“I think we could light the fire now,” I say to Gus, and watch as he approaches it in a businesslike way. Nearby, Dad’s opening the wine.
“Oh, Effie,” he says. “I’ve just remembered, I did see your Russian dolls.”
“What?” I look up, alert.
“Yes, Krista had them.”
For a few seconds I can’t speak. My face feels like stone. Krista had them?
“She’d been clearing out the window seat and she asked me what to do with them. I told her to keep them, of course,” he adds hastily, seeing my stricken expression. “She told me she’d put them somewhere safe. So they’re in the house. If we can’t find them, I’ll ask her.”
I almost want to laugh maniacally. Krista? Somewhere safe?
But this is the evening of building bridges. So somehow I swallow my dismay, and put on a smile.
“Thanks, Dad,” I say. “I’m sure we’ll track them down.”
After a few moments, Bean reappears with some cushions and I help her arrange them on the ground. We’re all in our comfort zone now. We all know what to do.
Soon the fire’s crackling, and we’ve all got glasses in our hands, and Joe has arrived at the top of the mound with a tray full of sausages. He’s been a total star all afternoon, volunteering to go and shop for food and then picking up Temi from a far-flung station when her train malfunctioned.
“I know lobster ravioli has its moments,” says Gus, eyeing the tray hungrily. “But sausages.”
As he speaks, the fire takes hold suddenly, and we all turn to watch it blaze and spark. How many times have we sat up here, just staring into the flickering flames? It feels natural, gathering around the bonfire. Unforced. A proper send-off.
Maybe our family has changed shape. Maybe things aren’t exactly like they used to be. And maybe they’ll be even more different in the future. But whatever happens, we’ll still be us.
“Well, here’s to you, Talbots,” says Temi, looking around. “And thanks for having me.”
“Of course,” says Bean fondly. “You practically grew up here.”
“Happy memories.” Temi is taking in the house, the garden, the distant tree house. “So many happy memories. But we’ll all make new ones.”
“Yes,” says Bean resolutely. “That’s the plan.”
“It sure is.” I smile at her.
“You can’t hold on to things just because of the memories,” continues Temi thoughtfully. “Otherwise, no one would ever move house. Or country.”
“Exactly.” Bean nods. “Or chuck a crap boyfriend. Every crap boyfriend has at least one good memory attached to him. But you have to let them go. Otherwise, you’re all, Oh, but there was that lovely time we walked in the autumn leaves.”
“Niall,” I say at once, and Bean nods ruefully, because she stayed with her uni boyfriend Niall for far too long, and we’ve agreed on this many times.
“I still remember leaving our house in France,” says Temi reminiscently. “That was a hard day. I was so happy in France. It was sunny…We were near the beach…I could walk around in bare feet…” She shakes her head disbelievingly. “Then I find myself in London, can’t speak the language, it rains all the time, everyone seems so unfriendly…and I was like, ‘My life is ruined! It’s over!’？” She smiles at me. “But, you know, it turned out pretty OK in the end.”
I feel a movement beside me and turn to see Joe joining me on the rug.
“Well done,” he says quietly. “You’ve turned things around.”
“Well, I don’t know,” I say cautiously.
“No, you have. This is great.” He spreads his arms around. “It’s perfect. Even if there isn’t lobster and a DJ.”
“What!” I exclaim, in mock horror. “Are you dissing Krista’s house-cooling party?”
“Some people marry the same woman over and over,” says Joe, looking thoughtfully over at Dad. “You meet their second wife, and she’s a duplicate of the first one, just with a different name.” He pauses. “Your dad really didn’t do that, did he?”
“No.” I can’t help giggling. “Not so much. Thanks for doing all the shopping, by the way,” I add. “And picking up Temi. I’ve hardly seen you this afternoon.”
“I know.” Joe nods. “In fact, I’ve been meaning to ask you something. Did you get anywhere with your mission? And what was it, anyway? Will you tell me now?” he adds, his eyes twinkling. “Will you trust me?”