Miriam got to her feet and went to her eldest daughter. She crouched down and took Colette’s hand in her own, rubbing the back of her knuckles with the pad of her thumb. “Love, the past four years have been difficult for us all, of course, but for you most of all.”

“That’s not true,” Colette corrected. “You had to deal with chemo and radiation and all the worry that came with that...” She could never bring herself to say the horrible “C” word out loud.

Miriam looked at her tenderly. “I wish you’d stop interrupting me. I’m trying to tell you something but you refuse to let me.”

“Sorry,” she apologized as she resettled herself in her seat and gave her mother her full attention.

“Thank you,” she said with a smile. “Now, where was I?”

“Difficult for everyone,” Noelle insisted, her eyes watering.

“That’s it. Colette, love, don’t think for a second I don’t appreciate the sacrifices you had to make. Like it or not, you had to move out of your comfort zone and take up the mantle in my place. You did what you had to in order for this family to be all right, and you never complained, never faltered in your determination to be there for me and do the best you could. Not once. In all the time I was going through treatment, or when I had to give the reins of the business over to you, you never failed me. You always did all you could. I’m more grateful for that than you’ll ever know.”

Her mother touched her cheek and Colette felt a rush of emotion. She didn’t need the praise, or at least she didn’t think so, but receiving it was nice all the same.

“Thanks.” Her smile faltered a little when she realized Noelle in the meantime had left the room. She hoped all this hadn’t made her sister uncomfortable, or worse, feel guilty for not being around for the worst of it.

But then she returned with an easy grin.

“Do you have it?” her mother asked, turning back to Noelle.

“Sorry, it was in my bag,” her sister said, producing an A4 envelope. She was smiling when she handed it to their mother.

“Here you go.” Miriam took the envelope and in turn handed it to Colette.

“What’s this?” she asked, confused.

“Open it and see, silly,” Noelle insisted.

Colette turned the envelope over in her hand, then proceeded to glide her finger under the seal to pry it open. Then she pulled the contents out and stared.

The brochures were a magnificent blaze of color and light, and the scenery they presented was simply stunning. Azure oceans and groups of pastel houses tumbling down mountainside forests filled the pages, interspersed with images of sailboats on the water and delicious-looking cuisine.

“Italy?” Colette questioned, turning to the front of the brochure.