"You promised me my phone back, and now we are months further and still I am not allowed to have it. Kieran? Why are you doing this?"

Charlotte stopped Kieran from walking away. He slapped her hand of his arm.

"Kieran? What is the problem of letting my parents and sisters know where I am. They must be worried sick."

"You have chosen me, and now you are staying here with me!" Kieran had a dark gaze in his eyes.

"I pictured our life different than what we have right now, not living it separated from my family."

"Dad, can you come over?" Mary asked her father through the phone.

"Does your mother know I am coming?"

"She is the reason why I want you to come."

"What is wrong with her?" Robert was already putting on his shoes.

"She has a migraine attack for three days now, that means she also didn't eat anything these days. We tried to let her drink but also that is hard. She doesn't want anything."

"I am on my way." Robert almost ran out of the door.


Cora was lying in the dark bedroom. She felt horrible, this attack had been going on for days now and she was exhausted from the pain. She heard the door open, and she closed her eyes, against the light that came in. She felt a soft hand on her arm.

"Mama?" Mary whispered. "Are you awake?"

"Hmmm, yes sort of." Cora answered.

"I asked dad to come."

Cora opened her eyes and tried to fix her focus on Mary. Her vision was blurred. "Why?"

"Mum, I know you are mad at Papa, but he always helped you when you had a migraine. He knows how to release the tension. This attack is going on for way too long."

Cora closed her eyes again. Was she still mad at Robert? She didn't really know. She only knew, she missed Charlotte and with the upcoming birthday of the twins that feeling grew stronger.

There was a slight knock on the door.

"That must be Papa. I will leave you two alone." Mary let Robert in.

Robert put a chair next to the bed, he softly touched her hand.

"What can I do for you?"

Bring Charlotte back, went to Cora's mind. "I don't know." she said instead

Robert stood up and filled a bowl with cold water, he dipped a small towel in it and laid that on Cora's forehead. "Is your neck hurting?"

Cora let out a sigh of relief when she felt the cold on her forehead. "Everything is hurting at this point."

"Can you turn on your side, with your back my way?"

Slowly Cora got on her side. Just the touch of Robert's hand gave her relief already. He started with her neck, and he managed to get some relaxation back in her muscles.

He helped her turn back and sit up a little. "When did this attack start?"

"The day after Sybil went on holiday."

Robert nodded. "We found the source, this is stress related. I should have known, your migraines are usually stress related. There is no need to worry about Sybil. Tom is bringing her back. They call us every day and she is having an amazing time."

Cora grabbed his hand and squeezed it. "I know you are right, but I can't help it." Holding Robert's hand felt incredibly good.


"Normally we say hello." A woman said to Sybil, while she bought some chocolate in a local shop in a little village.

Sybil turned around and looked into an unfamiliar face. "Sorry, do I know you?"

"Don't be daft, we talked yesterday." The woman said.

"Sorry, I don't know who you are." Quickly she grabbed the paid chocolate and left the shop, Tom was waiting in the car.

"I had a strange experience just now." Sybil said. "A woman in that shop, said we had talked yesterday. I don't remember her. Maybe in that pub?"

Tom smiled. "You weren't drunk, you should remember a woman from yesterday evening. I think she is just confused. I found a Bed and Breakfast with an available room."


Edith had prepared dinner, Robert had brought Cora downstairs. They closed the curtains and had dimmed all the lights.

"How are you feeling Mama?" Mary asked.

Cora touched Mary's arm. "A little bit better, thank you darling."

"Do you want to eat something? I made a Shepherd's pie, but that is maybe a bit too much. I can make you some toast? Dad, are you staying for dinner?" Edith said

Robert looked at Cora.

"You are welcome to enjoy the works from your daughter. I never knew she was this good at cooking." Cora said.

After dinner Cora had gone into the living room and made herself comfortable in the corner of the couch. Robert entered with a cup of tea in his hands. Cora heard Edith and Mary go upstairs. She smiled internally, her girls knew exactly when they weren't wanted.

"Edith can really cook." Robert said.

"I was surprised the first time. and I knew this is your favourite dish."

"Thank you for inviting me." Robert said, unsure if he should sit down.

Cora laid her hand on the couch. "Please sit down."

Robert sat down next to Cora, who took his hand in hers.

"I think I have to apologize for my behaviour." She started.

Robert looked at her in surprise.

"This comes out of nowhere, I know, but I realised how much I missed you when you came into the bedroom earlier today." She squeezed his hand.

Robert was too stunned to speak.

"I blamed the disappearing of Charlotte, entirely on you, and that is not fair. I realise that now and I start to realise that we have to live with the fact, Charlotte isn't here. I just hope one day she will tell us where she is." She looked up in Robert's eyes. "I cannot live without Charlotte and you. You have always been my safe place and I forgot about that. I let my anger and fear cloud my judgment."

Robert's hand still rested in Cora's, he felt at home with her. Slowly he pulled his hand back. "You should go to bed, you need sleep. We will talk tomorrow." He stood up and helped Cora up.

She leaned into him walking upstairs. She felt weak and was glad to hold on to Robert as support. He helped her lay down again and tucked her in. He kissed her on her forehead and wanted to walk away, Cora grabbed his hand.

"Can you please stay a little bit longer?"

"Cora, I have to process what you just said. You just sleep now"