‘I don’t have a recording of your father’s voice, but I do have the original letter with his wedding vows that he sent her when he was dying, and his heartfelt words to you. Gosh, it must be a hundred years old now.’

‘A hundred and three,’ the old monk said.

Shelly blinked at her wizened grandfather. ‘Let me try to remember what it said.’

‘I’ve got it,’ Harry said. ‘You took a photo of it and sent it to me. Wait . . . yes, here it is.’

He passed the phone back to her again, And Shelly read it aloud.

Adam’s face was hidden by his hood, but Shelly felt the splash of a tear on the back of her hand. ‘I fear we’ve overtired you. We’ll leave you in peace, and come back tomorrow, if that’s all right?’ She leaned forward, dipped under his cowl, and pressed her face against his wet cheek. ‘I’m so glad I found you, Grandfather.’

*

That night, Shelly stared into the dark. Meeting her grandfather had changed her. She couldn’t explain why. She didn’t know him, had never met him before, or missed him in any way. Yet, after her visit, she felt complete, as if the last part of her jigsaw had fallen into place.

She wondered if her grandfather felt the same. Her answer came the next morning at breakfast, when the receptionist approached their table with a note that said she had to go up to the monastery.

‘He simply didn’t wake this morning,’ the abbot explained. ‘There was a note at the side of his bed and I’m sure it was meant for you.’ He passed it over.

Shelly looked at the single word, written in Greek. ‘I’m sorry, what does it say?’

‘It simply says, “Thank you,”’ the abbot said.

Chapter 51

CHAPTER 51

GERTIE

Dover, 1917.

FOR MANNO AND ADAM I will wear black to the end of my days.

The rest you probably know. Margarete, Shelly, whoever you are listening to this story, I hope you are happy, and also find love. If you do, hold onto it with all the strength you have. Life is not easy, but it is a lot easier with someone who loves you standing by your side. Tell your children and grandchildren about me, about my story.