She loves you, darling. She really does. She doesn’t mean to come across so bluntly. She’s just worried about you, Gran said.

‘Which is ironic, considering I’m living right on their doorstep where they can see everything that’s happening, and not hundreds of kilometres away going to uni and doing God knows what, like the others.’

You mother’s always been a worrier. She likes security. You know how her parents were, Gran said gently.

Caroline’s family were very different to the Kinnairds. Indeed, Elle’s other set of grandparents were about as opposite to Gran and Pa as it was possible to get. Granddad Ashcroft had never been able to hold down a job while Caroline was growing up, leaving Granny Ashcroft to be creatively thrifty stretching the little income they had to keep her four children fed and clothed in their government-subsidised house.

Elle knew that her mum had always felt like a square peg in a round hole in her family—which was ironic considering she couldn’t seem to understand Elle’s predicament. All Caroline had wanted to do was go to university and make something of her life, and she’d done it by working hard and getting a student loan to put herself through her studies. Elle was extremely proud but a little daunted by her mother’s drive.

Elle didn’t need a Bachelor of Psychology to see the issues that had come from her mother’s upbringing, and how they influenced the way she saw the world. In her mother’s eyes, the success of her children was a guarantee they would be able to provide for their own families the way she had provided for hers, so their Christmases wouldn’t be filled with second-hand toys or randomly picked gifts from charity organisations.

It always amazed Elle that for a smart woman, her mother could be very obtuse when it came to understanding people. It didn’t make it any less hurtful, though, when she continued to wield that sword of righteousness over Elle’s head.

‘She’s an education snob, Gran,’ Elle said. ‘She may have her reasons for being like that, but it’s time to stop using it as an excuse. Granny and Granddad weren’t bad people just because they didn’t have a degree and fancy careers. Mum might have hated growing up like that, but she has no right to try to force everyone else into how she thinks we should all live.’

She’ll come around, Gran said quietly. I think this time apart will do wonders for both of you.

SEVEN

Seven

The next morning, as she sat at the table after being summoned for breakfast at her parents’ place, her father cleared his throat and made an announcement. ‘I’ve been in touch with my cousin, Alice, in Scotland. She’s sent her address and a phone number for you to organise a time to visit once you get over there.’ He slid a piece of paper across to Elle.

Caroline, busying herself with buttering her toast, didn’t look up.