Where Seagulls Soar (39 page)

She was leaving behind four graves, too, people she’d meant something to. People she’d loved. Their graves would remain untended now. The stones had mellowed long ago, but the wind
would blow the seeds, and the wildflowers would bloom in the cracks in the cemetery wall, season after season. The grass would grow long and they would be left to rest undisturbed.

Alex would rest alone in London, the place he’d loved with a passion. Such a waste of her first love’s life, but he would live on in their son, and in his sons after that. Joanna
would never forget any of them.

When a seagull came to perch on the railing she smiled through her tears and said simply, ‘Thank you for giving me my life, Lucian.’

The bird made a noise in its throat, then rose on a current of air and circled the mast before soaring into the sky and back towards the island.

Joanna turned to find Seth behind her. ‘I was saying goodbye to my past.’

‘I know.’ The smile he gave her was tender. ‘But it’s making you melancholy. Come here, my love. I’ve missed you.’

Joanna went into the arms of her future, and left her island ghosts to their rest.