A Dish of Stones

by Valentina Hepburn

  “No, but there’s something I need to speak to you about. It’s really important. I thought it was worth the risk of coming here again.”

  She began to tell Diana of her plans. Diana looked perplexed at first, but when Emma explained how much she loved Greg and was happy, she understood. “Kate will miss you, Emma. You've told her?”

  “Yeah, she knows and I know she’s going to miss us, especially Christina. That’s why I’ve decided to leave Christina with her.” Diana gasped. “You’re going to do what?”

  “I know it seems a strange thing to do, and not everyone will agree with me, but Christina's the link between us all. Even Stephen and your husband are links in the chain we’ve made. I’ll see Christina all the time. Every day. I’m still her mother and you’re her grandmother, the only one she has. Kate idolises Christina. She loves her as much as I do.” She paused as she chose her words carefully. “Maybe more. Katie is capable of so much love.”

  “You can't say that, Emma? Christina is your child; your flesh and blood. You made her.”

  “I know,” Emma replied. “But Kate loves her so deeply. She is love. She’s kind and generous and she always looks for the good in everyone. Not like me. Most of the time I only see the bad and once you start doing it it’s hard to stop. Kate can love so many people at the same time. She has a huge heart and I’m so proud she’s my sister, but if I take Christina away from her I’m going to break that heart. I don’t want to be responsible for causing her so much hurt. Christina will be my gift to her, my thanks for standing by my side when everything looked so bad.”

  She pulled Christina on to her lap and kissed her, then looked at Diana with an unwavering gaze. “I want to do something good for Kate because I owe her. I owe her everything. I’m here to ask you if you would help Kate look after Christina. I don’t want Kate to lose her career. She’s worked so hard for it and she must have her own life, but she’s going to need help. I’m hoping you’ll give it to her.”

  Diana let out a deep breath. “Are you sure this is what you want? You have to be very sure, Emma, because if you ever feel you’ve made the wrong decision and want Christina back...” Her voice trailed off. “This is a one-way street we’re talking about and I want you to understand what a huge decision this is. A life-changing decision. If Kate agrees I would be happy to help. It would be a dream come true for me but please think about it. I’m thinking about myself as well. If you took her away you would break my heart too. I would much rather you made the right choice in the beginning so we all know where we stand. If you did it later it would be dreadful for all of us. You do understand, Emma?”

  “Yes,” she said her voice almost a whisper. “I do understand, but I’m also doing this for Christina. She has a loving home at number fifty-three, and I know you and Kate will make a brilliant job of looking after her. If I thought any different I wouldn’t have even considered the idea. Christina must come first in everything.

  Emma wheeled Christina down the drive, away from the imposing house at Meadow’s End. She passed the small paddock, lush with spring flowers, and the old oaks standing proudly at the front of the property. As she passed through the impressive gates she didn’t look back. She doubted she would ever go through those gates again or past the meadow, or step over the thresh-hold of the Barton house. Tears pricked under her eyelids, but not in sorrow. She thought of everything that had happened to her and Kate and realised with great hope soaring in her heart they’d finally come through. They’d won the battle against the relentless events that had threatened their future and triumphed against all the odds.

  She would never forget this day or the journey that had carried her so far away from the person she once was. That girl had gone forever and in her place was a young woman who had flourished; wise beyond her years and mature enough to make a supreme sacrifice.

  Chapter 38

  Christina giggled as she ran through the wild-flowers in the meadow. Some were as tall as the two-year-old and they brushed her beaming face as she ran. “Christina,” called Kate. “Christina, I can’t see you. Wave your hands in the air so I know where you are, sweetie.” Christina giggled even louder and put her hands above her head.

  “I can see you. Come and have a sandwich. They’re cheese and Marmite, your favourite.”

  The little girl ran in the direction of Kate’s voice, her curls bobbing up and down as she ran, and when she appeared from out of the grass she ran towards her, her arms outstretched. Kate swung her up then lowered her into Diana’s arms.

  Diana sat her on the tartan blanket and put a plate of sandwiches on her lap. “You like those, don’t you?” Christina nodded, her blonde hair animated with every childlike movement. Her eyes searched the picnic blanket for her doll. “Where’s Mandy?” she asked.

  “Here she is,” Kate said as she laid the doll by her side. “She’s still here. She was waiting for you.” Christina picked up the doll and offered it a sandwich. Both Diana and Kate watched her, neither able to take their eyes from the delightful little girl

  “I don’t think I’ve ever loved anyone as much as I love Christina,” said Kate. “She’s made my life complete.”

  “Don’t let Jack hear you say that. He’s head-over-heels for you.” Kate laughed. “I love him too, but in a different way.”

  She lay back on the blanket. The sun was hot on her face and so bright she shaded her eyes with her hand. “I wish I’d brought my sunglasses,” she said, wincing at the crystal rays of sun beating down on her. “The sun is so bright today.” She rolled over on to her stomach and watched Christina as she played with her doll.

  “Everyone who meets Christina falls in love with her. Lily spoilt her dreadfully last weekend when Matthew and I took her for a visit. Christina ate lots of cake. I’m sure so much isn’t good for her, but Lily’s cakes are hard to resist.”

  “I’m so glad things have worked out there, Diana. It’s brilliant for Christina to have such a loving family.”

  “Yes, Matthew and I have found some happiness together, and it’s all thanks to Christina. She’s brought out a side to Matthew I never knew existed. I think she melted his heart. He’s so soft and sweet around her. It’s wonderful to see. And she’ll be a beautiful bridesmaid. You must be looking forward so much to your wedding, Kate. You’ve only one week left as Kate McGuire. Soon you’ll be Mrs. Daly and an old married woman.”

  “I can’t wait to marry Jack. I love him so much, and he’s crazy about Christina. I think Emma’s Greg gets a bit jealous sometimes, even though they have Marcus now. He’s such a gorgeous baby.”

  Christina stood and picked a dandelion clock. “Blow on it, Aunty Katie. Tell me the time.” Kate frowned and waved it away. “You blow on it, Christina. Go on, blow on it and make a wish. The fairies will carry your wishes away to fairyland and they’ll all come true.” She bit her lip. I shouldn’t say things like that to her, she thought. Christina begged her again. “Please, Aunty.” Kate smiled. “OK,” she said kneeling up on the blanket. “How can I refuse you anything? But just this once.” Christina nodded.

  Kate took the dandelion clock from Christina’s chubby little hand and holding it up towards the sky took a deep breath with her eyes on Christina who stood by her waiting, then blew as hard as she could. Christina shrieked with delight as the tiny umbrellas floated gently up into the air. Kate stood up and put Christina on her hip so she could watch them.

  “Look, Christina. The fairies are taking them across the meadow.”

  “Tell me your wish, Aunty Katie.”

  “Oh, it was nothing, sweetheart. Aunty Katie was being silly.”

  She gave Christina a kiss and sat her on the blanket. She straightened her back as she looked across the meadow to the stream. Two men sat on the opposite edge, cooling their feet in the water. They stood and began walking towards her, their shoes tied together by the laces and slung round their necks. The sharp sunlight glinting on the water distorted her vision. The sun was behind the men now, o
utlining their bodies with golden rays. One of the men waved to her. Kate placed her hand tightly across her mouth to stifle her scream, but there was no mistaking him. “Diana,” she cried. “It’s my dad. It’s Dad. He’s come home.” Diana stood and looked across the meadow towards the stream. Kate ran down the hill towards them, pushing the long grass aside, her raven hair flying out behind her. She called him again and again.

  “Dad. Dad it’s me, it’s Kate.”

  As she reached him he held his arms out wide for her. He swung her around and around and around until they were both dizzy and crying with laughter. He put her down gently and took her face into his hands, rubbing her tear-stained cheeks with his thumbs. He kissed her then looked up the meadow towards the woman who stood almost hidden among the breeze rippled grasses, holding a child on her hip. He put his hand out to Kate and she clasped it tightly. Then she, Joe and Daniel walked up the hill.

  The End