‘What time is the cab bringing Lisa and Ally?’ she asked.
‘Soon. They should be on their way. How are you feeling?’
Mitch let out a deep breath. ‘Nervous, like I’m going on a first date or something. More than that, I feel terrified. I’ve been waiting my whole life for a day like this, hoping, but never imagining it would happen and now … What if she doesn’t like me?’
‘Course she will,’ said Jo. ‘She’s as nervous as you are, and probably thinking the same thing. Come on, let’s go inside and get something cool to drink. I’m roasting.’
‘The house looks old,’ I said as Mitch led us up the steps to the veranda at the front of the main house.
‘It dates back to the 1600s,’ said Mitch as we went inside to a hall with a dark wooden floor, rugs and antique furniture and white walls. It was a cool contrast to the blazing heat outside. Mitch fixed us drinks in a tall kitchen, then we headed back out to the veranda to await Ally and Lisa.
‘We’ll make ourselves scarce when Lisa gets here,’ I said. ‘Private moment.’
Mitch took a few more deep breaths. ‘You don’t have to. Whatever you think best. Oh, I don’t know. I’m so excited to meet her, and agitated at the same time. I’m finding it hard to breathe. I hope they come soon.’ Five minutes later, we glimpsed a black car advancing up the drive and she stood up. ‘Oh god, here they are. Oh …’
Jo and I stood up, ready to go inside. ‘No, no, stay, please,’ said Mitch.
Jo put her arm around Mitch and gave her a reassuring hug.
Mitch made her way down the steps ready to greet the car and, moments later, Ally and Lisa got out.
Mitch only had eyes for Lisa and looked at her searchingly, as if unsure who should make the first move. Lisa looked shy but smiled at her mother who then stepped forward, embraced her and, for a while, they held each other in silence.
‘You’re so beautiful,’ said Mitch when they finally let go of each other. ‘Oh god you look like Jack, your father. I’m so so happy to meet you. I’m sorry I’m crying. I’m so happy.’ She then turned and embraced Ally who had been standing to one side. ‘My lovely Ally. God, I feel emotional!’ Mitch returned to Lisa and put her arm around her shoulder. ‘I … er … How about we take a walk and catch up a little then come back and join the others?’
Lisa nodded. ‘I’d like that. I don’t know where to start. I can’t stop staring at you. Sorry. I mean, you’re my actual mother, my physical mother, it’s weird.’
Mitch smiled at her. ‘It is, isn’t it? But pretty marvellous too. Here I am, I know, I live in a place that is as close to paradise as anyone could ever find, I have a lovely husband and two beautiful boys, your brothers who will come and meet you later; but there was always something missing for me, not something, someone – you.’ Her eyes shone with affection as she spoke. ‘I never stopped thinking of you, Lisa, and wishing I’d never given you away. I had nothing, you see, when you were born – no home, no money; nothing – and I thought Jack had abandoned me as well. I only found out when it was too late that he’d died, too late to get you back. And when you were old enough, I tried to find you, but there was never any news of you. I thought I had to leave you be, that you didn’t want to find me. I tried to understand that, could understand that, but you’ve always been here in my heart, I’m so sorry …’
We were all in tears as Lisa hugged her mother. ‘No need. Don’t be sorry. It’s never too late and look, here I am and here are you.’
‘Hey,’ said Ally, ‘remember the secret of the universe? Remember, Mitch? We were in sixth form. One day you told us all you had the secret and had written it down – I was there and now I’m here. Well now it’s true, everything passes. You were there and now you’re here.’
Mitch looked utterly bewildered. ‘Are you on drugs, Ally?’
Ally cracked up. ‘No, but you were,’ she said quietly.
Mitch took a deep breath and laughed. ‘I have no idea what you’re talking about but I don’t care.’
Mitch fussed around for a few minutes, making sure Ally, Jo and I had everything we needed, then she led Lisa away. Ally, Jo and I lay on the loungers on the veranda sipping cool drinks, chatting and dozing, while Mitch and Lisa walked around the grounds. I watched them in the distance, heads bowed, occasionally stopping to face each other and talk further.
After an hour, we stood up as Mitch and Lisa returned, both looking a lot more at ease and peace.
Mitch skipped up the steps towards me. ‘This is the happiest day of my life. Thank you. Thank you, Sara, for finding Lisa, it’s the greatest gift anyone could have given me and I have this to say … OK, so we weren’t there for each other as friends for so many years, but you came through and did this, this is the best present a friend could ever give me.’ She looked fondly at Lisa then turned to Jo and Ally. ‘Thank you all for coming out here and giving me a second chance.’
I felt ridiculously, overwhelmingly happy. To have been part of their reunion and, although it was clear we needed to have further conversations of our own, to have found a dear old friend again too. I looked at Ally and Jo and we were all tearful again.
‘Group hug,’ said Jo, and we gathered together in a huddle, arms wrapped around each other.
‘Friends
