‘Something like that.’ Heather smiled sweetly at her girls. ‘Anyway, I didn’t ask you both to come in to talk about Loretta; there’s something I need to do.’ She shook her head and slowly reached for her glasses and a folded piece of paper that lay on the table. The clock ticked loudly on the wall.
‘This . . . this is a little bit odd, but I’ve been given my instructions.’ She managed a small smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. ‘I have a letter to read to you, so pop another log on the fire and both get comfy. And don’t speak until I’ve finished – that’s part of my instruction: “Don’t let them speak until you’ve finished.” It says it right here.’ She pointed at the sheet of paper now nestling in her hands.
‘A letter from who?’ Ruby asked the question Merrin had wanted to, before putting a cushion behind her back on the sofa while Merrin did as she was asked and jumped up and retrieved a log from the wicker basket with the frayed edge and tossed it into the grate, before settling back under the blanket.
Heather held her gaze and answered slowly. ‘It’s . . . it’s from your dad. A letter from your dad.’
‘Oh!’ Merrin felt her stomach fold with loss and didn’t know if she could bear to listen. Ruby whimpered softly and buried her face in her hands.
Heather Kellow cleared her throat and began.
Bloody doctors! I told them this heart has faced storms, the wildest seas you can imagine, and even the wrath of my missus when I’ve come home late and dinner is spoilt! It’s seen me right every day of my life and now they’re telling me it’s failing? Load of old baloney! But just in case, I figured I’d better get some stuff down on paper and send a copy off to our shark of a solicitor!
Heather paused to catch her breath, and looked briefly at her and Ruby sitting close together as she smoothed the letter in her palm. The wood in the grate flared into life. Merrin, like her sister, was in tears before her mother read another word. The ache to see her dad was physical.
My Girls, this is a letter I don’t want to write; in fact, I hate writing all letters, as you know, and I ain’t too keen on receiving them, neither. But such is my love for you all I will give it my best. First thing to say, that Dr Levington is a born idiot! I need to put that in writing so that when I might find these sheets of paper tucked away in my bedside drawer as I wait for me telegram from our trusty monarch, I can rightfully say, ‘I told you so!’ But that aside, Levington reckons me old ticker is on the blink. I did suggest a good old squirt of WD40, as in my experience it fixes most things, but he looked at me like I was the idiot, if you can believe that!
Heather shook her head and took a moment, as if to let a chirp of happiness form in her breast. Ruby let out a half-laugh and Merrin joined her. It was some skill that Ben had: the ability to make them laugh in this, the saddest of moments, to raise their spirits and offer some small relief when they needed it the most.
All joking aside. What will be will be, my loves. I been doing a lot of thinking recently and I know I would be hard pushed to say which was the prettiest sunset I’ve ever seen, the best day of fishing, the best roast potato or the sweetest pint in the pub – all of these things I love! But I can, without a moment of hesitation, tell you when I am the happiest: and it’s when I am sat at our little table with a fire in the grate and your three faces in front of me.
Merrin looked towards the table and saw her dad sitting there, smiling at them all. Her loss spilt from her – a pure and all-consuming thing that left her feeling wretched. Ruby reached for her hand and they sat, hand in hand, while their mother continued to read aloud.
Heather, my girl and my love, what did I do right to get you, eh? Something, that’s for sure. Marrying you has meant a blessed life and the truth is, if I lived from now until the end of time and told you every second of every day how much I loved you, it would still not come close to conveying just how much. But I do, Heather. I love you beyond words, beyond life and I always will. Thank you for loving me. It is surely the greatest gift you can bestow upon one another: to love and be loved.
Her voice caught and she coughed to clear her throat, speaking through her tears.
This, this was the glorious love that Merrin wanted to wait for. The words were honest and moving: he would love her beyond life . . . It was beautiful and he was right: to give and receive such love was the greatest gift.
Ruby Mae – my feisty little Ruby Mae. How I love you, my firstborn. You have been a bundle of delight since the moment you landed in our lives! You amaze me. You’re strong and sharp and I don’t think there is a situation in the whole world that can get you down for long. You have made me laugh on more days than you haven’t, and what a gift is that. Always there to keep an eye on your mum and sister – I know you are going to be the best mum to your little ’un. What a lucky little babby to choose you and that great lump Jarvis. He’s a good man; I love him like my own and I must admit I’ll rest a little easier knowing he’s holding your hand. I’ve left him Sally-Mae in my will so he can build up the business into the fleet he dreams of and do his best to keep the Kellows and the Cardys in fish for generations to come! And to you, Rubes, I leave the number two cottage, your home. Yours on paper now too. Official.
‘Oh, my God!’ Ruby’s hand flew over her mouth as she took great gulps of air to fuel her sob. ‘I can’t believe it!’
‘You deserve it, Ruby. Jarv, too. It’s wonderful.’ Merrin gripped her sister’s hand.
‘Thank you, Dad!’ Ruby sobbed.
Her mum smiled at Ruby, and Merry wondered what he might have to say to her and braced herself as Heather continued.
And Merrin Mercy, my littlest. I love you, Merry. I love you to the big old moon and back again. I’ll keep this short: I’ve left you the Old Boat Shed with planning permission to turn it into a house.’
The news was shocking and thrilling all at once and she gasped. ‘Really? Oh, Dad! I can’t believe it! Mum, I . . . I don’t know what to say!’