"Are you smiling at me?" Robert leaned over the crib where little Johnny was laying. He held his finger out for Johnny to grab. He was a darling little boy.

"You never wish you had children of your own?" Anna asked.

"Maybe, I don't know. Never really gave that a thought."

"You are so easy with Johnny, you would have been a wonderful dad."

"That's enough, Anna. We don't want to upset Robert." John said

"Don't worry, I am not sad about it. This is how my life went." Robert smiled. "I wil have to go, I am expected at the office."


Rosamund had temporarily taken over John's job, he was on leave to be with Anna and little Johnny. When Robert entered, she handed him a letter. Robert didn't recognize the handwriting. He walked into his office and opened the envelope.

Dear Robert,

it was 24 years ago, since I last sent you a letter. Maybe you don't remember me, I am Cora from New York. I am not sure why I am writing you. As you know I married Daniel, 22 years ago, we were blessed with three girls. Victoria, who is 21, Tayler, she is 20 and sweet Olivia, she is 19. I finished my art studies and am now a selling artist. Not very well known, but I am selling my paintings. Victoria is studying to become a lawyer, she just got an internship at a big law firm. Tayler wants to become a veterinarian and Olivia wants to do something with sports. I still don't know if she wants to do sports, or be a coach or something. We will find out in the future, I guess.

How are you doing? Did you take over the company from your father? I remember he was training you.

Well, I hope I didn't bother you with my letter. I just wanted to write.

Love Cora.

Robert reread the letter, over and over. Was this real? Why was Cora suddenly writing to him? Should he write back? He walked over to Rosamund. "You will never guess who wrote this letter." He held up the letter.

"Who writes letters these days? I really don't know."

"It is from Cora."

Rosamund frowned, "Cora?"

"The woman I met 24 years ago, when she was on holiday."

"Now, I remember, she's the reason why you are still single."

Robert blushed.

"You never told me that with so many words, but it is clear to me, that she did something with you, and you didn't find that in any other woman. Why is she suddenly writing? "

"I don't know. She just told me about her life and asked how I am doing."

"Write her back. I want to know everything."


Dear Cora,

I have to say, I was surprised by your letter. Of course, I remember you, a woman like you is hard to forget. I am glad to hear that you have a good life. Hope everything is alright with Daniel and the girls. It is strange to imagine you as a mother, but I am certain you are doing a wonderful job. And you being a selling artist, that really cheered me up. I knew you would do something in the art business, but being an artist is something even better than my imagination.

I am still a single guy, living in the same apartment. My dad indeed made me ready to take over the company, he died a few years ago and now I am the head of Downton Accountancy. Do you remember John? I am not sure if I talked about him, when you were here. He is married to Anna now and recently became a father of a little boy called Johnny. I am his godfather and that is just so special.

My darling sister, Rosamund asked me to give you her love, so you are getting lots of love from my sister.

Of course I am also sending you lots of love from just myself.

Robert.

Robert stared at his letter, was this enough, should he write more or was this already too much? He decided to just post it and see what would happen.


"Girls?" Cora called upstairs. Three heads popped around the doors of their rooms. "Can you come down?"

All three of them followed her into the living room.

"Mum, I was busy with some work stuff, does this take long?" Victoria said annoyed.

"No, it won't. Please sit down. I have been thinking, we are in need of a holiday. We could go somewhere, just the four of us?"

It stayed very quiet.

"You girls, don't seem to really like the idea?"

"Oh no, Mama, it is not that. It is…." Olivia started.

"Papa, has asked us to go on a holiday this morning." Tayler filled in.

"Oh." Now Cora felled silent. "Well, maybe we can go a different time, when you girls are free again?"

"Mama, why don't you go on holiday for yourself?" Olivia said.

"I remember you talking very fondly of your trip to London, you could go there?" Victoria said.

Cora looked at her in surprise, she didn't remember telling her about London, but maybe when she was a little girl. "I will have to think about it. It is alright, you girls enjoy the holiday with your father. Where are you going?"

"Camping." Victoria said with a long face. "So hopefully, I have to work."

"Victoria, don't say things like that, it will be fun." Cora said. She knew Daniel would not be able to afford anything else.

"I love camping." Olivia said.

"Me too, roasting marshmallows on a fire, we can make s'mores." Tayler said.

Cora just listened to her girls, talking about the holiday their dad was planning with them. She knew she needed to get used to this. She should share her daughters from now on.

Later that night in bed, her mind went to London, could she go there? Was that a smart move, especially after the letter exchange, she had with Robert. She didn't tell him yet, she was divorced. In her next letter she would tell him.