by Ruth Hay
Her father seemed to have run out of patience. As Theresa watched, he slipped around the barrier and peered through the crowd to find the rest of his family. Maria was easy to spot with her dark, shiny cap of hair and the elegant posture that no amount of travel fatigue could diminish. He sighed with relief and grabbed her as soon as she reached him, wrapping his arms around her slim frame until he had her in a bear hug so he could whisper in her ear, “My Maria, my darling! How I have missed you!”
Lucy slid past and pulled forward her wheeled case with the package of paintings strapped to the extended handles. Her turn with her father would come later.
Theresa spotted her sister in the crowd and had to look again to be sure. What had happened to Lucy? She looked different, somehow. Theresa began to examine her sister in detail, attempting to zero in on what made the difference.
Same long dark hair swinging around her face. Very sharp new leather jacket over her jeans, but that wasn’t it. New boots? No, not that either.
Lucy waved and smiled at Theresa. Wow! She smiled at me. That’s different! Then Theresa put all the parts together and made a whole. Lucy’s fingernails were pale instead of the black polish she had favoured for months. Her entire face seemed brighter and lighter and Theresa did not believe a new, less-mask-like make-up could be the only cause. She just looked more relaxed, more mature, more present in some strange way. It seemed like her nuisance of a little sister had changed.
Maybe this new Lucy would be less selfish and more willing to be an active part of the family.
Theresa could certainly do with the support from a sister in the coming months. She decided to put aside her resentment and start this new phase off in the right way by smiling back and walking over to meet Lucy. Before she could say a word, however, Lucy started to talk at her usual rapid rate but with an enthusiastic voice that also sounded new to Theresa.
“Hi there, sis! It’s great to see you! I’ve so much to tell you, Theresa! I have learned so much about everything and everyone, not least of all myself. You won’t believe the stuff I have done, and now I see you I realize how much I have missed you and the kids. Come over her and give me a hug!”
Maria eventually untangled herself from Paul’s embrace and relinquished her case to his strong arms. She hefted her carry-on bag but kept one arm free to grasp him around his waist. The two were one again and she had someone to share decisions and triumphs with.
“Well, was the trip worth it?” he asked. Maria looked up into his bright eyes and felt at home.
“Yes!” she answered, “worthwhile in so many ways, Paul. I have plans to tell you about. There will be changes from now on. My aim is to bring balance back to all of us.”
“That sounds extremely hopeful, my darling. You can tell me all about it at the hotel I have booked for us. I have news for you, too; a serious job offer for a change. We should be secure for the next year, at least.”
Perfect, thought Maria as she tightened her grip on Paul. A year will be enough time for us to become the family we should have been from the start. I will definitely spend more time with Theresa and the children and make sure she knows how much I value her. How lovely that Paul brought her here to meet us. And Paul has booked a hotel for us to rest up in. We’ll have time to spend with my parents and enjoy their surprise when Lucy presents the paintings. So many good things for us to look forward to. Oh, it’s so good to be home again!
She looked ahead and saw Theresa and Lucy with their heads together, chatting and laughing like the sisters and friends they should always be.
There were decisions to be made to create the future Maria wanted, but, for once she felt equipped and confident to make these decisions for herself and her whole family. It was as if she had been granted a reprieve; a step back from the edge that meant there was renewed hope for a better life.
She thought about how she and Lucy, Susan and Jake had travelled to Italy for very different reasons. Each one was returning home changed in some significant way. It seemed that friendship was the strong link that tied their fates together.
Life was good; family and friends were essential; work was satisfying; the future looked bright and Maria walked forward, together with her husband, to welcome it.
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THE END.
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The Prime Time Series continues in Sand in the Wind, book 4.
Afterword
Prime Time was my first series. I was hoping to find readers in the prime of their lives with time to read captivating stories, set in real-life locations and featuring women you would like to get to know.
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Anna Mason is that woman. She is at a crossroads in her life when she gets a chance to take a new direction and travel to Scotland with the encouragement of her group of faithful friends.
This series is now eight full books and Anna is still going strong with adventures that will transport you to places you might never expect. You will fall in love with Anna, as I have.
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Read Ruth’s other series, Seafarers, Seven Days, Home Sweet Home, Journey of a Lifetime and Starscopes at retailers everywhere.
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Also read Borderlines a stand-alone thriller.
www.ruthhay.com
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Also by Ruth Hay
Prime Time Series
Auld Acquaintance
Time Out of Mind
Now or Never
Sand in the Wind
With This Ring
The Seas Between Us
Return to Oban: Anna’s Next Chapter
Fiona of Glenmorie
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Seafarers Series
Sea Changes
Sea Tides
Gwen’s Gentleman
Gwen’s Choice
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Seven Days Series
Seven Days There
Seven Days Back
Seven Days Beyond
Seven Days Away
Seven Days Horizons
Seven Days Destinations
Borderlines (Standalone)
Borderlines
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Home Sweet Home Series
Harmony House
Fantasy House
Remedy House
Affinity House
Memory House
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Journey of a Lifetime Series
Auralie
Nadine
Mariette
Rosalind
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Starscopes Series
Starscopes: Winter
Starscopes: Spring
Starscopes: Summer
Starscopes: Fall