“And you fell in love with Erik.”

“Yes.”

Christy sighed. “I wish my mother had known all this. I wish you’d tried to contact her again.”

“I did.” Robyn felt a twinge of regret. “I had an exhibition in London four years ago. I sent her an invitation. She never replied.”

“I didn’t know.” Christy settled herself back at the kitchen island. “I’m sorry there wasn’t a different outcome. It seems like such a waste, somehow. If only she’d talked to you.”

“If there was blame, then it was mine.” Robyn had long since come to terms with that, too. “She didn’t want to open that door again. She was worried about her family. About you. I’m sure she was a wonderful mother.”

“Yes.” Christy’s voice was thickened. “But she liked order and a plan. Every moment of every day was mapped out. She said she disliked chaos, but spontaneity and impulse fell into that bracket. She thought it made for a calmer, more fulfilling life, but really it was restricting. Stifling for those around her. She did it because she was afraid, of course. I see that clearly now.”

“Yes. And I made that fear worse.”

“She cut out everything that threatened her routine. That included you.”

“You’re right.” Robyn wished she’d been able to view it with such clarity all those years before.

“And I don’t think it was about you at all, really,” Christy said softly. “It was about her, and who she became, and I think that was forged long before your choices challenged her. She was frightened of anything unpredictable. And she was the same with me. When I told her I was pregnant...” Christy gave Robyn an embarrassed smile. “It wasn’t exactly planned. I’d only been seeing Seb for a few weeks when I found out.”

Robyn listened as Christy told her the story. About how she’d met Seb. About the freedom she’d suddenly felt. About how intoxicating it had felt to be spontaneous for once. And she understood it, because she’d felt all the same things. She didn’t enjoy chaos, but neither did she enjoy being caged by routine. She’d learned that freedom was neither of those things.

“Seb seems great, and Holly is adorable.”

“She’s mischievous. Bold. You’ve probably already discovered that. Do you want to see some photographs? I have some lovely ones of her with my mother.” Christy pulled out her phone and scrolled through. “Here.” She held the phone out, and Robyn sat down and took it.

There was Elizabeth, smiling into the camera as she held her granddaughter. Elizabeth with Holly and a birthday cake.

“She looks proud and happy.” Robyn felt a pang. “Would you send me these? I’d love to have them.”

“Of course.” Christy took the phone back. “I have others on my laptop at home. I’ll send them. I think my mother saw a lot of you in Holly.”

“That probably scared her to death.” Robyn refused to spend more time looking back. She’d done all that and moved on. She’d learned to let it go. “Now we have the future to think about. I’m glad that we’re in touch. When I saw your name in my in-box, it was a surprise. But a good one. I’ve thought about you often, of course.”