Page 169 of Time To Learn

“That day at the court house,” she whispers, “the last day…do you rememberit?”

I close my eyes and swallow the thickness in my throat.

“It’s difficult to forget a day like that,” I finally answer.

“We were so shocked by everything you said about the abuse. We didn’t know,” her voice turns pleading. “And we didn’t know what to say to you while we were still grieving.”

“Why are you phoning me now?” I ask her and get up from my chair, unable to sit still any longer.

“Edward and I…we’re going to start over somewhere else. We can’t…” Her small gasp breaks my heart. “There are just too many memories in Shropshire, Laura. But I felt—well, we both did, and it might seem silly—that we needed to reach out to you just one last time and offer our apologies. And to ask you to forgiveus.”

“Forgive you?” I repeat, shocked to my core. “Aileen, I…I killed your son. It was self-defence—it was his life or my own, and Ailith’s, that were on the line. You ought to hate me. Why do you feel you are to blame for what your sondid?”

“Because we didn’t see him for who he really was,” she whispers.

The heartache in her voice breaks me intwo.

“I…I don’t know what tosay.”

My head is spinning, and I get up, reaching for the clasp on the window behind my desk. I need to get my head on straight, or I think I’ll faint. As soon as the fresh air hits my nostrils, I feel more clearheaded again.

“You don’t have to say anything, Laura,” Aileen says softly in my ear. “I hope you’ll accept our apologies.”

I blink furiously, refusing to shed another tear over James or his parents.

“I accept.”

“Thank you, Laura.” The relief in her voice is palpable. “How’s Ailith?” Aileen asks then, taking me completely by surprise.

“She’s good,” I breathe. “Beautiful. Kind. Spunky,” I laugh softly. “Growing up so fast. You know how it is with children, yeah?”

“Yes, I do. Goodbye, Laura. I hope you’ll find happiness again. You deservethat.”

A crazy idea takes root in myhead.

“Wait,” I raise my voice, almost shouting. “If…” I hesitate, not sure if this is a goodidea.

“Yes?” she asks, the puzzlement clear in her voice.

“I can’t make any promises,” I start, weighing my words carefully. “But text me your email address, and I’ll think about sending you some photos of Ailith from time totime.”

“You’d do that?” Her voice trembles so hard, I can hardly make themout.

My mind’s already made up, but I don’t tell herthat.

“Maybe.” I blink as I look down at the courtyard and watch Ailith walking her pony, Lucy, out to the paddock. “She’s still your granddaughter, Aileen.”

Silence falls between us once again, and as I wait patiently for Aileen to make up her mind, a taxi pulling up our driveway grabs my attention.

“I have to go,” I start and turn to mydoor.

“I’ll text you,” Aileen finally replies.

“Good luck to you and Edward,” I sigh into the phone.

“Thank you. Goodbye, Laura.”

“Goodbye.”