Page 66

Chapter 66

August 2011

For several weeks, Georgia has been different.

Tess has found her in various rooms in the house, sitting quietly, apparently doing very little.

The newly framed photograph of Finlay seems to move around with her, as though Georgia is trying to decide where to display it.

Tess has asked her a number of times if she is alright, or if there is anything she needs help with, and has had little by way of a response.

Normally Georgia would be irritated by this sort of question, but she is uncharacteristically placid about it all.

Eventually, one evening after dinner, Tess takes the bull by the horns.

‘I’m worried about you.

’

‘Worried?’

‘I know that letter was a shock and I’m wondering if you need to talk to someone about it.

’

‘I don’t think I want to do that.

’

Tess tries again.

‘Counselling might help, if there’s something troubling you.

’

‘I’m not troubled.

I feel quite peaceful, actually.

’ Georgia smiles. ‘A lot of questions I’ve been asking myself for years have been answered.

’

‘Do you not wonder why you were never told about him? I would be pretty cross about that if it was me.’

Georgia leans forward and rests on her elbows.

‘I confess that, yes, there have been a few days where I was pretty annoyed about it. But what’s the point?

Annie and Keith aren’t here to ask.

All I can do is assume they did it for my benefit.

Maybe they thought those mythical Canadian relatives I was told about might turn up on the doorstep and try to steal me away from them?

I’ll never know.’ She sat back in her chair.

‘I could spend weeks, years, trying to square that particular circle, and at best, it would be an educated guess.’

Tess waits to see if there is anything else, but that seems to be it.

Eventually, she breaks the silence.

‘Georgia, can you tell me what you’re doing with his photograph?

I can help you hang it up if you like.

’

‘I haven’t decided where to put it.

’

‘Right. It’s just that I found it on the mantelpiece in my room today.

I got quite a fright.

’

‘Sorry about that, I should have asked you.’ Georgia stands up and collects the photograph from the dresser.

‘I’m telling him about the house, and about all the people who have been here since he left.

’ She hugs the frame close to her chest. ‘I’m taking him into each room and introducing him to everyone who has stayed here.

All the people he never met.

’ She points at the table.

‘He sat here sometimes, you know, in this room, eating the oaty biscuits that Isobel made, and the parkin. Have I told you about her? I can’t remember.

She used to tell me stories about Finlay and how he used to steal a cheese scone or two when he thought he could get away with it.

I had no idea he was my grandfather, but I think Isobel must have known.

’ Georgia looks at Tess.

‘I’m sorry about being in your room.

I was there because it was his bedroom, and I thought he should know about you too.

’

She stops for a moment, but she hasn’t finished.

‘I want him to know all about what Annie was like when she grew up, because she was his little sister and I think it’s important that he knows who she became.

He saved her life when she was thirteen and they were very close after that.

And of course, he was the reason she took in lodgers in the first place.

It was his legacy. And I really wanted to tell him about Keith.

He would have been pleased that Annie found someone who loved her so much.

I think the two of us are almost up to date now, but a hundred years is a lot to catch up on.

’ Georgia studies the photograph.

‘I’m telling him about myself as well, because I’m his granddaughter.

I think I’m nearly finished, though.

Today I was explaining about some things that are going on in my life at the moment.

’ She pauses. ‘You see, I don’t need a counsellor.

I have a grandfather, and he’s a very good listener.

’

Tess understands at last. It all makes perfect sense now.