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She sets off for the kitchen, leaving just me and Iona in the living room. Grace is away catching up with Emily.
Soon the hum of a warming kettle reaches us.
Iona leans closer to me and murmurs, “So, I was speaking to Da earlier.”
Maw has never banned us from talking about Da around her; it’s simply an unspoken agreement between me and Iona that we don’t bring him up while she’s within earshot.
“What does he want? I already sent him a message saying Merry Christmas.”
“He’d like to meet up with you in person, Aidan, and he’s keen to meet Grace too. He thought, with a baby on the way, this could be an opportunity for a fresh start. He wants to be a part of his granddaughter’s life.”
I let out a sigh. “Of course he does.”
“Give him a call and get something arranged. And also, don’t shoot the messenger.”
“Fair point—sorry. Okay, I’ll speak to Da. Anyway, when is it you’re heading off to see Richard?”
Iona’s lips curl into a smirk. “Oh, trying to get rid of me, are you? And here was me thinking we were spending quality family time together.”
“I’m not trying to get rid of you! Just making conversation.”
“When have you and I ever talked to one another about our relationships?”
“We haven’t, but Grace and I are having a baby, and you and Richard have been together for quite a while now, right? As Bob Dylan would say, the times they are a-changin’.”
Iona smiles at this, but then the front door creaks open and slams shut again.
“Aidan?” It’s Grace. Her voice is shaky and high-pitched. Something isn’t right.
I jump to my feet and stride into the hall. She stands there, eyes wide, a nervous tremble to her lips.
“What’s wrong?” My first thought is it’s connected to the baby, and my chest tightens.
“It’s . . . Mum.”
“What’s happened? Is she okay?”
Grace’s breathing is shallow and punctuated by slight gasps. I wrap her in a hug and hold her close.
“You . . . you know how she’s been supporting a friend?” Grace says. “A friend who received some bad news about her health? Well, it turns out that was a lie. Mum’s the one who received the bad news: she was diagnosed with thyroid cancer a week ago. She’s been in London on her own while David and I have been here having fun. She didn’t come to Bannock for Christmas because she ‘didn’t want to bring down the mood’. I feel so guilty!”
Sniffing, Grace pulls back and gazes up at me. She bites her lip, her eyes glistening. “Why didn’t she tell us what was going on?”
My heart aches at seeing her upset like this. “Oh, Grace. I’m so sorry.” I gently rub my hand up and down her arm. “What can I do?”
She shakes her head. “You don’t have to do anything. David’s outside in the car. There’s a flight leaving soon, and he was able to book us a couple of seats. We’ve already packed—I’m here to say a quick goodbye.”
The suddenness of this catches me off-guard, but she’s doing the right thing by going straight to see her maw.
“I’d like to come too, if you’ll have me?”
Grace takes my hand and squeezes it. “Given Mum doesn’t even know I’m pregnant yet, I don’t think that’s a good idea. We’ll keep in touch, though, yeah?”
“Aye, of course.”
She offers a brave smile. “I’m sorry to cut my trip short, but I really better go now—we can’t miss the flight. Please say goodbye to your mother and sister for me.”
“I will, and pass on our love to your maw. We’ll be thinking of her.”
