Page 39 of The Inn on Bluebell Lane

“Thank you,” Ellie said quietly. She felt even more encouraged, and grateful for Gwen’s involvement. She could wait a little while longer, she decided. Hopefully, Matthew would decide for himself when he was ready to talk. She gestured to the teacups by the sink. “Shall I wash these?”

“Yes,” Gwen replied with a smile, “and I can dry.”

They worked in companionable silence for a few moments; from upstairs, they heard a few thumps, followed by laughter. Gwen smiled at the sound, glancing at Ellie, who smiled back.

“It’s nice to feel this house is properly lived in again,” Gwen said. “It’s been just me for so long, with only guests for company, and they’re not the same as family.”

“No. I don’t suppose they are.” Ellie paused, feeling the need to say something more, continue their newfound honesty and sharing. “I do hope we’re not too much trouble, Gwen. This is an adjustment for you too, I know, in a different way, but a challenging one all the same. I don’t know if I could have a family of six invading my space so thoroughly!”

“Yes, it is an adjustment,” Gwen allowed, “but I’m so glad to have you here. Truly.” She bit her lip, and Ellie saw how troubled she looked for a second, before she forced a smile to her lips.

“Is everything all right?” Ellie asked impulsively. She’d been meaning to figure out why Gwen had been distracted, but she’d never dared to ask so openly. Now, considering the strides they’d just made, she would. “Is there something worrying you?”

Gwen jerked a little, as if startled, and Ellie felt a tender concern for this woman who had given them so much.

“Gwen…?” she prompted, her voice gentle. “You can tell me, that is… if you want to.” Although she had no idea what her mother-in-law might say.

Gwen took a steadying breath and then laid down the damp dish towel, folding it carefully over the railing of the Aga, her gaze lowered. She squared her shoulders as if she had to steel herself for whatever was next and Ellie waited, her heart lurching with trepidation as she wondered just what was going on.

“Actually,” Gwen began carefully as she lifted her head and looked directly at Ellie, “everything isn’t all right. I’ve been trying to find a way to tell everyone, but the truth is I’ve been too scared. I was going to speak to Matthew or Sarah, but I’ve never managed to find a moment. I should have, though. I should have made the time, but I didn’t.”

Ellie’s heart felt as if it were suspended in her chest. Gwen sounded so very serious! What on earth could be going on? “What is it, Gwen?” she asked, bracing herself for whatever news her mother-in-law needed to impart.

“I need to tell you what’s going on.” Gwen nodded slowly, her expression resigned, a shadow of fear in her eyes that alarmed Ellie all the more. “I’m sorry I haven’t before, and I’m afraid it’s something quite serious.”

CHAPTER 21

ELLIE

Something quite serious.

Gwen’s sober words echoed through Ellie’s mind as she stood and stared at her mother-in-law fearfully, a dripping dishcloth in one hand. What could it possibly be?

“Of course,” she finally managed to say when Gwen just continued to look at her with such sorrow. Ellie tossed the cloth into the sink, where it landed with a wet thud. “Anything, Gwen, of course. Should I… should I get Matt?”

“No, no, not just yet.” Gwen gave a trembling little laugh, one hand pressed to her cheek. “I’ll need to tell him and Sarah too, of course, but right now I think I can only manage one person.”

And that one person was her? Ellie’s stomach swooped at the thought of whatever Gwen was going to tell her, as well as the responsibility of being the one to hear it first and to respond. She and Gwen had made some personal strides in their rather fraught relationship this afternoon, but she didn’t know if she was ready for this… whatever this was. But it seemed Gwen wanted to tell her, and that, she told herself, was a privilege.

“Of course,” she said again. She gestured to the table. “Shall we… shall we sit down?”

Gwen nodded and they both sat at the big table in the center of the room. Outside, the rain had stopped and twilight was falling, the sky darkening to violet as the last of the watery sunlight streamed through the windows. Toby trotted in and, with an audible groan, lay himself down in front of the Aga. From upstairs, a few more thuds sounded, followed, thankfully, by more laughter, and then Ellie heard Matthew calling, “What’s going on up there?”

She tensed, afraid he was annoyed by the noise, but then she heard his own answering laughter as he headed upstairs, and she relaxed, relieved by the little exchange, before turning back to Gwen and seeing how worried and sad she looked.

“What do you need to tell me, Gwen?” she asked gently.

Gwen sat very still, her hands folded on the table in front of her, her expression turning composed, or perhaps just resolute. What on earth was she going to say? Ellie couldn’t even bear to think.

“I don’t know where to begin,” Gwen finally said after a moment, managing a shaky laugh. “So, I suppose I might as well just come out and say it. I… I have… cancer. Breast cancer. I found out last week.”

“Oh, Gwen.” Ellie’s stomach swooped again as she gazed at her mother-in-law in sorrowful dismay. Based on everything Gwen had—and hadn’t—said in the last few minutes, she realized she’d suspected something like this, but it still came as a terrible shock. Tentatively, she reached out to touch Gwen’s hand, and to her surprise and gratification, Gwen gripped it tightly for a second before she released it, smiling almost in apology. “I’m so, so sorry,” Ellie said quietly.

Gwen nodded, her expression now definitely resolute, her lips set in a line, her hands folded together once more. “I put off doing or thinking about it for too long, I know. I made the appointment, but then I didn’t call them back… it just felt easier to pretend it wasn’t happening, especially with so much else going on.” She shook her head wearily. “Oh, it doesn’t matter now, the whys and whats of it all.” She shrugged as a sigh escaped her. “But there’s no putting it off now. I start chemotherapy next week.”

Ellie swallowed, trying to feel for the right words. “That’s good, then,” she said finally. “Starting treatment is always good.”

“Yes, although the side effects of chemotherapy all sound rather dreadful, from what I’ve read.” Gwen offered her a watery smile. “I’m certainly not looking forward to that. But, yes. It’s a necessary step forward.” She glanced down at her folded hands. “I know I should have told you before. And Matthew and Sarah.”