Duncan and Amanda arrived at the home of Dr Anne Lindsay. It was a nice, modest home that radiated warmth and a subtle artistic aesthetic, as if the designer wanted to make a statement, but not bowl an observer over with it. A well appointed lawn and shrubbery decorated the place.
Anne was waiting for them on the front porch, her daughter sitting with her. Anne smiled at them and hugged them both tightly, gesturing them to have a seat on the steps. Duncan then steeled himself to explain what happened. He and Amanda traded places in the telling, watching Anne's face take on astonishment, sadness and sympathy as she listened.
She looked at them sorrowfully and said, "I'm so sorry. I wish it could have ended differently."
"Yeah," Duncan said horsely, Amanda tearing up.
"You have kids?" Mary spoke up, her brown eyes expectantly.
"I do," Amanda smiled. "I have pictures. Do you want to see them?"
Mary nodded.
Amanda produced the pictures they had taken in Salizbury. While she was showing them, Mary noticed the stone Celtic cross Amanda was wearing around her neck, tied with a silver chain.
"May I see that?" Mary asked. Amanda took it off her neck and handed it to Mary.
"Wow, where did you get this?" Mary asked.
"It was a gift from my children," Amanda said.