Amber blinked at her. ‘A month?’
‘That would give me enough time to see Pete in Singapore before heading on to see your mum and dad,’ said Cathy.
Amber was stunned. A whole month?
‘It’ll go really quickly, I’m sure,’ Cathy added. ‘Then you can leave as soon as I’m back.’
Amber really wasn’t at all certain about the plans that had been suggested. But her godmother looked so happy that she found herself nodding her head in agreement.
‘OK,’ she said. ‘Of course.’
As usual, she was sacrificing her own plans for everyone else. Except she had no plans, she reminded herself. And if anyone deserved a break, it was her godmother.
‘I knew you coming to see us would make everything better,’ said Cathy, squeezing her hand and smiling.
Amber nodded and smiled as well. It was a sacrifice on her part, to be sure. However, she was certain it was the best thing for Cathy to get away for a while. She was less sure about being stuck in Cranbridge with Josh for another few weeks though. But, it wasn’t forever and surely the time would fly by?
She just hoped Josh would be happy about her staying on.
11
Josh had spent most of the afternoon trying not to think about his mother’s appointment at the hospital.
Grandma Tilly had also come into the shop in the middle of the afternoon looking concerned.
‘I didn’t want to be by myself today,’ she had told Josh.
But they were both climbing the walls with worry about the results by the time Cathy finally called.
However once he had passed on the good news, they had both waited for his mum to return, smiling in their joint relief.
‘I come bearing great news,’ said his mum, breaking into a wide smile when she finally came through the front door with Amber.
‘I can’t believe it’s all over,’ said Grandma Tilly, bursting into tears.
His mum rushed over to draw Grandma Tilly into her arms. ‘Yes, Mum. They don’t even want to see me for another year. And, no offence after all the wonderful work that they’ve done, but I don’t particularly want to see them either!’
She looked over her mother’s shoulder and stared at Josh. For a moment they locked eyes as they shared the relief of getting the all-clear from the hospital.
Josh found himself slumping against the counter, the realisation of how worried he’d been washing over him. It was over. Finally they could all move on from her illness.
But to what? That was almost a bigger fear than the cancer. But he wasn’t going to put a dampener on things at that moment when everyone was so relieved.
‘I have other good news,’ said his mum, glancing at Amber. ‘Well, it’s an idea actually.’
‘There’s room for more good news?’ said Tilly, bringing out her handkerchief and wiping her cheeks. ‘What else is there to come?’
His mum looked at Josh. ‘I’ve talked it over with Amber and I want to go and see Pete in Singapore.’
Josh was staggered. He’d only shared a brief conversation with Amber about his idea for his mum to have a holiday, but she appeared to have worked wonders.
He looked at Amber, who gave him a small nod as if to confirm that it was indeed true.
‘I rang Pete after I talked to you,’ his mum continued. ‘He even wants to pay for the plane ticket over there.’
Thank goodness, thought Josh because he didn’t really have any more spare money to play with. Of course, had he any savings, he would have spent them all on his mum. She deserved this.
Tilly clapped her hands together. ‘Oh, what a splendid idea! I’d come with you if I had a passport.’
‘You can always apply and come with me,’ his mum suggested.
But Grandma Tilly was shaking her head. ‘Oh no. I never enjoyed travelling on planes at the best of times. I couldn’t travel that far.’
Josh was pleased for his mum, but his mind was reeling with the practicalities.
‘I know what you’re thinking,’ she said, looking at him. ‘You’re worried about the shop.’
I’m always worried about the shop, he thought but stayed silent.
‘Well, I’ve got good news on that too,’ his mum continued. ‘Amber has kindly agreed to stay on whilst I’m away.’
Josh was stunned. He looked across at Amber, who was blushing furiously and not making eye contact with anyone.
‘Don’t you want to head on and see your parents?’ he asked, thinking it was too much of a sacrifice. Surely she didn’t want to hang around Cranbridge when she could be making a fresh start in New Zealand?
But his mum beat her to the reply. ‘It’ll be a bit crowded, seeing as I’m hoping to hop on a plane when I’m over in Singapore and go and see them as well! Look, it’s all sorted. I’ll talk to Denise tonight when the time difference is a bit better. Amber’s offered to stay here and keep you both company and then she can leave when I return.’
‘I think it’s a marvellous idea,’ said Grandma Tilly, reaching out to squeeze Amber’s arm.
Josh was trying to think of a downside, but his mind was reeling with the sheer amount of information he’d received in the past five minutes. Not least the fact that his mum was going to Singapore and New Zealand.
‘Well, it seems as if you’ve got it all figured out,’ he finally said.
Mother and son locked eyes once more. He wanted to say more, but there were too many people around.
‘Well, this calls for a proper celebration,’ said Tilly.
‘I agree,’ his mum said. ‘Let’s go to the pub for a drink!’
‘Twice in one week? I’d better change my cardigan.’ Tilly smiled. ‘I can’t wear this old thing. Amber, be a dear and walk me back, would you? I feel a little unsteady after all this excitement.’
‘Of course,’ said Amber.
As they left the shop, Josh thought that his remarkable grandmother was many things but not particularly subtle. But he was grateful for the chance to be alone with his mum for a moment.
‘I’m sorry to land all this on you,’ she told him as soon as it was just the two of them.
‘That’s OK,’ he said. ‘I’ve been trying to get you to go and see Pete for a long time.’
‘I know,’ she said, sighing heavily. ‘I just wasn’t ready, I guess. I needed to know that the damn stuff was gone for good before I could move on. Finally it feels as if I can have a clean break.’ She studied him. ‘You need one too, I think. From me.’
He slumped down on the stool behind the counter. ‘I’m sorry,’ he said, shaking his head. ‘I’ve been so angry these past two years. I didn’t mean to take it out on you.’
‘I’m sorry too,’ she told him, coming over to stand on the other side of the counter. ‘I should have realised that it’s been all about me.’
He shrugged his shoulders. ‘So it should. You were seriously ill.’
‘But we were both grieving,’ she said softly.
There was a pause and the shop was silent for a while.
‘I miss Dad,’ he found himself saying.
‘Me too,’ his mum said, nodding.