulled my phone out of my pocket and showed her the black screen. “It’s dead. I have no battery.”
“Oh, of course,” Eva muttered. “If this isn’t every cutesy romcom movie we’ve ever watched.”
I ignored her. “So, what? She’s staying at Bentley Manor?”
Gabi nodded. “She was going to drive here, but apparently she was a bit frantic when she got there, and they thought it best for her to stay put.”
Frantic? Why was she frantic?
“Look, stay here,” Eva said, glancing at Gabi. “It’s getting late.”
“Yeah, follow me back and stay over. Dad will be happy to see you, and we can talk the garden plans,” Gabi agreed. “It’ll be dark soon, and you know she’ll be fine with your mum.”
“No.” I shook my head and stepped back. “No, I have to get back.”
“You can’t drive. You’re tired.”
“At least get something to eat before you leave,” Eva said. “There are free tables in the dining room, I’ll make sure you get something quickly.”
I shook my head again. “No, I don’t have time.”
“Then let me get you something to take with you. Please.”
I took a deep breath and jerked my head in the affirmative. “All right, yes. Thank you.”
“Sit there.” Gabi pushed me back into a chair to sit down. “Give us five minutes.”
Five minutes.
Yes.
All right.
I could wait for five minutes.
They left, and I rubbed my hand down my face. What was Adelaide doing at Bentley Manor? And what were the chances that at some point on the drive we’d have gone past one another?
God, I needed to leave. I needed to get back. I needed to get to her. I needed to—
Her.
I needed her.
I jiggled my leg nervously. What was taking them so long? It was taking forever. I needed to leave now. Five minutes ago, actually.
“Here.” Eva held out a bag for me. “We need to call your mum and let her know. Will you speak with her for a minute? Or Addy?”
I shook my head. “No, I have to speak to her in person. Thank you for this. I really appreciate this.”
Eva stared at me for a moment, then hugged me quickly. “Be safe. It’s getting dark, and the forecast says a storm is moving in.”
“I’ll be home before you know it, I promise.” I squeezed her arm and headed for the door. “Thank you!”
I ran out of the hotel and got in my car, backing out as soon as I could. The radio rumbled to life and the subsequent weather report that crackled through confirmed there was a huge summer storm coming over from Ireland, and I was driving right up into the edge of it as it moved across Wales.
I pulled over, set Google Maps to divert around the roadworks, and pulled back out again, and glanced at the glovebox as if I could see the little box my mother had slipped in there.
I was going to get my Adelaide.
And when I did, I wasn’t going to let her go again.
Ever.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR – ADELAIDE
Rain lashed against the windows, but it didn’t stop me from staring out of the living room at the driveway. Elizabeth had done as I’d asked and hidden me from Olympia, but she was now in bed, and Elizabeth had left me to my own devices.
According to my sister, Alex was on his way back here. He should have been here by now, but she’d mumbled something about diversions on the phone and I assumed that was what the delay was for.
I wondered what route he was taking. I didn’t pass any on my way here, but that didn’t matter in the grand scheme of things.
I just wanted him to get here safe.
Just because it was summer didn’t mean it wouldn’t rain torrentially.
“Dear, why don’t you sit on the sofa? It’ll be much more comfortable than the window,” Elizabeth said, standing in the doorway. “I know there are some roadworks on the route he usually takes, so that’s probably causing the delay. Besides, a watched pot never boils.”
I dropped my chin to my chest and sighed. “You’re right.”
“Or go to bed. Your room has clean sheets,” she said softly. “I’ll send him up when he’s home.”
“No, thank you.” I swung my legs off the window seat and stretched them out, and lights came streaming through the window.
Headlights.
He was here.
“See?” Elizabeth said, curving her lips to one side. “As soon as you stopped watching, he got here.”
I rushed through to the hallway where I pulled on my shoes. Wrapping my cardigan around me, I opened the door and ran outside just in time to see Alex climbing out of his car.