Finding Home by Kate Field (read book .txt) 📗

have to live in the same county. That’s the beauty of family. He’ll be your brother wherever you are and whatever you do. He has his own life. You’re allowed yours too.’

‘But wouldn’t Dad have wanted us to be here together? I don’t want to let him down.’

‘He would have wanted you to be happy, that’s all. And he would have been so proud of who you are, Mim. You could never let him down.’ Carol took Mim’s hands in hers. ‘Your dad lived and died full of regret over what he’d missed. Please don’t do the same.’

Should she stay or should she go? It was the same dilemma, only this time it was the opposite way round as she tried to decide whether her future lay in Lancashire or Devon. She hadn’t expected to make the decision again; she’d been determined to make it work in Blackpool, whatever it took, and she’d given it her best shot. But Heather had told her to listen to her heart and she couldn’t ignore what it was saying any longer. Bea’s words about Bill echoed in her thoughts. Mim had lived without money, lived without a roof over her head, but this challenge had defeated her. She couldn’t live without Corin.

She dreaded telling Lucas after he had made such an effort to find her. She waited until they both had a free evening and invited him to the local pub. They were on their second round of drinks before she plucked up the courage.

‘There’s something I have to tell you,’ she said, clutching her pint glass in both hands. This was even harder than she had thought. What if he hated her for leaving him, after such a short time? ‘I have to go back to Devon. I’m sorry.’

‘You’re moving back?’

‘Yes. I know I agreed to live here and I’ve loved staying with you and your mum, don’t think I haven’t, and I hate to be letting you down, but…’ Mim stopped. Lucas was grinning at her, which wasn’t the reaction she had expected.

‘It’s because of Corin, isn’t it?’ Mim nodded. Lucas grinned even more widely. ‘I knew he was your boyfriend.’

‘He isn’t…’

‘It was obvious to me that something was going on and I only met him twice.’

‘Obvious to you and everyone except me.’ Mim laughed. ‘I really am sorry. You’re still going to hear from me all the time, though. You’re stuck with me. And if you ever fancy starting a new life in Devon…’

‘No, I’m settled here. I wouldn’t say no to a few free holidays, though. I’m saving up to move in with Jessie as soon as we can afford it.’ He smiled. ‘Don’t look so guilty. I’m glad I found you. You’re all right.’

Everything was going to be okay. Mim couldn’t stop smiling. For years, she’d wanted to be part of a family more than anything in the world; now she had two, one created with blood, and one chosen with love. She was luckier than she had ever thought possible. She was sad to be leaving Lucas but it didn’t compare with the devastation she had felt when driving away from the Howards. And the sadness couldn’t survive against the overwhelming excitement of seeing Corin again. She remembered the moment he had said he loved her – the dizzying sense of hope and possibility – and it all came flooding back. She couldn’t wait to be with him.

She drove back to Devon at first light on a Friday morning in early August, trying to avoid the holiday rush. She ticked off the signs as she had done on a dark winter’s evening seven months ago: Birmingham, Bristol, Exeter… Despite the toil of a long and busy journey, her heart swelled as she pulled on to the country lanes she had come to know so well, noticing how green everywhere had become in her absence, and how the hedgerows danced with flowers. She knew beyond all doubt, as she drove down the hill into Littlemead and saw the sea glittering in the distance, that she had made the right decision. This was where she belonged.

She wasn’t sure of her welcome at Vennhallow, despite Bea’s words when she left, so she parked in the village car park, grabbed her bag and set off along the coastal path towards the caravan field. The sun was already warm and she stopped to catch her breath at the top of the hill. She would never tire of this view. This was the seaside she loved and that filled her heart with joy.

There was activity around the caravans: a couple of young children were chasing each other through the field and outside the accessible caravan a man in a wheelchair and his companion were eating breakfast. There were no signs of life at Mim’s former home and the sign bearing her name still hung from the veranda, so she unlocked the door carefully and peered in, wary of disturbing anyone inside. The place was empty but spotlessly clean, and a vase of fresh flowers sat on the table, which was a mystery; she hadn’t told anyone she was coming back. She locked the door again and set off across the lawn towards Corin’s house.

She was only halfway when she saw him, striding across the grass with Dickens scampering at his side, just as she had pictured him so often during the lonely hours in Blackpool. The moment he saw her was obvious. He froze and then he ran towards her, scooped her up in his arms and swung her round. If she hadn’t already been sure she loved him, the expression on his face would have sealed it. As Lia might have said, he looked as if he might literally burst with happiness. And it was all for her, Mim Brown. That look of love was for her and it was unbelievable and magical and something she wanted to see every day for the rest of her life.

‘I love