Everything is Beautiful by Eleanor Ray (best classic romance novels txt) 📕

‘And it’s a gorgeous day, so I’ve packed a change of clothes and towels for the boys in case they want to go in the paddling pool.’

‘Big splash,’ said Daniel. His hand reached up. ‘Ring the bell?’ ‘Not yet,’ said Richard. Charles handed Amy her picture back and she slipped it into its envelope.

‘Not yet,’ repeated Richard, at the small hand reaching up. ‘Patience.’

Patience, thought Amy. She wondered what would be her reward.

*

The trees had grown and the season had changed. There was a playground where there had once just been the corner of a digger. But as Amy stood, contemplating the view, she knew this was the right place. It was still several hours from summer’s sunset, but there was no mistaking the skyline, the contours of the hills. This was where the picture had been taken.

She sat on the park bench that looked out on to the view and closed her eyes. It might have been peaceful here once, but now the sounds of children frolicking in the pool filled her ears.

‘I’ve walked around,’ said Richard. Amy opened her eyes. ‘But I can’t see anything. Any idea why the picture would be of this place?’

‘None,’ said Amy. ‘I’ve never been to this park with either of them. I thought I might recognise something – a statue, or a plaque . . . ’ Her voice trailed off. She didn’t know what she’d been hoping for.

Yes, she did. Tim, standing there, waiting for her. Waiting in this spot for eleven years.

She knew he wouldn’t be, of course she did. She clutched at the ring around her neck.

‘Maybe the letter explained it,’ said Richard. ‘Perhaps if we have another look, now we’re here? I feel like there should be instructions to dig somewhere. Or something hidden in the third rock from the great oak tree.’

‘I know every legible word by heart,’ replied Amy. ‘There’s nothing like that.’

‘I suppose not,’ said Richard.

‘Maybe I’ve seen too many movies.’ ‘Maybe,’ said Amy.

‘How was your date last night?’ asked Richard, suddenly.

Amy turned to him, surprised. He was picking at the edge of his fingernail.

‘Terrible,’ replied Amy.

‘I’m sorry,’ said Richard. But he was smiling.

They sat in silence, watching the boys. Charles was hanging precariously from a tall rope structure that looked to be designed for a giant spider. He swung his leg up and made his way higher. Daniel was in the paddling pool, apparently doing an impression of a snapping crocodile to shrieks of delight from his would-be victims.

‘You have very lovely children,’ said Amy, words she thought she would never utter to anyone.

‘I’m very proud of the boys,’ said Richard.

‘You should be,’ said Amy. She watched Charles swing himself across the ropes and slide down a pole. He looked around, then ran to the paddling pool to join his brother. He received a huge splash of greeting.

‘I always thought we’d have more,’ said Richard, his eyes also on his sons. Amy realised it felt easier for them to talk this way, without looking at each other. Like a confessional box. ‘I wanted a big family. We both did. I was an only child, and I’m glad the boys have each other,’ said Richard. ‘It’s no fun being lonely.’ He glanced at Amy, who felt his gaze on her ear. She looked further in the opposite direction to avoid eye contact, which she felt could break this confessional spell. ‘Nina said she wanted kids,’ he added. ‘One day.’ He paused. ‘But that was before she met the boys.’

‘Have you heard from her?’ asked Amy.

‘No,’ said Richard. ‘Maybe I should let the boys decide who I date next,’ he said. ‘I’ve not done well on my own.’

‘Me neither,’ said Amy, realising that was an understatement. She glanced at him just as he looked back at her and their eyes locked.

Amy thought she felt a moment pass between them. Maybe she hadn’t. Amy looked away. Both boys were being crocodiles now, crawling around on their bellies at the edge of the pool. ‘So what now?’ asked Richard.

Amy wasn’t sure what he meant, so she took the easy option. ‘The ring was a dead end,’ she said. ‘I know Tim bought it, before he disappeared, but that’s it. The letter is illegible. The photo led me here, but I don’t see why. There’s only one other thing I can think of, but there’s a problem.’

‘What’s the thing?’ asked Richard. If he was disappointed in the turn the conversation had taken, he didn’t show it.

‘A box,’ said Amy. ‘When they first went missing, I kept press clippings and my diary and notes about what people said all together. But it didn’t lead me anywhere. I was wondering whether it might shed some light on the ring, or the letter, or even this place.’

‘Does it?’

‘I can’t find it,’ admitted Amy. ‘It’s somewhere in my spare room, but . . . ’ She hesitated.

‘Spare rooms can be crowded,’ finished Richard, gently. ‘How about I help?’

‘What?’ said Amy.

‘Help you look for it? We could sort through, maybe clear out—’

‘You can’t throw any of my belongings away,’ said Amy quickly. In the early days, various people had suggested they could ‘help’. They couldn’t.

‘I wasn’t going to,’ replied Richard. ‘Amy, I know you keep what you need to. That you’ve got a reason for collecting what you do. I was just suggesting another pair of eyes.’

Amy hesitated. It had been a long time since she’d allowed anyone into her home.

‘I don’t think you realise . . . ’ she began.

‘Let me help you,’ said Richard. ‘Maybe, once you’ve found this box, you’ll be ready to move on?’

‘I’ll think about it,’ said Amy.

‘Great,’ said Richard. ‘In the meantime, join us for dinner tonight? I know the boys would love it, and we can have that stew you brought over.’

‘Slow-cooked sausage and vegetable cassoulet,’ said Amy.

‘That’s what I said,’ laughed Richard.

Daniel came bounding up to them. He was soaked through and shook water off himself like a dog.

‘Ice cream,’ he said, just before they even