Chapter23
Lili glanced over her shoulder at Maisie, who was asleep on the back seat, as Hannah pulled the car into a parking space at the airport terminal drop-off zone. Lili’s flight was at six in the morning, which meant she’d had to get up early to make it to the airport two hours before departure. Before they’d left the house, Lili had gone upstairs to kiss Maisie goodbye and had woken her up. She’d had to tell her she was leaving, and Maisie had insisted on joining them. Still in her pyjamas, she’d pulled on her dressing gown and slippers and got into the car.
Lili smiled at her. Despite wanting to see Lili off, Maisie had fallen asleep on the way. Lili didn’t want to wake her. She glanced at Hannah, who looked troubled. Lili was convinced there was something her friend wasn’t telling her. ‘Hannah …’ she began in a hushed voice.
Hannah switched off the car engine and turned to her, avoiding her gaze. ‘Look, things are not what they seem. Kyle isn’t exactly on the up and up, and I’ve done something I shouldn’t have.’
Lili looked at her in surprise. Hannah had fallen on her feet – hadn’t she? ‘What’s going on, Hannah? You can tell me. I’m your best friend.’
‘Are you?’
‘What’s that supposed to mean?’
‘You’ve got your London friends.’
That was true, but Lili said, ‘So, why am I here with you and not them?’
Hannah fell silent.
‘Whatever it is—’
Hannah interrupted her. ‘Look, just promise me that if …’
Lili noticed she was choosing her words carefully.
‘If something happens, then you’ll take care of Maisie.’
‘Nothing’s going to happen, Hannah. Whatever is going on, we can figure it out.’
Hannah took Lili’s hands in hers. ‘Just promise me, Lili. She can’t end up in care. Whatever you think of me, please don’t let that happen.’
Lili heard Maisie shift in her seat behind them. They both glanced at the back seat. Maisie was still asleep.
Lili turned to face Hannah and realised she would not tell her what was going on. Lili sighed. ‘I wouldn’t let anybody take her away – you know that. Whatever happens, Hannah, you can count on me.’
Tears rolled down Hannah’s face. ‘Now, I wish you didn’t have to go.’ She looked at her watch.
So did Lili. Time was getting on and she had to move it if she didn’t want to miss her flight. Lili was about to get out of the car. ‘Do you want me to stay?’
Hannah hesitated before she replied. ‘No, go to Corfu. You need to find your family. It’s what you’ve always wanted.’
Lili looked at her. ‘That’s not true.’
Hannah managed a smile. ‘Like you said, we’ve known each other a long time. You’re always on at me about patching things up with my parents.’
‘Sorry about that.’
‘Don’t be. I know why, though. You might have kidded yourself over the years, saying the past doesn’t matter, quoting that silly mantra –only ever look back to see how far you’ve come– but you didn’t fool me. And now you can’t fool yourself. It’s important to know where you’re from, Lili, and find your long-lost relations. I bet there are some grandparents out there somewhere who would love to get to meet their amazing granddaughter – if only they had the chance.’
‘Oh, I don’t know about that.’ Lili was thinking about what Connie had told her. Apparently, Lili’s mother had been estranged from her parents.
‘I do,’ quipped Hannah. ‘I know all about it. You’ve reminded me countless times. I saw the way Ray looked at Maisie when he found out she was his granddaughter – it was love, pure and simple.’
‘I remember how much your grandparents idolised you, Hannah.’
Hannah had tears in her eyes at the mention of her beloved grandparents.
Lili said quietly, ‘A child deserves to know their grandparents –bothsides – otherwise they miss out on so much.’