The Summer Seekers

“It’s already hot.”

“We’ll do this quickly.” Martha found the right angle, gave Kathleen a cue to start talking, and recorded a piece. “Such a pro. You never fumble or stumble.”

“Where next?”

“We’re heading to Winslow, Arizona.” Martha started to sing and Kathleen lifted a hand.

“We had an agreement—I suffer your excruciating playlist, providing you don’t sing along with it.”

“It’s not excruciating—I’ve chosen each song specifically for its relevance to where we’re going. And after Winslow, we’re headed to the Grand Canyon, via the Meteor Crater which is fifty thousand years old which is definitely older than you, Kathleen. We’ve booked an extra day at the Grand Canyon. Woohoo! And Josh has got us rooms with a view so you can sit on your balcony and watch the sunrise and sunset.”

She’d talk to Liza, Kathleen thought. She’d find a way to share the view with her daughter.

“Sounds like a perfect day,” Josh said and Martha shook her head.

“You won’t be sitting anywhere. You’ll be

river rafting.”

“I will not be river rafting.”

“It’s all booked. I’ve blown the last of my savings, so it would be churlish of you to back out now.”

“Martha!” Josh looked exasperated. “I hate water. You know I hate water.”

“Red would have wanted you to do this.”

“I would have refused.”

“And he would have found a way to persuade you.” Martha stood on tiptoe and kissed his cheek. “It’s amazing what you can enjoy when you push yourself out of your comfort zone.”

That was true, Kathleen thought, delighted to see that they’d reached the kissing stage. Although technically Josh hadn’t kissed Martha. It had been the other way round. And Martha was a naturally tactile and demonstrative person of course, but still...

Would she have asked Liza to read those letters if it hadn’t been for Martha?

Probably not. She was eternally grateful to her, and wished her nothing but good things.

Photographs and filming finished, they climbed back into the car and headed onward on their journey through Arizona.

Kathleen suggested sampling the playlist, much to the delight of her much younger companions.

Martha’s head bobbed in time with the music and occasionally she started singing and then remembered that she wasn’t supposed to be singing and clamped her mouth shut.

Kathleen smiled. Even in a short time they’d found a comfortable routine and there was something soothing in that.

The crushing homesickness had passed, fortunately, and she felt excited about the day ahead. She’d see Arizona and California, as she’d always wanted to. Oakwood Cottage would be waiting for her when she’d finished her trip, and she’d appreciate it all the more for her absence.

In the meantime it was a comfort to know that Liza was there, walking on the beach that she thought of as her own, pottering round her garden, tending her plants.

In Winslow, Martha found their hotel easily and they parked and checked in.

It was built in the style of a hacienda, with both a Spanish and Mexican feel.

Revived after lunch, Kathleen joined them to explore the town of Winslow.

Martha waved her phone in front of Kathleen’s face, bubbling with excitement. “Look at this! You’re trending!”

“Trending?” Kathleen, struggling with the heat, removed an old-fashioned fan from her bag and opened it.