Epilogue

EPILOGUE

Joanna pulled a couple of leaves from the bottom of the rose bush. ‘This yellow rose bush is your mummy's because it's called the Charlotte Rose and it has the most beautiful scent.'

She pulled a bloom closer to Eliza's nose. This week, she'd learned to sit up completely unaided, just in time for her first birthday party this afternoon. On a blanket, she was content to listen to Joanna's commentary on the garden while running her left hand through the grass.

‘And this red one is called Grandpa's Rose, but I like to call it Grandpa Steve, because that was your grandpa's name.'

Joanna sat back on her heels and watched Eliza pulling at the grass. ‘Your grandpa would've loved you, Eliza Charlotte Knight-Crossley. He would have told you crazy stories and built you dens and taken you paddling in the sea.'

Some days she still felt very sad. Eliza brought so much joy to her life, but she would find herself wanting to tell Steve about each new thing she was doing each day. The doctors had told them not to expect Eliza to hit the milestones at the same age as her peers because she was effectively three months younger in her development. But she continued to grow and thrive and charm everyone she met with her big blue eyes and easily won laugh.

The back door opened and Freddie appeared carrying a large white box. ‘I've picked up the cake. Thanks for having the party here. There're toys all over the place at ours. Should we put her new dress on? They'll be here soon.'

Joanna lived four houses down from Freddie and Eliza, close enough that they would eat together each night when Freddie collected Eliza after work, but they still had their own space. She was conscious that this might not last forever – one day he was going to meet someone and make a new family – but Joanna had decided to enjoy it while it lasted. She scooped Eliza up into her arms. ‘Let's get you ready to receive your guests.'

Sally, Graham and Harry were the first to arrive.

‘Hi Harry. So lovely to see you.'

Harry seemed to grow another inch every time she saw him which, now they lived in Hertfordshire, was a lot more often. He flicked his long fringe from his eyes, gave Joanna his usual high five and then made a beeline for Eliza, who patted the grass either side of her in delight at his appearance. How was it that children – even babies as young as Eliza – had an instinct for the people they could trust? Harry's mere presence made her face light up.

Sally hugged her. ‘You're lucky he made an appearance. Apparently he now has a girlfriend in his block. It's very difficult to get him to come out with his boring parents.' She sounded equal parts sad and proud.

Graham kissed Joanna on the cheek, then winked at her. ‘He's a charmer, like his father.'

Five minutes later, she opened the front door to Rachael and Lucy bearing a gift each. ‘But they're both from the two of us,' Lucy told Joanna.

After kissing Freddie hello, and a high five each from Harry, they sat in front of Eliza on the grass and Rachael held out her parcel. ‘Which one do you want to open first, perfect goddaughter?'

Eliza scrunched at the wrapping with her pudgy little hand, blinking at the noise it made, and Rachael helped her to open it to reveal a huge yellow teddy bear almost twice the size of Eliza. Rachael made Eliza laugh by tickling her nose with the bear's soft paw. ‘I wanted to get you a pink one, baby girl, but I knew that your mummy would've been very cross with me.'

Charlotte hated pink. It was so precious that Eliza would be surrounded by people that could tell her everything about her mother, keep her alive.

‘And speaking of your mummy, we made you this.' Lucy tore a hole into the front of the second gift, putting the end of the paper into Eliza's hand and helping her tear it. It looked to be a frame of some kind.

When she turned it around, Joanna gasped. A collage of pictures of Rachael, Lucy and Charlotte. In school uniform, on a night out, playing in their band. Three beautiful girls, not a care in the world, living and loving life and each other. She'd give everything she had to see the three of them laughing like that again. ‘Oh, girls. That's such a wonderful thing to do.'

Freddie had to clear his throat twice before he could thank them. ‘It's amazing. I'll put it up in her room tonight.'

Rachael had tears in her eyes, too. ‘We want Eliza to know how special her mum was.'

Yes. There were already photographs of Charlotte in every room, but this one would be extra special. ‘I'd like to take a photo of it, too.'

Lucy smiled up at her. ‘We also made you one. It's in the car.'

These girls. She hoped their mothers knew how wonderful they were.

Charlotte had left a hole in her life that would never be filled. Joanna had learned to live with the ache, not expect it to go. Long conversations with Freddie had healed a lot of the guilt she felt about her failings as a mother. Many of the boundaries that Charlotte had railed against, were the self-same things that she'd quoted to Freddie as evidence of her mother's love. This time around, as a grandmother, she had a different perspective. ‘As long as she's happy,' she would tell Freddie, ‘you're doing a good job.'

Freddie clapped his hands. ‘Right then, it is time for birthday cake. Can you bring the birthday girl, Jo?'

Joanna scooped Eliza up from the blanket and tickled her neck with her nose; her giggle always made her heart happy. Before leaving the garden, she glanced back at the yellow Charlotte Rose and, as she always did, blew her beautiful daughter a kiss.

***

Did Joanna and Charlotte's journey bring tears to your eyes? You'll love My Husband's Daughter , another heartbreaking, uplifting novel by Emma Robinson.