Chapter 12

When the trio entered church the next morning, Anita spotted them and broke into a wide grin. Then, catching sight of the ring on Isobel’s finger, she gasped and came dashing down the aisle.

“Tell me that’s an engagement ring!” she exclaimed.

At Isobel’s nod, Anita let out a little squeal of delight and wrapped each of them in a warm, exuberant hug. To Isobel’s own surprise, she didn’t flinch this time.

“I’m so happy for you all,” Anita said, beaming. “We have to talk about this more after the service, but for now—congratulations!” Then, turning to Susie, she added, “And I guess you’re graduating from being a niece to being a daughter.”

“Yes,” Susie said, nodding solemnly. “But I had to give Daddy a nudge for us to get there.”

Anita chuckled. “Sounds like there’s a good story in there. Let’s hear it after the service.”

This time, when Susie tugged them towards the front, neither Raymond nor Isobel resisted. There was something about this morning’s service that felt different—warmer, fuller, almost glowing. They both knew, of course, that a great deal of that feeling came from their new engagement and the fresh hope it had stirred in them. However, they were also aware that deep-seated issues still lingered between them, issues that would take time, patience, and no small amount of grace to work through.

At the end of the service, Susie, as was now her habit, hurried up to the front to say her own prayer, and this time, both Raymond and Isobel followed without hesitation.

“God,” she said earnestly, “thank you so much for answering my prayers and giving me a new mummy. Now help us to become the best family we can be. Amen.”

Anita, who had come up behind them, leaned down with a smile. “God invented families, Susie,” she said gently. “So you can be sure He’ll be with you through all of it—the good times and the hard times.”

Raymond and Isobel didn’t linger too long over morning tea. They had preparations to make for the arrival of their parents later in the day. Housekeeping had been somewhat neglected the previous day in the excitement of bigger things, but dust and clutter don’t tidy themselves.

While it wasn’t technically her house yet, Isobel was keen to make a good impression—particularly on her mother. She felt on edge, knowing this evening could be a pivotal moment in their relationship. Irene was an immaculate housekeeper, the kind of woman who would have dust ask permission before it entered her home. And while Isobel had never been quite as fastidious, she wanted to at least avoid any critical glances.

What she didn’t realise was that Irene was just as anxious about the evening. Their conversations had a way of turning sharp, and Irene always regretted it afterwards—but somehow, in the moment, she couldn’t seem to help herself. She had no idea how to break the pattern, but tonight, she was determined to try. Perhaps this could be the start of something new—or at least the start of a start.

She was willing to see the best in Raymond, even if she didn’t know him. And this new granddaughter Isobel talked about? That part unsettled her more than she cared to admit. It had been a long time since she’d had any real involvement with a child. What if she didn’t know how to connect?

First to arrive in the late afternoon were Ian and Georgina, their easy-going warmth quickly setting a relaxed tone. They were not ones to stand on ceremony and immediately insisted on being called Dad and Mum. At first, Isobel found it a little awkward, but their genuine kindness made it easier. Before long, she slipped into it naturally.

Susie, of course, was the apple of her grandparents’ eye. They regretted not seeing more of her, but distance—and the rising cost of petrol—made frequent visits a challenge. Isobel had prepared a few simple appetisers, which went down well, and a pre-dinner aperitif helped smooth things nicely.