A Long Day in Lychford (Lychford #3)(26)

Autumn looked a bit taken aback. “Okay,” she said. “Thanks for . . . trusting—”

“No, we’ve had too many thanks already,” said Judith, “soft, both of you. And of course I trust you to . . . listen, you’ve made me say it, ’cos I’m going to have to start saying a lot of things now. This was why you messing up like that hurt so much—”

Lizzie looked to Autumn, but she shook her head, she wanted to hear this.

“—you, girl, are my choice to continue when I’m gone. To be the wise woman of this town. You’ll have help from the vicar here, and maybe others’ll come along, but someone’ll have to do the lifting, and it won’t be me forever. You and your . . . science,” she let the word slip out like it was sour, “maybe that’s the shape of what’s to come. And the give and take of someone your age, that room for mercy, that’ll be needed too. I just need you to . . . to not fly off at every enormous wanker, to be strong enough to be looked at like you’re odd for the long haul.”

“I . . . think I’m qualified—” Autumn was trying hard not to cry, and failing.

“Now I’ve seen in your noggin I know that. I know that you had a head start with that. Oh my girl. My girl. I don’t know how long I got left.” And Judith had to put a hand over her mouth and close her eyes. But she left one hand on the table. Autumn and then Lizzie put theirs on top of hers. And they stayed like that for a long time.