frustration out on my fellow drivers, I leave the car in the factory unit and walk around to the front, my unease settling with every step I take into Becker’s sanctuary.
When I break into the courtyard, I stop for a moment and breathe the last piece of air I need to bring me back down to calm.
‘Is it frogspawn?’
I look across to the fountain where Mrs Potts is hunched over the water with old Mr H, her nose wrinkled.
‘Don’t be daft, Dorothy.’ Becker’s grandfather pokes at the surface of the water with his posh walking stick. ‘Frogs wouldn’t take up residence in a fountain, and where would they come from, anyway?’
‘They might have flown here.’
‘Flying frogs?’ His old face crinkles in disbelief.
‘You can get flying frogs,’ she protests on a shrug.
‘They don’t fly, Dorothy. They glide, and you won’t find any in central London.’
She raises an indignant nose. ‘Then what do you suppose it is?’
‘Some kind of algae, I expect.’
I laugh as I watch the old pair. Yes, I’m back in my sanctuary, and it’s such a relief. ‘Afternoon,’ I call, and they both swing around.
‘Eleanor.’ Old Mr H leans on his stick for support. He’s smiling brightly, his old hazel eyes flashing with sparks of true happiness, so much so, I have to blink to protect my eyes from the brightness. I cast my eyes over to Mrs Potts and notice she has a fond smile gracing her lips, too. They both look significantly peaceful. Accepting.
‘So let’s see it, then,’ the old man says, hobbling towards me.
He reaches for my hand, and I remain still and quiet while he gazes down at the ring. I’m blushing, too. I can’t help it, and I look across to Mrs Potts to see her palm resting on her bosom, tears in her eyes. ‘It looks beautiful on you,’ old Mr H whispers wistfully.
I smile lightly. ‘I’m so happy you and Becker have sorted out your differences.’
‘Me too,’ he admits. ‘And if someone would have said to me two months ago that my wayward grandson would be asking my permission to put this ring on a lady’s finger, I think I would have keeled over.’ He reaches for my cheek and gives it an affectionate rub. ‘I’m glad that lady is you. I’m so proud of him, Eleanor, despite some of the stunts he’s pulled. Despite him misleading me. He’s a passionate, devoted man, and you’ve enhanced that.’
He needs to stop or I might cry.
‘That ring is precious,’ Mrs Potts pipes up. ‘It’s a symbol of how precious you are to Becker boy.’
I blink my eyes, stepping back when Mr H finally relinquishes his hold of me. ‘I’m a bit overwhelmed,’ I admit.
Both smile at me knowingly. ‘I found that emerald in Cambodia,’ Mr H says. ‘It was 1952. I set it in that band when I proposed to my Mags.’
‘Worth three million!’ Mrs Potts chimes, and I baulk at them, my hand naturally covering the precious gem. Just wrap my hand in cotton wool, why don’t you? Three million?
‘Good God,’ I breathe.
‘Welcome to the family, dear,’ Mrs Potts says, coming over and throwing her arms around me. Her big bosom pushes into me, her squeeze fierce and so meaningful.
‘I’m glad I’m here,’ I admit, cuddling her equally as hard. My God, how did I get so lucky?
‘Enough of that.’ Mr H pulls us apart on a laugh. ‘Eleanor has work to do.’
I straighten, avoiding their eyes so they can’t see the happy tears threatening to escape. ‘Do you know where Becker is?’ I ask, starting towards the Grand Hall, wiping at my eyes discreetly.
‘He’s not back yet.’
He’s not? But it’s nearly three. ‘Okay, I’ll get—’ I’m interrupted mid-sentence when my phone rings, and I look down to see Mum’s calling. It reminds me that I still need to book my train tickets for my visit home. God, I can’t wait to see her face when I tell her. ‘I’ll be getting on.’ I hold up my phone as I carry on my way. ‘Hey, Mum.’
‘Hi, sweetheart.’ She sounds as cheerful as she always does these days. I can’t help but smile, my happiness for her drowning out the sadness that it’s not my father who’s making her happy. ‘I’m making plans for when you come home.’
I hurry to Becker’s office as I listen to the intricate schedule of activities that she has planned. I’d love to tell her my news now, but I really want to do it face to face. See