Free Lost Innocence by Susan Lewis Page B

important.’
    ‘Do you? Be honest now.’
    ‘She’s OK.’ Alicia wouldn’t confide any more than that, since Darcie was likely to blurt it out to Nat. Not that she had anything against Summer, who’d certainly been there for Nat these last few months, it was simply that, like Craig, she could have wished Nat wasn’t involved in such a serious relationship when he was still so young.
    ‘Are you going to let them sleep together?’ Darcie asked.
    Stifling a laugh, Alicia said, ‘He hasn’t asked if they can, so I’m going to make up my old room for Summer and Uncle Robert’s for Nat.’
    ‘So that means you’re sleeping in Gran’s?’
    Alicia’s smile faltered as she looked around the familiar room, burnished now in a rich golden glow from the morning sunlight trying to blaze its way through the coppery curtains. It had made sense for her to start using it right away, but even after two nights in her mother’s sumptuous sleigh bed she was still finding it hard to accept that this was all hers now, or that her mother wasn’t going to come through the door at any moment and be startled to find her there. ‘Yes, I am,’ she confirmed.
    ‘It feels a bit odd, but we’ll soon settle in, all of us.’
    ‘Yeah, I guess so,’ Darcie said, not sounding at all convinced.
    ‘You used to love this house when you were younger,’ Alicia reminded her. ‘You’d plead with me to bring you here.’
    ‘I know, but we didn’t have to live there then. Not that I mind,’ she added hastily, ‘because it’s a really cool place,it’s just that it’s going to be a bit different to living in London, and I’ll miss all my friends.’
    ‘I know, sweetheart,’ Alicia said softly, ‘but you’ll make others, and Verity, or whoever you like, can always come to stay. You can visit them too during the holidays.’
    ‘Yeah,’ Darcie responded flatly.
    She wasn’t stupid, Alicia was thinking, she knew life would move on in London without her, and she’d soon be forgotten, but hopefully, considering her naturally high spirits and easy-going nature, once she was established in her new school she’d be every bit as popular, and happy, as she’d been at St Paul’s.
    ‘So have you seen Uncle Robert yet?’ Darcie asked, changing the subject.
    ‘No. He left a message last night saying he’d like to come over today, if I’m free, but it was too late to call him back.’
    ‘Will Sabrina and Annabelle come with him?’
    ‘He didn’t mention it,’ Alicia replied. Though Darcie was aware that her mother and Sabrina didn’t get along she had no idea why, and Alicia hoped to keep it that way.
    ‘I’d like to see Annabelle when I come,’ Darcie said. ‘She always used to be really nice to me, and she is my cousin, after all. Or kind of, anyway.’
    Realising how important it was to Darcie to make connections, Alicia said, ‘I’m sure she’ll be happy to see you.’ Even if that were true, Alicia knew Sabrina would probably do her utmost to talk Annabelle out of it, but that thorny little issue was for another day; there was no point troubling herself with it now. ‘Have you spoken to Nat this weekend?’ she asked.
    ‘Yeah, yesterday afternoon. It sounds as though his work experience went really well. He says he’s looking forward to spending some time with Jolyon next month too, and apparently Summer’s been on his case to go to Italy with her and her family next… Oh, sorry, Mum, I think I have to go. Verity’s dad’s just come back with all the stuff we need for our picnic so I have to help prepare it. Stay cool, OK? I’m really missing you.’
    ‘I’m missing you too,’ Alicia said, experiencing a powerful urge to wrap her daughter tightly in her arms and never let her go.
    ‘I’ll call tonight if it’s not too late when we get back. Give my love to Nat – and Summer, if you feel you have to. Definitely to Rachel and Una, and to Uncle Robert. Love you, Mum. Love you, love you, love you.’
    ‘Same