Lauren sighed, realising as much. Sydney’s abrupt departure after the board meeting, coupled with her subsequent radio silence, spoke volumes.
‘Did she say that?’ Lauren said.
‘She didn’t have to. It was written all over her face.’
‘Does she think I had something to do with Mum’s decision?’
Ivy patted Lauren’s hand. ‘Even if she does, she’ll come around when she realises her mistake.’
‘I can’t believe Mum did that. I mean, what was she thinking?’
‘You know your mother loves you dearly—’
‘It doesn’t feel like it when she pulls stunts like that. It feels quite the opposite.’
‘Just trust her, Lauren. She knows what she’s doing.’
‘Is there something wrong, Gran? What aren’t you telling me?’ Lauren asked, sensing there was more beneath the surface.
‘Let’s just say, sometimes we think we see the whole picture, when all we’re really seeing is a tiny piece of the puzzle.’
‘So, you’re saying there is something to know?’
Ivy waved a hand, dismissing the topic. ‘Let’s not waste what little time I have left talking about things that won’t matter in the grand scheme of things.’
Lauren’s heart clenched at the mention of Ivy’s mortality. ‘Gran! Don’t say that. You’re the sprightliest eighty-year-old I know.’
Ivy gave a slight shake of her head, amused. ‘And how many eighty-year-olds do you know?’
Lauren couldn’t help but laugh. ‘All right, you got me there.’
Ivy leaned in and said in a conspiratorial tone, ‘Don’t worry, I don’t even know any eighty-year-olds either, so we’re in the same boat.’
With a wink, she pushed herself up from her chair and made her way to the kitchenette. When she returned, she was carrying two glasses of wine.
Lauren laughed as she took a glass. ‘Gran! You promised Mum you’d given up drinking.’
Ivy took a defiant sip, her eyes sparkling. ‘And as far as she knows, I have. I won’t tell if you won’t.’ Her smile faded a bit. ‘Besides, what else do I have to look forward to these days? Time just seems to blur together since your grandfather passed.’
Guilt twisted like a knife in Lauren’s gut. ‘We should go out more, do things together.’
Ivy waved off her concern. ‘I’m not trying to make you feel bad, sweetheart. I’ve had a wonderful life, lived every day to the fullest. Being alone with my memories now . . . it’s not so terrible.’
‘You’re not alone,’ Lauren insisted, reaching for her hand.
Ivy squeezed her fingers. ‘I know. I have all of you. But losing your grandfather, after sixty beautiful years . . . it leaves a hole nothing else can quite fill.’ She took a deep breath, visibly shaking off the melancholy. ‘But enough about me and my maudlin musings. Drink up and tell me the latest gossip.’
Lauren sipped her wine. ‘There isn’t any.’
Ivy’s eyes narrowed. ‘I may be old, but I’m no fool. There’s something different about you.’
‘Did Syd say something?’ Lauren asked.
‘No, why?’
‘Oh, nothing.’
Ivy leaned forward, a gleam of interest in her eye. ‘So, there is something. Come on, indulge an old woman. Heard any juicy titbits about the staff?’
Lauren hesitated. ‘No . . . but . . .’
‘Yes?’ Ivy pressed.
‘I sort of . . . met someone,’ Lauren said, her cheeks heating. ‘It was totally unexpected. Out of the blue.’
Ivy set her glass down, her expression unreadable. Lauren’s stomach churned with sudden anxiety.
‘Are you disappointed in me?’
Ivy’s eyes were filled with sadness when they met hers. ‘No, Lauren. I could never be disappointed in you. I’m disappointed in myself. I should’ve stood up to your mother when she pressured you to marry Jake. I knew you didn’t love him.’
Lauren shook her head vehemently. ‘Don’t be silly, Gran. It’s not your fault. I could’ve said no, but I didn’t. And in a way, I’m glad. I have Ben, and I wouldn’t trade him for anything.’
Ivy smiled, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes.
‘I’m glad to hear that.’ She leaned in, a mischievous twinkle replacing the sadness. ‘So, tell me about this young man who’s caught your eye.’
‘That’s the thing . . . it’s not a man.’ Lauren paused, but only for a moment. She knew Ivy would never judge her. ‘It’s a woman, Gran.’
