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We walk the winding dirt trail to the village slowly Baby runs out front When we reach the lanes, I find each porch and lawn are e details: Mr Button’s purple porch, Bill and Sarah Green’s collection of six rocking chairs, the mermaid bench on Holly’s porch—carved by her father Then we’re near the café I think perhaps all the island’s shown up for my farewell

Inside, Charles and I are le bite

I step into the kitchen, and Mrs Alice hugs h the kitchen door, into the foggy

“LetI don’t believe you know about me”

“What?” I whisper

Her eyes twinkle “This old lady, lifelong Tristanian, wanted to stay back in England More than anything” She s to Elvis Presley on the neighbor lady’s records I’d walk down the way and get a cut of steak from the butcher All that was lovely But my Harold didn’t care for it So we came back here to the island” She looks wistful

My throat knots, so tightly I can’t speak I s hard

“I didn’t know,” I whisper

“I’ve had a lovely life here I’ll be buried by lad to have these bitter winds whistle over s randmother would be dizzy with pride I’ll tell you a secret”

“What?” I murmur

“Your Gao She liked that Mr Carnegie In fact, I helped her stitch yourof a New York lady”

I start sobbing then and never do quite get a handle on myself Anna co me to bid farewell to…well, to everyone I know

Dot hugstime “I wish you the very best, my friend No one deserves happiness more than you do”

Holly says, “I’ives randest time And do send postcards”

Rachel’s eyes fill with tears “It’s my dream as well,” she whispers, so softly no one but I can hear her