‘There you are.’ Mrs Hoskine stood at the door. ‘Your mother is already in the car. We haven’t been able to find you anywhere.’ She shook her head and said, ‘I never would have thought to find you in here.’ She laughed and held open her arms. ‘Come and give me a big hug, my lovely.’

Diana raced to her and breathed in the smell of fresh-baked scones. ‘I’m going to miss you, little one.’ She held her at a distance and Diana felt that Mrs Hoskine was trying to memorize every detail of her. Diana tried to do the same. Mrs Hoskine picked up her hand and they walked the gravel path beside the grass. Light rain fell. Boskenna was crying because they were leaving but Diana had to be brave. Mummy needed her to be because Mummy was sad.

She waited by the car under an umbrella and she wasn’t smiling. More than almost anything, Diana wanted to see Mummy smile and laugh again. It was all Diana’s fault.

‘Be a good little thing.’ Mrs Hoskine let her hand go and wiped her eyes with a hankie. ‘I’m going to miss you but the good Lord willing, it won’t be too long until you’re back.’

Diana nodded and wrapped her arms around her. She didn’t want to leave. But this was all because of her so she had to be good. Mummy handed Mrs Hoskine the umbrella then took Diana’s hand, and they climbed into the back seat. Mr Hoskine drove and they went slowly through the gate. Diana rubbed a fist against her eyes, she would not cry. Mummy looked out of the window while Diana twisted around to watch until she couldn’t see the gates anymore.

‘Mummy!’

‘Yes.’ She looked at Diana.

‘I left Ben on the bed, and my diary.’

Mummy turned her wrist over and looked at her watch. ‘I’m afraid we haven’t got time to go back and pick them up before our train. I’ll have Mrs Hoskine send them.’ She wrapped an arm around Diana and pulled her close, kissing the top of her head. ‘This is all very hard, but we will be OK.’ She smiled but her eyes didn’t.

‘Thank you, Mummy.’ Diana twisted around again and through the back window she saw the last glimpse of St Austell Bay. She hoped she’d be home soon, and it wouldn’t take too long for Mrs Hoskine to send Ben and the diary to her in London. Boskenna was hers and Mummy’s home and she wanted with all her heart to be back there.

91. Diana

91

Diana

6 August 2018, 6.45 p.m.