AN; thanks for reading, and finally here you have the mysterious letter, I apologise if its a big disappointment. Review welcome my dears. xx Beth

XxX

Dear Shelagh,

I have meant to write to you many times over the past year or so but never have I found the right words and if I have found them then pen has never met paper in the correct way. I hope this letter finds you in good health. Since you left the order I hope you have found someone who treats you well. You deserve it my dear. I know you are perfectly independent but I would hate to think you are alone.

When you were little I promised your father that I would always keep an eye on you and make sure you were okay.

Enclosed with this letter is something I believe I should have given you years ago. It's a photo, you aged 5, your parents and me and Colette. I doubt you have ever seen it but it us yours to keep. Something for you to remember your parents by.

I don't know how to say this without sounding mad but I am afraid, Shelagh. I think something is coming. I don't know what but it is something bad and that worries me. That's why myself and Abigail are going to stay Poplar, away from Scotland for a while.

I am telling you this because during a meeting with a company two days ago after I refused to invest they asked how you and Abigail were doing. I refuse to give into his callus schemes but I do not wish to harm my daughter or yourself. I hope we can meet in person and discus this properly.

I need you to meet Abigail, she's growing up and I believe a female influence that isn't part of the household staff will help her greatly. I've spoken about you to her many times and I hope you will get along. You helped me after my wife died and I hope you can help Abigail find herself as you did yourself.

You were a very shy child and I expect by now you're no longer afraid of whatever it was that once held you back.

If my feeling is right and something is to happen to me I would like it if you were able to just keep an eye on my daughter. She is independent and will say she's fine but that's all a front. You do not need to take full custody just look out for her. You were like a daughter to me and I think Abi is looking forward to meeting you.

I want to say thank you, thank you, Shelagh,for everything you have done for me. You have been too kind. I regret only that we haven't spoken for sometime.

I wish you all the best, you know, I remember when your mother told me what she called you.

Shelagh; someone who sees beauty in the world and who values love and family.

You're an amazing person, Shelagh,

Thank you

Yours faithfully,

Andrew McCall.

XxX

Shelagh wiped her eyes and she handed the letter to Sister Julienne hoping she would read it and she wouldn't have to explain her tears. She clutched the photograph in her hand seeing her mother and father's faces brought back emotions she'd long forgotten about.

"It's peculiar..." Sister Julienne sighed. "It's almost like he's..."

"Saying goodbye..." Shelagh finished for her. "He wrote to say goodbye. He always said he got a strange feeling before something bad happened. Superstitious nonsense but this time..." She stopped and closed her eyes. "He's gone..."

Trixie put a hand on her friend's back looking around at the others in the room wondering if any of them really knew what to say and do. A tragedy had happened in Poplar. A young teenager had been left an orphan, Shelagh had lost a close friend and now there was a possibility none of it was an accident.

XxX

Abi and Tim walked along the street quietly, Tim spent his time attempting to think of something to say.

"So..." He started as they stopped and lent against a wall. "What's Scotland like...?"

She took a deep breath remembering what her Dad had told her about not being scared to talk to people her own age.

"It's beautiful..." She replied. "The place where I live. There's fields and forests that go on forever."

"You must have fun playing with your friends. Do you play sports?"

"I played cricket and football with some of the gardeners and my tutor not terribly girly but I find it fun..." She replied cautiously and Tim's ears perked up at the mention of cricket. "There aren't many people in my village of my own age...and when I don't go to the school it's hard to make friends..."

"You don't go to school?"

She shook her head. "No. I have been homeschooled all my life."

"Isn't that lonely?"

"I have my Dad...had." Once again the realisation that her father was dead and wasn't coming back hit her and she felt tears burning her eyes and she put her hand to her face to hide it. She couldn't cry, not here. "I'm sorry." She apologised.

For a second Tim stood awkwardly not sure on what he was meant to do when a girl he'd just met started crying. He decided putting a comforting hand on her shoulder might work. "It'll be alright." He said unsurely before taking his handkerchief from his pocket.

"Thanks." She took it from him and gently wiped her eyes.

"I'm sorry about your Dad." He paused. "I lost my mum a few years ago now..."

"Oh I'm so sorry." Abi looked at him feeling more awful than she was to start with.

"It's okay." He gave a small smile. "It'll all be okay, trust me."