That was true, Kathleen thought, delighted to see that they’d reached the kissing stage. Although technically Josh hadn’t kissed Martha. It had been the other way round. And Martha was a naturally tactile and demonstrative person of course, but still...
Would she have asked Liza to read those letters if it hadn’t been for Martha?
Probably not. She was eternally grateful to her, and wished her nothing but good things.
Photographs and filming finished, they climbed back into the car and headed onward on their journey through Arizona.
Kathleen suggested sampling the playlist, much to the delight of her much younger companions.
Martha’s head bobbed in time with the music and occasionally she started singing and then remembered that she wasn’t supposed to be singing and clamped her mouth shut.
Kathleen smiled. Even in a short time they’d found a comfortable routine and there was something soothing in that.
The crushing homesickness had passed, fortunately, and she felt excited about the day ahead. She’d see Arizona and California, as she’d always wanted to. Oakwood Cottage would be waiting for her when she’d finished her trip, and she’d appreciate it all the more for her absence.
In the meantime it was a comfort to know that Liza was there, walking on the beach that she thought of as her own, pottering round her garden, tending her plants.
In Winslow, Martha found their hotel easily and they parked and checked in.
It was built in the style of a hacienda, with both a Spanish and Mexican feel.
Revived after lunch, Kathleen joined them to explore the town of Winslow.
Martha waved her phone in front of Kathleen’s face, bubbling with excitement. “Look at this! You’re trending!”
“Trending?” Kathleen, struggling with the heat, removed an old-fashioned fan from her bag and opened it.
“On social media! Our last post was seen by a TV presenter—must have been the hashtag—and she shared it, and reached out to see if she could cover the story and interview you and now it’s all blowing up—” Martha checked her phone again, “well, FOX! You’re famous, Kathleen. You’re going to need an agent.”
“I hereby appoint you to the role.” Kathleen fanned herself as Martha scrolled through her messages.
“You can’t possibly give interviews to all these people or you’ll never get to enjoy your road trip. Why don’t we offer an exclusive to one, for now—to the channel you worked for? And then you can see how you feel about doing more once you get home. I can handle that for you. Hey, maybe they’ll offer you a book deal.”
“I’d rather do something than write about it.”
“I’ll ghost write it for you.” Martha was still scrolling, and Josh shook his head, amused.
“Have you thought about applying for a job in public relations, or media relations?”
“Nah, I already have a job, thanks. I’m Kathleen’s personal assistant. I am going to handle her media inquiries.” Martha typed a reply to someone, her fingers flying so fast that it seemed like magic to Kathleen. “I am her first line of defense.”
“Defense against what?”
“Anyone who tries to give her tea that isn’t Earl Grey. Also the paparazzi.” Martha sent one message, and then another. “We can’t have them knowing about Kathleen’s giddy lifestyle.”
“Talking of giddy lifestyles, this heat does make me feel a little strange.” Kathleen slipped her arm into Martha’s and she immediately put her phone away.
“Is it too hot for you? Do you want to go back to the hotel?”
“No. Let’s walk for a little.”
Whatever would she have done on this trip without Martha?
Josh strolled ahead, but Martha stayed with Kathleen.
“You asked Liza to read the letters, didn’t you?” She kept her voice low. “You don’t have to tell me about it. But if you need a big hug or anything, I’m here.”
A big hug.
Martha was still willing to give emotionally, despite what had happened. It gave Kathleen hope for her.
“It was the right thing to do. Thank you for encouraging me.”
Adam hadn’t left Ruth.
She knew for sure now that she’d done the right thing.
Ruth had enjoyed a happy life. Adam had stayed with her, although something in the phrases Ruth used so carefully had made Kathleen wonder if there had been an affair in there at some point. It wouldn’t have surprised her, just as the fact that Adam had enjoyed a distinguished career didn’t surprise her.
Kathleen pictured him, sure and confident standing at a lectern. A little thicker around the middle, perhaps, hair with a few silvery streaks. But he would have had presence. Adam always had presence.
Martha reached across and gave her hand a squeeze. “Did it upset you, Kathleen?”
Upset? No.
“It unsettled me, but it was the right thing to do.”
“And are you going to get in touch with Ruth?”
“That, I haven’t decided.” And it had been weighing on her since Liza had read the last letter.
Martha nodded. “I suppose that depends on whether you want this to be the end, or a beginning. It could be either.”
Kathleen stopped walking. The heat pressed down on her.
An end or a beginning. Martha was right.
Which was it to be? Should she view the letters as closure, or should she make contact with Ruth?
She hadn’t replied to a single one of Ruth’s letters. Her old friend knew nothing about her life, or even that she was still alive.
She thought about it for the whole afternoon, and while she was dressing for dinner. Her room was delightful, with antique furnishings, a hand-woven Zapotec rug and a cast-iron tub.
Ready early, she sat on the chair next to the bed and called Liza, who answered almost immediately even though it was past midnight.
“Did I wake you?”
“No. I was finishing off a painting in the summerhouse so Sean and I ate late. We only just finished clearing up. We stole a bottle of wine from your cellar.”
Kathleen smiled. “Steal away. You know how much I approve of indulgence.”
“I’ve been thinking about you all day. Are you all right, Mum?”
“Yes, although I’ve been thinking about those letters of course.”
“I’ve been thinking about them too.” There was a clatter in the background. “She had a happy life. You were partly responsible for that.”