I know deep down you are not a true Sinclair, not in your heart, and I take comfort from that. I know you loved Elizabeth once and that your feelings were genuine and that my daughter was probably not deserving of such love. She was a complex person and if it’s any comfort to you, I know she did love you too but for Elizabeth love was never enough. She always wanted more. Despite her gregarious nature, underneath it all, she was insecure and never had the courage to acknowledge her background or to be proud of her roots. She felt it was a weakness and she turned her back on it, believing she’d find fulfilment in material things and power. My only regret is that I wasn’t able to teach her to value herself and those who loved her more highly.

In a strange sort of way, I can understand how your mother felt. That’s not to say I understand how she reacted but I understand the love she had for Conmere and her family. I would go to the ends of the earth to protect my loved ones. Whatever the outcome of the new enquiry, I know I have made peace with myself and with my daughter. I have found strength from my faith, having returned to it in recent months, as I look towards some sort of forgiveness. I’m not there yet, but I’m making progress. And you must try to do the same. I hope you find a sense of peace and I hope you find love because that is the strongest gift a person can receive and give. That’s what makes us human and that’s what gives us purpose.

Take care and may God bless you.

Sonia

Harry’s eyes swam with tears. He wasn’t sure he deserved such humility from her. He reread the letter several more times and each time it touched his heart a little bit more.

Chapter Forty-Three

Kendalton, Thursday, 6 July, 11.33 a.m.

Steph folded the flap on the last packing box in Wendy’s house, taped it down, then marked it ‘Living Room’. She slid it over with the other boxes neatly stacked up in the corner.

‘That looks about done,’ she said, looking up as Ria came into the room.

‘Here, have a cup of tea.’ Ria placed the tray she was carrying down onto one of the boxes.

Steph picked up her cup and with a sigh looked around the room. ‘Strange to think my mum’s life amounts to half a dozen cardboard boxes. I know she’s not particularly sentimental, but this is all she wants to take with her.’

‘She’s moving to a small apartment. What do you expect?’

‘I hope she’s doing the right thing. Devon is such a long way away from everything she’s known for the past thirty years.’