‘I feel the same.’ She took a few steps in, still not looking at her mother on the bed yet feeling her presence. ‘What will you do?’ ‘Do you want me to leave?’ he asked, leaning heavily on his cane.

She looked at the frail old man standing in front of her, offering to leave his home. ‘Not unless you want to.’

He shook his head. ‘I arrived at Boskenna for the first time fifty-six years ago. I saw your mother and fell in love with her and the house at the same time.’

She smiled, picturing her mother then. She would imagine his wasn’t the only heart she had stolen.

‘It took me thirteen years to convince her to even consider me and once she said yes, I didn’t give her a chance to change her mind.’

She walked closer to him and held out a hand. ‘Sorry I was such a cow.’

He laughed. ‘Well, I understood and so did your mother.’

She squinted into the distance, seeing the beauty in front of her. ‘Not sure I deserved it.’

‘You did.’ He took her hand and gave it a squeeze.

‘But you want to stay here?’

He looked around the room then his gaze stopped on her mother. ‘I do. She loved this place.’

Diana nodded. ‘I think I did once, too.’

‘You did.’

Today was another beautiful day in a summer filled with beautiful ones yet it was different. Out the window Lottie was marching up the lawn with Alex not far behind. ‘Lottie loves it here and she loved my mother.’

‘True on both counts.’ He smiled gently.

‘I don’t feel like I knew her at all.’

He closed his eyes for a moment then said, ‘Not many of us did.’

‘Would you mind if I spent a few minutes alone with her and maybe went through her things? I’ve been through everything in the hallway closets.’

‘Of course. Are you looking for something in particular?’ He walked to the door.

‘Yes – my mother, if I’m honest.’

He nodded. ‘Of course.’

She watched him leave then turned to the bed. Her mother looked peaceful. She could be sleeping except for the stillness. Someone had taken off the oxygen tube and combed her hair. Diana went to the bed and picked up her mother’s hand, wishing she was still here.

‘I’m sorry, Mum.’ There was so much more she could say, but that was the most important and she’d left it too late. A tear rolled down her cheek and Diana brushed it away. She could no longer do anything to fix this relationship, but she could do something about hers with Lottie. That would be how she would show her mother, wherever she was, that she had learned something. Carefully placing her mother’s hand down, she stood then kissed her cheek. ‘I promise you I won’t waste any more years with Lottie.’