Robert had called his girls downstairs. Violet had just called with news.
Cora was sitting in the armchair, wringing her hands and staring at the ground. Mary and Edith sat down on the couch, Sybil sat on the armrest of Cora's chair, leaning in on her mother.
"Your grandmother just rang, and she had news about Charlotte."
"Did she find her?" Edith asked.
"Not yet, we only know, they are not in Ireland. Or at least not in the county of Wicklow as far as Kieran's family knows."
"Tom said, Kieran would never go to Ireland, that's too obvious." Sybil said, she felt her mother's body tremble.
"Where did he take her and why is her phone shut off." Mary said. "What is he planning to do. I get the feeling he is taking Charlotte against her will."
Those last words made Cora burst out in tears. Sybil wrapped her arms around her mother, and both Edith and Mary moved over to hug her. Robert was standing their looking at what was happening, not knowing what to do. Cora was very clear, she didn't want him. But he needed her for comfort.
"Sybil? You are sure Charlotte never said anything about where she was going?" Cora asked with a smothered voice.
"Mama, if I had known anything, I would have told you. I would have stopped her from going."
"I am just so scared, (that) Kieran is hurting her and I am not there to protect her." Cora sobbed.
"Charlotte is a strong woman, she can fight Kieran off if needed." Robert said.
Cora's head jerked up. "She would not have to, if you didn't act like a fool."
"Cora!" Robert's voice was a high pitch.
"You heard me right! You drove her in his arms. You were too much of a man, to step over your pride and apologies to her." Her three girls backed up a little, due to the anger in Cora's voice.
"I was right, wasn't I? Kieran is a bad influence on Charlotte." Robert raised his voice.
Cora jumped up. "And look what you have accomplished! Charlotte is gone to God knows where and Kieran can do anything with her he wants. She doesn't have a safe place anymore. Was that what you wanted?" Cora shouted.
Robert was shouting back. "Of course not. I wanted Kieran out. I never realized Charlotte could do something like this."
"Of course you didn't! You never think! Your pride is the only thing that matters. I am done with it. I want you out of the house!"
"What?" It came from both Robert's voice as the girls.
"You heard me. Pack your bag and leave, or I will." Cora walked towards the door.
Robert grabbed her hand. "Darling? You are angry, I know. But this doesn't help. Can we talk in private?"
Cora looked at her girls and felt instant regret. She had let herself go in front of them. "Please, go." Cora said in a lower voice and left the living room.
There was a soft knock-on Cora's door. She was in her study since the fight with Robert. The door opened and Mary poked her head around. "You want some tea?"
"No, thank you."
"I also brought coffee?"
Cora gave in and asked Mary to step inside.
"Mum, were you serious?"
Cora lowered her eyes. "I am sorry, but yes, I am serious. I want your father out of the house, or I will go."
Mary took a deep breath, walked over to Cora and hugged her. "We will find her Mama. We will." She kissed her on the cheek and walked out.
Months had gone by, Robert was sleeping at Rosamund's. Cora was still very distant and with each weeks passing she got more closed off and they only talked over the phone or via text. The strangest thing was that life went on. Robert's focus was again on the business. But when he laid in bed at night, he couldn't sleep. He missed Cora next to him and the worries came when he was in bed.
Violet had asked them all to come this Sunday for dinner. When Robert arrived, his girls were already there.
"Papa, you know, it is strange not having you at home." Edith said while kissing him on the cheek.
"I know darling, I know." He gave Mary and Sybil a hug. "Where is your mother?"
"She is helping grandmamma in the kitchen." Mary answered.
Robert moved towards the kitchen, but Mary took his arm. "Are you sure, that is wise?"
"Mary, I am allowed to great your mother!" Robert pulled his arm back. He opened the door and stood transfixed for a second. Cora was standing at the counter next to his mother, but she was barely recognizable. She had lost a significant amount of weight. Her jeans were way too big to fit her properly. Robert walked over and kissed his mother hello. He looked at Cora when he saw her looking at him. He had to hide the shock, her cheeks didn't have any color on them and were sunken in. "Hello." He said softly, unsure if she wanted him to great her.
"Hi." Cora said in the same unsure voice. She gave him a quick kiss on his cheek, before returning to the counter and peel the potatoes.
"Tom and I are going on a holiday next week." Sybil announced when dinner was almost finished.
"Where are you going?" Violet asked.
"We will make a road trip through Scotland for the next three weeks." Tom answered.
"That sounds wonderful, Tom." Cora said. "Do you promise me, to send regular updates?"
"Of course, Mama, you will know every day were we are. Don't you worry about that."
"I always have wanted to go Scotland." Edith said. "It just seems like such a beautiful country."
Robert was looking at the conversation, he noticed Cora didn't eat much, no wonder she was getting skin over bone. He worried about her. He started clearing up the table, leaving the kitchen he almost bumped into Cora, who was fetching the desserts.
Robert took her by the shoulders and stepped back into the kitchen, out of side from other eyes. "Cora, I know you don't want to listen to me, or anything. But can you promise me, you will take better care of yourself?
Cora raised her eyebrows.
"I saw you didn't eat anything, and you have lost weight. I can't cope if I also lose you in this life. I have to live with the fact, that your love is gone. But losing you would be too much."
Cora rolled her eyes. "You know I am a grown woman? I don't need you to take care of me."
"Cora, I didn't mean this in a bad way. I………"
"Robert, I know, but please don't do this." She turned around and walked out of the kitchen.
