A/N. I have been sitting looking out over the valley to Stoodley Pike. The sight gave me the energy to write this the last chapter of A Gift for Flora. Thank you for all your kind words and support along the journey of the last twelve chapters. They have been much appreciated.

Chapter Twelve

It had been some time since Flora had touched the book of her mother's letters. At first she hadn't been able to, knowing that the letters were coming to an end. She didn't want them to end. The link they gave with her mother was of such importance. As time went on her curiosity started to nag away and she knew she needed to return to its pages. She decided to make it a special occasion. So here she was, rugged up and sitting at the top of Stoodley Pike on that most special of days… the day the family trekked up to remember her mothers. Erin, William, Lawrence and an assortment of children including Katie had accompanied her. They had given her space to read though they were close enough for her to hear their laughter and chatting. She smiled at the noise before turning her attention to the book balanced on her knee. She opened it and turned to the back.

January 2045

My dearest darling Kate

Polish up the silver, get the best crockery out, set the table and prepare yourself. I am on my way. Yes I know it's taken me thirty years but I hid things to do, important things. Anyway peace as you know it will be ending and you may soon wish it had been forty years! There's a lot of catching up to do and I intend to do it. You'd better prepare my mother and that dipstick step sister of mine too. I don't want them keeling over with surprise (oh sometimes I amuse myself) but for heaven's sake don't let them come near us for at least a week. No make that a month.

I am ready Kate and I come willingly. I always said I wanted to make sure that Flora was settled. Well she couldn't be more settled. She, Erin and little Katie make a wonderful family. The house is full of love and laughter and those three were meant for each other. The boys adore them too and will keep a weathered eye, so I have no qualms about leaving her. Little Katie is just adorable. I am convinced she channels you, as she grows more like you with every passing day. She is a happy child with an equanimity about her that belies her tender age, and oh so inquisitive. She sucks up knowledge like a sponge. She and I have spent a lot of time together over the past year. We have our little routines. The day generally starts with toast and tea in my big bed. Flora is none too keen on this. It's a bad habit apparently, but then she's none too keen on my large glass (well ok two large glasses) of red wine every night. Honestly Kate I am entitled. I am an old lady who should be able to do what I like, not be nagged by whippersnappers. You should see the rolling of the eyes if we are out and I do something they deem 'outrageous'. Honestly. But I guess that's another story and I digress. Where was I? Oh yes our little routines. At night we cuddle up in my bed and read stories until it's time for Katie to go off to sleep. These are my precious delightful moments.

The family have been together often this year. It seems that wherever they have been in the world they have all landed here for every birthday and special day. More often than not Gillian's clan have been here too. The house has been bursting at the seams at times and the noise and bustle almost overwhelming. Of course they are all here now post Christmas and New Year, but I have shooed them all out today. It's Stoodley Pike day and Katie has been taken up for the first time. As I write this I can track their progress and they will have a chat with me from the top. The peace is wonderful though I wouldn't be without them. They all get on so well and Erin manages them all including Lawrence at his most pompous. He is still a superstar having taken on the role of James Bond. We all had a good laugh when we found out and told him he was far too old, but it seems the critics love him. Go figure (I stole that phrase from the youngsters along with a few others that they tell me I use incorrectly. Ah well all part of being old outrageously).

I have been in the limelight again too. The BBC ran a series of classic shows including our story my love. Yes we are a classic. Not sure how I felt about that until dear sweet William kindly pointed out all the glorious things that are classics like a Jag or the Beatles. I felt ok after that. The two lasses who played us and I did a number of interviews and articles. They have remained in touch with me over the years and it was delightful to be in their company talking over old times. It seems no one tires of a good love story and ours was one of the best you know. The girls and I have been inundated with letters… this old fashioned way of communicating has had a resurgence and I for one think that's wonderful. Many of the letters are moving and very kind. Despite all the progress over the decades it is still hard for some people to come out. The letters have again reminded me of the power (positive and negative) of certain mediums. One of the more humorous outcomes of the reshowing was the resurrection of the locks. I have one of them sent to me from Australia sitting on the mantelpiece. The poor old Head at Sulgrave had to put up with hundreds of the things going up. Luckily she saw the positives in all the subsequent publicity. She even had us all come and give a talk. Of course the girls were the stars but I was treated with much respect. One of the language teachers came and spoke to me of you. He had been in that bloody awful 9F class, remember them the class from hell? but somehow you got through to him and he made something of himself. It was a moment that touched me.

I have done some heavy duty reflection over the past months my Kate, in preparation of the next step. I am often asked if I have been lonely and I can honestly say "No". Alone at times but not lonely. I've had a good life, not the one I would have chosen, but a good one none the less. It's been rich and textured and never dull. That I have been able to fully embrace it, is down to you my dearest. You opened me up, taught me how to love and brought me alive. Not to live my life to the full, to me would have been to sully your memory. I haven't wanted or needed another partner for you have been with me every step of the way. I saw you in Flora's smile or heard you as her fingers flew across the keyboard. Your voice whispered advice in my ears I slept and your spirit shone down in the brightness of your star. Having all that has enabled me to live life to the full and I count myself as very lucky.

Having said that Kate, I have of late tired of being without you. It is time and I come with peace in my heart. Look out for me my dearest.

Until then I remain your

Caroline

Flora wiped the tears that were gently flowing down her cheeks. She looked out across the moors and pictured this woman who had taken up the role for two and brought her up in a loving secure home. There were certainly few dull moments amidst the chaos of a mother with a brilliant mind, two very different brothers and a mad extended family. Erin had more than once wondered in awe at the goings on. It had been a glorious upbringing for which she was ever grateful. She reflected on the unpredictability of her mother. The scientist, the playwright, the Headmistress, the radio star and the author of these beautiful letters written year after year. A woman who never did things by halves, who didn't suffer fools gladly, yet had the biggest heart of anyone she knew. She was without doubt complex and not often easy, but always magnificent.

Flora's thoughts turned to her other mother. Her life had been filled with tales and the letters had brought her other glimpses. Her family often commented on how much alike mother and daughter were. Flora had no real sense of whether that was true. Was she calm and steady and loving as her mother was portrayed. It was nice to think so. She thought of the two women who in one way or another had influenced her and helped shape her. She felt incredibly lucky to have had these two women as her parents. She resolved to make sure little Katie had the same foundation. Lost in thought Flora suddenly became aware of Erin standing in front of her holding out a mug of steaming hot tea. Smiling, she stood and took the mug. Time to join her family and her future.

On reaching home, Flora took the book upstairs to put it safe. As she put it away it dropped and fell open on the last page. There attached to the back cover was a thin envelope with her name on it. She opened it and took out a photo she had never seen before of her two mothers standing arms around each other with their love for all to see. Along with the photo was a short note.

My darling Flora

Well by now you have read the letters and I hope you have a sense of your two mothers and your upbringing in this chaotic jumble that is our loving family. These are not all the letters. I wrote to my Kate every year. At first I wrote for me, to help me get over the pain. Then I wrote for you so one day you would be able to see the world through my eyes. Then I wrote for all of us as a celebration of our lives and of the life of Kate, your mother who gave us both so much. They are letters of joy not of sorrow. I hope that has shone through for you as you read them. The other letters along with a load of photos and mementos are in a wooden chest that William will give you. Explore them at your own pace. What else you do with them is up to you though I think your brothers and Erin might like to read them.

Know this and carry this when things feel tough. You have always been one of the greatest joys of my life and I have been so incredibly proud of you as my daughter. Promise me that you will live life to the full and keep everyone precious to you safe in your heart. Keep your brothers in check and please make sure that wonderful wonderful little Katie knows all about her two grandmothers.

Love your mum C xxx

Flora knew what she was going to do. Going to her bedside table she drew out paper and pen and sat down.

January 2046

My dearest Katie

Let me begin by telling you about your two grandmothers Kate and Caroline. Where to begin. Well I guess at the beginning…..