Snow fell in great squalling tufts as Jeremiah drove the Armavan into the centre of New City where they would meet Isabella’s mum at the Clarion Hotel.
‘Not that it matters what you look like,’ Raffy reminded her.
‘It’s true,’ Bea said. ‘The second you meet, she’ll love you right down to your toes.’
‘Just like we do.’ Fly was invited too. Isabella wanted all her friends there.
‘You are pretty lovable,’ Jeremiah agreed.
‘How could anyone not love you?’ As soon as Griffin said this his cheeks turned bright red.
‘Oh, Griffman.’ Xavier held out his arms.
‘Don’t you dare.’ Griffin tried to move away but was trapped by his seatbelt and Xavier pulled him in for a hug.
‘Get off,’ he mumbled into Xavier’s jacket.
‘All right.’ Xavier let him go and Griffin smoothed down his hair. ‘But you’re just so cute.’
The others laughed and even though her stomach still churned, Isabella felt better.
Until they saw the hotel and her heart began beating out of time. ‘I feel sick.’
‘That will go away.’ Of all of them, Fly knew exactly how she felt. ‘And then you’ll feel amazing, because you have your family back.’ Her hand flew to her mouth. ‘I’m sorry it won’t be with your dad.’
‘You’re right.’ Isabella brushed Fly’s cheek. ‘It’ll be amazing.’
At the hotel, Jeremiah gave the keys to the valet and they stood by Isabella’s side. Porters bowed as they opened the doors, but she didn’t move.
‘We’re here for you,’ Bea said, sounding much older than nine.
‘Always,’ Raffy agreed.
Inside, the foyer was a luxurious display of gold-framed mirrors, twinkling chandeliers and rich velvet lounges. It bustled with guests who were fussed over by hotel staff wearing suits and holding out trays filled with cakes and sparkling drinks.
As they entered, Isabella’s shoe caught on a rug and she stumbled. Griffin and Xavier grabbed her hands. She was shaking. They’d never seen her like this before. She’d faced sea monsters and Sneddon and vicious thugs and she’d only ever been brave and determined.
Griffin offered a cheeky grin. ‘You just have to find your balance, remember?’
Her heart calmed. ‘Thank you.’
They were directed to a private room and told that Ms Charm would be down directly. It was cosy with plush lounges and a glowing fire, but none of it helped Isabella feel at ease.
She leapt from the lounge. ‘Maybe this is a mistake. Maybe we should go.’
Jeremiah took both her hands in his and fixed her with a steady gaze. ‘You’re going to be fine. I promise.’
‘Will I?’ Her voice shook.
‘I guarantee it.’
‘Isabella?’
She spun round to see a woman with long mousy curls and a flowing ice-blue dress, toying nervously with the tassels of a white scarf. There was something about her that made the room stop spinning and Isabella’s worries of not knowing her fall away. ‘Mum?’
‘My darling.’ The woman held out her arms. Isabella rushed into the perfumed folds of her dress.
Raffy held Bea’s hand and Fly snuggled closer to Griffin. Xavier did his best to blink away tears before anyone saw.
‘All these years and here you are.’ Isabella’s mum stepped back and cradled her daughter’s face. ‘I was so worried I wouldn’t recognise you but you’re even more perfect than I imagined.’
She noticed a young boy over Isabella’s shoulder. ‘Griffin? Is that you?’ She stepped towards him and lifted his chin. ‘You haven’t changed. I bet you’re still the same sweet boy you always were.’
‘He is,’ Bea said with a laugh.
‘It’s true,’ Raffy piped up.
‘The sweetest,’ added Fly.
‘I see you’ve brought your own cheer squad.’
‘This is Bea, Raffy and Fly,’ Isabella explained. ‘And Jeremiah, our guardian.’
‘It’s wonderful to meet you all. I …’ She began to cry. ‘I’m sorry.’ She pulled a hanky from her sleeve. ‘I promised myself I wouldn’t blubber.’
A waiter appeared with a trolley of cakes and a very large teapot.
‘Saved by the tea trolley.’ She dabbed her face. ‘Please, everyone, sit.’ The waiter laid the plates and cups on the table between them.
Isabella stared at the custard tarts and chocolate croissants. ‘You remembered?’
‘Of course. Our Saturday trip to the bakery was my favourite time of the week. We’d forget about schedules and schoolbags and lunches, which I was never very good at.’ She frowned before brightening. ‘There’s so much to talk about. I want to know everything.’
While plates were passed around and Jeremiah poured the honey tea, they stumbled over each other telling stories about Grimsdon. About their home and Griffin’s inventions and Xavier’s Aerotrope. When Isabella’s mum paled at the mention of a sea monster, they were careful about what else they told her, at least so soon after they’d met.
Bea sat forward, her chin cupped in her hands. ‘What was Isabella like when she was young?’
Isabella’s mum had a wistful look. ‘From the moment I first saw her, I knew she’d be strong. We learned soon after that she didn’t like following rules.’
Griffin snuck a sideways glance at Isabella. ‘We’ve noticed.’
‘And what was Griffin like?’ Fly asked.
‘Griffin was a serious young boy,’ she recalled with affection. ‘And he followed Isabella everywhere. I think partly to make sure she’d be okay.’
Bea giggled. ‘Nothing’s changed.’
‘That’s how they still are,’ Raffy said.
‘I’m glad to hear it.’ She took a sip of tea. ‘I’m looking forward to seeing your home.’
No one said a word. Jeremiah’s cup clanged against his saucer.
‘Is there a problem?’
‘There’s been a slight change …’ he began. ‘The children are temporarily …’
Griffin stepped in to help. ‘… staying with a friend.’
‘A friend?’ Her brow knitted in concern, before turning to Jeremiah. ‘Not your guardian?’
‘It’s not for long,’ Isabella said quickly. ‘Aleksander’s house is safe and –’
‘You weren’t safe before?’ She lowered her cup to the table.
‘We’re going home soon.’ Raffy had chocolate fondant on his cheeks. ‘Right, Jeremiah?’
‘Absolutely.’
‘I do sincerely hope so.’ Isabella’s mum curled her lip in disdain. ‘Well, it was lovely to meet you all, but I was hoping Isabella and I could spend the day getting to know each other again.’
‘Oh.’ Griffin glanced at Isabella to make sure this was okay and she nodded. He stood up and gathered his coat.
Jeremiah kissed Isabella on the head. ‘We’ll come back whenever you’re ready.’
‘That won’t be necessary.’ Isabella’s mum drew her daughter close. ‘I can arrange an Armacab. I don’t want to put you out, Mr Pain.’
As they left, Griffin looked back one last time, in case Isabella changed her mind and wanted him to stay, but they were already sitting in a close huddle. Even though the room was warm, he shivered, as if caught in a cold breeze. He closed the door without a sound.
Isabella’s mum reached into her pocket and took out three photographs. ‘These are for you.’
They were of her family. One at the beach, one on the day Isabella learned to ride a bike and another on her first day of school.
In all of them they were happy.
Like a family no one could ever break apart.
‘Why did you leave?’ Isabella asked quietly. ‘Was it because of me?’
‘Not at all!’ Her mother held her hands. ‘It had nothing to do with you. I was a young mum who didn’t know what I was doing and your father was a natural. You adored each other. I decided you were both better off without me.’
>
‘Did you miss us?’
‘Every day.’
‘Did you ever want to come back?’
‘I thought about it a lot.’
‘I kept hoping you would.’
‘I’m sorry it took me so long. I don’t expect to walk back into your life as if nothing happened. I know I have to earn your trust. The most important thing is for you to decide what happens. Okay?’
‘Okay,’ Isabella said, still finding it hard to believe she was really here.
‘Excellent.’ Her mum reached for her tea and settled back into the lounge. ‘Now, tell me everything. We have a lot of catching up to do.’
CHAPTER TWENTY
A Grand Celebration
Griffin heard voices downstairs. He’d been reading to Bea and Raffy who were curled up, sound asleep beside him. He laid the book on the table, inched his way out of bed and drew the covers over them both.
Once outside, he slowly pulled the door shut, only just stopping himself from screaming when he turned to see Xavier suddenly behind him.
‘She’s back.’
‘I can hear.’ Griffin breathed in deeply to steady his heart.
‘Can I go down with you?’ Xavier gazed at Griffin guiltily. ‘I think Isabella might be upset with me.’
‘What a surprise.’
‘I know.’ Xavier seemed genuinely shocked. ‘How could I upset anyone? She thinks I’m jealous of Aleksander.’
Griffin gave him a look of mock sympathy. ‘Outrageous.’
Isabella’s laugh floated up from the kitchen.
‘She sounds happy.’ A frown wrinkled Griffin’s forehead.
‘That’s not a good thing?’
‘Isabella’s mum left years ago without a word and hasn’t bothered with her since. I don’t want her being hurt again.’
‘You’re an old softy.’ Xavier wrapped his arm around Griffin’s shoulder. ‘Which makes you quite adorable.’
Griffin wriggled out of his hold. ‘And you’re quite annoying.’
‘But you love me, Griffman, I can tell.’
More laughter drifted up from below.
‘It’s natural she likes Aleksander,’ Griffin said. ‘Who wouldn’t?’
‘What? No way. You’re a million times better than Aleksander.’
‘You’re only saying that because you don’t like him.’
‘Maybe,’ Xavier admitted. ‘A bit. Mostly I mean it.’
‘But he’s so perfect and I’m …’ Griffin held out his puny arms ‘… not.’
‘Isabella is too smart to fall for someone like that.’
‘Someone good-looking and clever?’
‘You’re all that and more.’ Xavier jabbed him in the chest. ‘Come on, let’s see what all the fuss is about.’
In the kitchen, they found Isabella pacing and waving her arms, while Aleksander sat and listened, transfixed.
‘How was it?’ Griffin sat down.
Isabella struggled to find the right words. ‘It was amazing. Surreal.’ She laughed. ‘Seeing her again was everything I’d hoped it would be.’
Maxwell poured tea for Xavier and Griffin while Cora cut into a freshly baked cinnamon bun.
‘She used to be a mountain climbing guide but when the weather became too dangerous, she joined a rescue team in Switzerland.’
‘She sounds incredible,’ Aleksander said, awestruck. ‘But I’m not surprised, having met her daughter.’
‘A mountain climber?’ Something bothered Griffin about the story.
And Aleksander’s flattery.
‘And she gave me these.’ Isabella showed Griffin the photos. ‘We talked all day. It was like she’d never left.’
But she did leave, Griffin thought and bit into the bun to stop himself saying it out loud.
‘We’re going to have a special dinner here tomorrow night!’ Aleksander turned to Maxwell, who lurked in the background, wiping already clean benches. ‘Cora and Maxwell have offered to make a banquet so we can celebrate in style.’
‘Which will be our pleasure, Master Larsen.’ Cora’s tight smile reminded Griffin of a locked door.
Aleksander looked over the rim of his cup with a satisfied grin. ‘She came back. Just like you hoped.’
It seemed only now Isabella allowed herself to truly believe it. She sank into a chair with a kind of blissful exhaustion.
Ordinarily, seeing Isabella this happy would be enough for Griffin not to worry about anything. Isabella’s mum was back, something she’d wanted since she was a kid.
But how did Aleksander know this? Talking about their parents was something secret Griffin thought only he and Isabella shared.
He knew he should have been happy for her, but he couldn’t ignore a niggling feeling in his stomach warning him that whatever happened next, he needed to stay close.
The night of the feast, Isabella helped Bea and Raffy get ready. Bea had chosen her tiara and red satin gown and Raffy wore his best jumper with a superman cape slung from his shoulders.
As Isabella helped tie the cord on Raffy’s cape, he asked, ‘Do you think she’ll like us?’
‘She already does. Plus, I told her all about you and she can’t wait to get to know you better.’
‘Are you going to move to Switzerland?’
Isabella could hear the fear in his words. She looked him steadfastly in the eye. ‘I’m not going anywhere. Not without you.’
‘Really?’
Bea had been hovering in the background, listening to Isabella’s every word. ‘We wouldn’t blame you if you did. It’s natural you want to be with your mum. And we’ll be okay, won’t we, Raffy?’
‘We’ll be fine.’
Isabella could tell they’d rehearsed this speech, trying as hard as they could to look earnest and mean every word.
She leaned down and held Raffy’s shoulders. ‘But what would I do without you?’
‘So you’re not leaving?’ His eyes sparkled and his smile had an impish turn.
‘I’m not leaving.’ She pushed back his floppy fringe. ‘Especially not now we have Maxwell and Cora’s feast to enjoy!’
The doorbell rang.
Isabella jolted upright and smoothed down her already smooth dress.
The twins slipped their hands into hers. Bea threw back her red curls and took charge. ‘Ready, Ms Charm?’
Bea’s confident air made Isabella soften. ‘Ready.’
When they reached the foyer, Fly and Griffin stood on either side of a withdrawn Jeremiah, whose clothes hung from him in wrinkled waves. He’d brushed his hair and made an attempt to trim his beard, which stuck out in jagged bursts.
Xavier stood back with the air of a security guard, while he watched Aleksander welcome Isabella’s mum. ‘I’m Aleksander Larsen. It is an honour to meet you.’
Isabella’s mum stepped into the warmth of the foyer – she was impressed. ‘Thank you, Aleksander, and what a very fine home you have.’
Griffin couldn’t help notice that she seemed much more interested in the elegant surrounds than she was in them.
Her curls were swept back into a wispy ponytail and she wore a pink flowing dress and scarf, topped with a long white puffer jacket.
‘May I take your coat, Ms Charm?’ Maxwell stepped forward.
‘Why certainly.’ She wriggled out of her jacket with a look that said, I could get used to this. ‘And please, everyone, call me Lana.’
As if she suddenly remembered why she was here, she held out her arms for her daughter. Isabella dissolved into them. ‘It’s just wonderful to have my daughter with me again. And her friends,’ she added as an afterthought.
Griffin noticed she was nervous and skittish, as if she was desperate not to mess anything up.
Cora entered the foyer. ‘Dinner is served.’
On the way to the dining room, Isabella’s mum sidled up to Griffin and slipped her arm through his, holding him back from the others.
‘I wanted to say how happy I am that you and Isabella are s
till friends.’
‘We’ve tried to take care of each other.’
‘You were always so close.’ She gazed at him with a sugary sweet smile. ‘Alaric would be happy too.’
Griffin stared at her, wondering if she’d realised her mistake. ‘Isabella’s dad is Almaric.’
She tapped her forehead. ‘Of course it is. I’m so scatterbrained with everything that’s happening. I almost forgot my own name when I checked into the hotel.’ She squeezed his arm in exaggerated delight. ‘Let’s eat. I’m famished.’
The dining room glowed with a roaring fire and flickering candles lit up a grand feast. Shimmering copper dishes of curries and tandoori chicken sat beside plates of fluffy saffron rice, pappadums, raita, naan bread and golden samosas.
As they ate, Isabella’s mum regaled them with stories of her travels when she was younger and the weather wasn’t so volatile. She talked about safaris in Sri Lanka, climbing mountains in Japan and working at an animal shelter in Mozambique.
Griffin stabbed a potato and wondered why she didn’t seem sorry she’d had all these adventures without Isabella. Bea, Fly and Raffy peppered her with questions and Isabella was entranced. Aleksander was at his charming best, complimenting Isabella’s mum and looking equally fascinated by her stories.
Not for the first time that night, Griffin stole a glance at Jeremiah, who sat silently, picking at his rice and barely eating a thing.
‘And Switzerland is so beautiful.’ She stroked Isabella’s cheek. ‘I can’t wait to show you.’
Raffy turned to Bea, who took his hand beneath the table.
‘And Fly.’ Isabella’s mum switched her attention to the young girl. ‘You must be so happy to be with your family again.’
‘I am.’ Fly looked around at the others. ‘I love my parents and sister, but it’s like I have two families now.’
‘Yes, but it’s not quite the same, is it? I mean, not like a real family.’
Fly winced as if she’d been stung.
Griffin was annoyed that Isabella’s mum was being so careless. For three years they were as much a family as any.
More of a family than she’d ever been to Isabella.
Before he could say anything, Lana Charm raised her glass. ‘To my wonderful daughter and her friends, who have been through so much and are so brave. I am so proud …’ She touched her lips, trying not to cry. ‘I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you.’
Final Storm Page 10