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I hoped Maeve was okay.
I hoped Dad would recover.
Gladys had helped me realise that none of those things were mine to control, that I had to look forward as we didn’t know what would come in and change our lives at any one moment. She’d never expected to be on the run with her neighbour and his daughter-of-the-mafia girlfriend. Seeing her delight had pulled me from my deep funk, and although there were moments where I felt it trying to drag me back under, the levity of the trip through her eyes helped. So did the quiet reassurance from Alec, the way he looked at me like I was a treasure. The way he made me feel every day, like it had been worth it. Like I was worth it. His soft praise and his never-ending patience astounded me, and made me see a whole new side of him than just the absolute sex-god I’d fallen for. He was so much more than my father’s enforcer, or the man sent to drag me home, or even the man who knew how to make me come until I begged him to stop.
We were forming our own little tribe. I sincerely hoped Eva and Jock could be part of it too. I wouldn’t blame them at all if they told us to get lost after I brought so much chaos to their door.
The taverna came into view as we rounded the top of the hill, sweat clinging to my brow as I panted. I hoped I’d get used to the beastly walk-up if we stayed.
Gladys let out a delighted whoop, startling some birds and making Alec laugh. Warmth encased me at the sight of them.
‘Oh, Esther, it’s just as lovely as you said it was. I could go a cold gin too after that walk,’ Gladys said with a grin.
‘Last time they saw me, they blew a hole in their wall trying to kill me. I wouldn’t be counting on that gin just yet.’ Alec looked nervous, his eyes scanning the taverna.
‘It feels like home. Which is insane, seeing as I was there for such a brief time, but I do feel like I’m coming home.’ The taverna had been the first place I’d felt accepted without the last name I’d been birthed into or the money and respect that had always surrounded my family. The first place I could just be Esther. Well, Emily. But still.
I spotted Eva first, a smile breaking out as I waved sheepishly, hoping that she’d look just as pleased. Her eyes widened as she spotted me, her smile beaming as she made her way to me and pulled me into a crushing hug.
‘You came back!’ she said, her eyes tearing up as she held me at arm’s length, her eyes wetting at the corners.
‘I did. Is that okay?’ My stomach roiled.
‘More than okay. I’m thrilled to see you.’
Eva rounded on Alec, his arm still looped through Gladys’s. She narrowed her eyes at him. ‘I hope you’ve learned some lessons since your last visit.’
‘So many,’ he said, shifting from foot to foot under her gaze. ‘I’m sorry. For last time.’
‘Good. Then let’s say no more of it.’ Eva grasped my hands in hers. ‘Will you be staying?’
‘I hope so. There was an incident before we left, and I’m hoping that they didn’t tie it to us?’
Eva frowned before nodding. ‘He was a wicked man, and there was no one willing to fight on his behalf and bring the police into it. It’s done.’
I breathed a sigh of relief, knowing that Alec wouldn’t be cuffed for killing my mugger.
‘We have some money and we are hoping to find somewhere for Alec, Gladys and me.’ I smiled down at my stomach. ‘And the baby.’
Eva clapped her hands and stroked over my not-yet-blooming tummy. ‘Oh, a baby. Oh yes, you must stay. I have just the place for the two of you.’
‘And Gladys?’ I said, not wanting to have taken an old woman to Spain just to ditch her.
‘Gladys can stay with us, if she’s willing?’
‘Above the taverna? It’ll be the most excitement I’ve had in years.’ Gladys smiled as she patted Alec’s hand.
‘Let’s get you all a good feed first, and I’ll go fill Jock in.’ Eva led us into the taverna, the locals smiling and nodding in welcome.
‘Maybe hide his shotgun...’ Alec said as he pulled out a seat for Gladys.
As I sat in the taverna, the bustling of the town around us and the smell of food wafting out from the kitchen, I finally let myself relax. I reached for Alec’s hand when he took the seat next to me, squeezing his fingers below the table.
‘Does it feel good to be back?’ he said, kissing the area behind my ear lightly in a way that made me swoon.
‘It does. Thank you for agreeing to come.’
‘Wherever you are is my home, baby. I’d follow you to the ends of the earth as long as you're in my arms.’
