A Beautiful Forever

chapter 31

Paige

“So, your father and I noticed that you’ve been looking at flats in the paper. Are you thinking of moving out?” my mother asks as we

sit in the waiting room at the hospital as we wait to see a counsellor.

At first, I started seeing one on my own before it was suggested that my mother accompany me occasionally so we can talk through

how her choices have affected my life.

“Mother, don’t call him that please. He doesn’t get the title ‘father’ when I had to track him down in my twenties. Call him Daniel.”

“I’m sorry Paige; I didn’t mean anything by it. It’s just that we were wondering if we could help you, especially considering your

circumstances now.”

“I don’t know if I want your help, besides, I have to get a job first,” I state, knowing that I’ll need to call Andrea for a reference. She’s

going to pitch a fit at me for not telling her I was still in the UK.

“Well, the help’s there if you want it... I have something to tell you Paige, I um, have money that I put aside for you – in case I ever

found you again. After the divorce, I sold my partnership in the firm and created a trust fund for you. It’s not a huge amount, but it’s

enough to live off, if you invest it wisely.”

Reaching into her handbag she pulls out an envelope that contains the paperwork for a fund in my name.

“I don’t know what to say…” I tell her, quietly scanning the documents.

“You don’t have to say anything, it’s the least I could do to make up for things – not that I think it does, I just – I just wanted to make

sure you had something.”

“Thank you,” I whisper noting the start date of the fund. She’s been holding it for me for almost nine and a half years.





Elliot


“There’s some mail for you on your bed,” my mother informs me as I walk through the front door of her house after work and find her

in the kitchen slicing up a bread stick to go with what smells like a beef casserole for dinner.

“Thanks mum,” I say dropping a kiss on the top of her head and pinching the crust the moment she butters it and drops it in the

napkin lined basket. “Is Steve home yet?” I ask as I walk towards the staircase leading to my room.

“He is, he’s out in the garage checking the engine of the car, he said it’s making a funny noise. He’ll be in for dinner though,” she

says as she pulls the curtain to the side in the kitchen calling out the window. “Five minutes Steve!”

“I’ll be down in a few,” I tell her bounding up the stairs three at a time until I reach the landing and enter my room. On the bed, I find a

small pile of mail with yellow redirection stickers on the envelopes indicating that they were all forwarded from my flat to here.

Flicking through the pile, I find a mobile phone bill, my bank statement, some junk that I don’t care about and finally, an envelope with

the UK Border Agency logo printed on it.

My breath catches in my throat as I stare at it, knowing that this is my answer.

“Please be yes,” I whisper to it, praying that I’ve been approved.

When I pull out the documents familiar to me after the last time I was granted a visa, I can’t contain myself “YES!” I yell out racing

back downstairs to share my news.

“What was all that about?” Steve asks from the back sliding door.

“I got approved!” I rush over and hug my mother, picking her up and spinning her around as she laughs at my behaviour.

“That’s fantastic Elliot,” my mum says smiling up at me as I set her down.

Offering me his hand in congratulations, Steve shakes mine as he beams at me. “I’m gonna miss seeing you mate,” he says.

“Me too mate; I'm going to miss both of you,” I tell him honestly.

“Don’t go all soppy you two, that’s my job,” my mother cuts in. “Let’s have dinner, I’ll open a bottle of wine to celebrate.”

“Is the computer on?” I ask as they move towards the kitchen.

“Yes it is, sweetheart – let me guess; you can’t wait to book your flight?”

Grinning at her, I wink and disappear into the study to buy my ticket. Suddenly, the whole world is so much more wonderful to me. I'm

going back, in only two weeks - I’m going back!