Lavender Girl

by Paula Hickford

  ‘Morning Daddy,’ she said, in between bites.

  ‘Morning poppet. What do you know about Nick?’ said Adam, getting straight to the point.

  ‘Who’s Nick?’ said Sasha, still sleepy.

  ‘Nick. Nick the artist,’ said Adam, ‘the one who painted Tammy’s room.’

  ‘Oh, that Nick,’ said Sasha.

  ‘That Nick,’ repeated Adam. ‘What do you know about him?’

  ‘Not much,’ said Sasha. ‘He painted Tammy’s room and it was really good.’

  ‘Is he married?’ asked Adam.

  ‘Not now,’ said Sasha. ‘I think he’s been married twice but he’s divorced. He used to be a teacher with grandma at the same school years ago. We’ve met him a few times at the garden centre. He lives just up the road.’

  ‘How old is he?’ asked Adam, convinced that he must be a lot younger than his mother.

  ‘I can’t remember exactly,’ said Sasha. ‘Younger than grandma I think.’

  ‘I knew it,’ said Adam to himself.

  Georgina was now absolutely convinced that Liz was being taken in and would lose the house and all her money.

  Adam was concerned that artist was a euphemism for layabout sponger. He shouldn’t have to worry about his mother like this. What was she thinking? He would have to talk some sense into her. He would call when he got to work.

  * * *

  Liz didn’t wake up until seven thirty, which was an hour later than usual. She had slept like a log. ‘Must be the wine,’ she concluded. She was grateful for the fact that she didn’t have a headache. She had to get up and dressed quickly as Rory and Finn would be arriving soon and she made a point of giving them tea and a bite to eat as soon as they got there.

  She looked in the mirror. Her hair had pretty well kept its shape and still looked really good. She had a quick shower and put on tee shirt, jeans and sandals before going downstairs in time to greet Rory and Finn. ‘No Devlin today?’ she enquired through the open kitchen window.

  ‘No,’ said Finn, ‘we’ve another job in a few weeks’ time so he’s working on his vision,’ and he made a great show of moving one hand above his head in a sweeping gesture worthy of a musical to indicate the scope of Devlin’s vision.

  Liz had hardly put the kettle on when Finn was at the kitchen door. ‘Well, how did it go?’

  ‘It was lovely,’ said Liz. She really liked Finn, he was so easy to talk to. ‘I was a bit nervous so I had a couple of glasses of sparkling wine.’

  ‘Nothing like bubbles to relax you,’ said Finn smiling.

  ‘That’s true,’ she said, ‘but I felt a little tipsy. I had to leave my car there and get a taxi home. Nick is picking me up this morning to drive me back to collect it. He’ll be here soon.’

  ‘Sounds promising,’ said Finn, with a little squeal of delight.

  ‘Hold your horses,’ said Liz, ‘we are just friends.’

  ‘Me thinks thou dost protest too much.’ He was now grinning like a Cheshire cat. ‘What was the art like?’

  Liz was animated in her praise of Nick’s painting. ‘Just friends, eh?’ said Finn, as he went back outside.

  * * *

  As soon as Adam had gone off to work Sasha was on her mobile. ‘Dad’s got his knickers completely in a twist about grandma and Nick,’ she told Tammy. ‘He thinks that Nick is trying to con Gran out of her money.’

  Tammy laughed. ‘Why would he think that?’

  ‘I don’t know,’ said Sasha. ‘It’s probably because gran hardly ever went out before so he always knew where she was.’

  ‘We’ll have to see what we can do,’ said Tammy. ‘I’ll give you a call tonight.’

  * * *

  Liz busied herself washing up the breakfast things and tidying the kitchen before popping out to the garden to give Rory and Finn another cup of tea before she went to collect her car. Nick rang the doorbell while she was chatting to them both and getting no reply at the front door decided to go through the side entrance to the back.

  ‘Hi Nick,’ said Liz, smiling, as soon as she saw him.

  ‘Wow, the garden will be spectacular,’ he said, amazed at how fast the project was moving forward. Not much of the old garden remained.

  Finn almost ran over to shake his hand. ‘Thank you so much,’ said Finn. ‘It’s completely gone to plan.’

  ‘This is Nick,’ said Finn (winking at Rory). Liz introduced Finn to Nick and then Nick to Rory, or at least she indicated the spot where Rory was bending over a flower bed, his low slung trousers revealing the crack of his arse. Not a pretty sight.

  ‘Hi,’ he said, without standing up and instead moving his head to one side of his bottom to make eye contact.

  ‘I hear you’re an artist,’ said Finn.

  ‘I’m trying,’ said Nick.

  ‘What do you paint?’

  ‘Anything and everything,’ said Nick, ‘portraits, landscapes, anything really.’

  ‘Gardens?’ asked Finn.

  ‘Sometimes,’ said Nick.

  ‘Now and again we have clients who ask if we know anyone who could paint a picture of their garden,’ said Finn. ‘Perhaps we could pass on your details?’

  ‘Thanks,’ said Nick, shaking his hand, ‘that’s really kind of you but wouldn’t you like to see what I do first before you recommend me? You might not like it.’

  ‘Liz has told me all about it,’ said Finn. ‘I’m sure it’s great.’

  Liz left Nick in the garden talking to Finn as she went inside to get her bag and coat before going to pick up her car. She was just about to leave when the phone rang. It was Adam. She was pleased. She had calmed down a lot. After all, it wasn’t unreasonable for Adam to be concerned.

  ‘Adam, about last night,’ she began.

  ‘No, it’s OK mum, you don’t have to apologise.’

  ‘Adam, this isn’t an apology. I just wanted to tell you that you don’t have to worry.’

  ‘I’m glad you’ve come to your senses,’ he said.

  Liz sighed loudly. He wasn’t listening. She knew this conversation was going nowhere. ‘Adam, Nick is a friend. I had a really nice time last night and I will be going out with him again.’

  ‘Mum, you could be making a complete fool of yourself.’

  ‘Thank you for your support, Adam,’ her voice was completely calm, ‘but that’s up to me. I am a grown up. Anyway, I have to go. Nick is taking me to collect my car. I will give you a call later.’

  Adam was left holding the receiver again when his secretary announced that his wife was on the other line. ‘Georgie, it’s worse that I thought, I think Nick stayed the night.’

  Georgina laughed. ‘Don’t be so ridiculous.’

  ‘I’m serious,’ said Adam. ‘I think this may have been going on for a while.’

  ‘Are you sure?’ said Georgina.

  ‘Of course,’ said Adam, ‘it all makes sense.’

  Liz’s face was a little flushed when she came out to the car. Nick had stayed by the passenger door so he could open it for her as she approached.

  ‘Thank you,’ she said, as he nimbly ran around the front of his battered old Jeep to sit in the driver’s seat.

  ‘You don’t look happy,’ he said, as he turned the ignition to start the car.

  ‘Oh, it’s nothing, just family,’ not wishing to elaborate but despite herself blurting out that her son was trying to control her life.

  She tried not to sound bitter as she told him that Adam hardly came near or by, not even after Jim died, but that now she was starting to get back into the world, changing the garden and going out more, he seemed to be upset. ‘I think he was happier when I was sad and lonely. I don’t want to argue with him but that’s all we seem to do now. I wish he had more faith in my judgement.’

  ‘It’s understandable for him to be concerned, Liz,’ said Nick. ‘He doesn’t know me.’

  ‘Thank you, Nick’

  ‘For what?’

  ‘For last night. I haven’t laughed so much in a v
ery long time and I must admit to feeling nervous about going, but everyone was so lovely. I have decided to join the art group, if you would still like me to.’

  ‘That’s fantastic,’ said Nick. ‘We can go together. I had a very successful evening. I picked up a couple of commissions as well as the wine bar work and the mystery meeting with the TV execs. So I thought that you might help me celebrate.’

  ‘That would be lovely.’ She didn’t want to get her hopes up. She liked Nick a lot but didn’t trust herself to read the signs. He may just see her as a friend and if that was the case it was better than nothing. She would wait and see. She was scared of making a fool of herself but despite her reservations she hoped.

  Chapter 20

  Monica was in work early. It was one of those rare mornings when the planets aligned and all the lights turned green as she approached them. There were no hold ups at all and better still there were parking spaces left in the car park.

  This was so different to the usual routine of driving into the car park, finding no spaces and having to walk back half a mile or so from the parking space she eventually found a few streets away. She considered buying a lottery ticket it was that rare.

  She was up to date with work, the accounts had been finalised and Tammy was doing well in school and at home. She felt complete contentment. She grabbed a coffee from the café downstairs before heading up to her office.

  Nadia was there to greet her as she exited the lift, looking immaculate as usual. ‘Morning,’ she almost sang the word. She was always so cheerful.

  ‘Morning,’ Monica called back. It was going to be a good day.

  She sat at her desk trying to decide what to do first. She had auditors coming in a few weeks so had plenty to do but her workload was manageable for the moment so no pressure. She decided to give Liz a call as she was curious to know how her evening had been. She dialled the home number but only got the answer phone. She made a note on her blotter to give her a call at lunch time before turning on her computer.

  Kevin had sent several emails, most of which were jokes, but one was asking when they could meet up next. Monica decided not to rush into anything. After all there was Tammy to consider now. She accepted his invitation for dinner the following week and decided that she would tell him all about Tammy. If there was to be any relationship between them Tammy would be a big part of it. He would have to like Tammy and, more importantly, Tammy would have to like him.

  * * *

  On the journey back to the gallery Liz told Nick about how she came to meet Monica and Tammy and what a lifeline they had turned out to be. She really admired the way Monica coped despite having no experience with children. Tammy could be a handful. She laughed as she recalled the day that Tammy had called her a witch.

  ‘I can’t imagine anyone thinking that you looked like a witch.’

  ‘You didn’t see me,’ said Liz. ‘I was seriously scary.’

  ‘I can see that Tammy can be quite forceful.’ He was recalling the Lavender plant Tammy had given him. Apparently it was holding on by a thread.

  ‘You had better not let Tammy know,’ said Liz. ‘She is very serious about her project.’

  ‘I wouldn’t dream of it,’ said Nick. ‘If I do manage to kill it I will replace it.’

  ‘On pain of death,’ added Liz.

  ‘Scouts honour,’ said Nick, who went on to confide that he had never been good at looking after things. He was terrified of responsibility, which is why he had been such a lousy husband.

  ‘It took me a long time to grow up,’ he said seriously. ‘It has taken me a few years to get the hang of being a father. In fact, if I’m honest I didn’t get it until my wife finally kicked me out.’

  ‘How is your relationship with your children now?’ asked Liz.

  ‘It’s great. We see each other all the time and the kids come and stay. I would even say that they are proud of me and my grandchildren think that being an artist is cool, which is amazing.’

  Liz relayed the circumstances of Jim’s death and the reasons behind changing the garden. She also spoke of how sad she was that her relationship with Adam had deteriorated after he married Georgina.

  ‘It made me angry at first. I admit to blaming Georgina but then I realised that it could only have happened if Adam had let it, and he did. It got even worse after Jim died. I am fairly certain they think of me as a neurotic nuisance.’ She hadn’t actually said this out loud to anyone before. It was something that she had kept to herself. She felt almost ashamed.

  She relayed to him the conversation she had with Sasha about Adam’s job prospect in America.

  ‘I didn’t notice it when Jim was alive, maybe it was always there but just not so obvious because I was busy,’ she said. ‘I am pleased to say that I have decided to stop wallowing in self-pity and start living a bit. I’m only sorry that I will not be able to have a relationship with my grandchildren. I loved having Sasha to stay. She is a wonderful girl and if they move abroad it would be painful, but it’s not something I have any control over.’

  ‘I’m no expert,’ said Nick, ‘heaven knows I’ve mucked things up more times that I care to admit, but I would say keep in contact as much as you can. The kids are getting older. They will be able to make up their own minds in a few years’ time.’

  ‘That sounds much too sensible to have come out of your mouth,’ said Liz, trying to lighten the mood.

  ‘Well, I act my age occasionally,’ said Nick. ‘I have even managed to be organised enough to get my granddaughter’s birthday present. She will be sixteen on Wednesday.’

  ‘That gives me an idea,’ said Liz. ‘It’s Sasha’s birthday in June. I wonder if you would undertake a commission for me and paint a picture of her as a surprise?’

  ‘I’ll need a recent photograph if it’s going to be a surprise,’ said Nick.

  ‘That’s easy,’ said Liz. ‘She loves having her picture taken. Georgina sent me a picture of her riding her horse a few months ago and I took one of her in the garden with Tammy. I’ll give them to you the next time I see you.’

  They made arrangements to meet up the following week. Liz promised to take Monica and Tammy to the gallery at the weekend and to have dinner with Nick the following Saturday. She drove back home feeling calmer. She would keep her cool the next time she spoke to Adam. There was nothing to be gained by arguing. What will be, will be.

  * * *

  Finn and Rory were on schedule for the garden transformation. They had managed to lay most of the paths and the base for the summer house and the fountain. Finn had brought a portfolio with him showing fountains they had installed in other gardens so Liz could get a feel of how she would like it to look. She pretty much had her mind made up about the stone until she saw a picture of three steel columns at different heights with water cascading down each of them. It was only slightly more expensive than the stone boulder but it looked so much more sophisticated. It would make a spectacular centrepiece.

  She made them a cup of tea and sat at the garden table with them, enjoying the morning sunshine.

  ‘Well, come on woman,’ said Finn eventually, ‘tell us all about it.’

  ‘It was nice,’ said Liz, a little guarded. ‘Nick is a nice man, easy to talk to and fun to be with, but he is just a friend.’

  ‘Saying it doesn’t make it so,’ said Finn. ‘I think he likes you, you look good together.’

  ‘Do you think so?’ said Liz, feeling a little embarrassed. She marvelled at her own garrulousness. Six months ago she hardly spoke to anyone about anything and now every aspect of her life was open for discussion and she didn’t care.

  She told Finn that she was going to join the art group.

  ‘I didn’t know you painted Mrs B,’ said Rory.

  ‘I haven’t for a long time,’ Liz replied, ‘but I’m thinking of starting again.’

  ‘Let’s have a look,’ said Finn. Liz went into the garage and dug out a few of her old canvasses. She had painted the garden as it
was before Jim died.

  ‘This is really good,’ said Finn. ‘I think we should recommend you to our clients.’

  ‘Thank you,’ said Liz, ‘but I am a little out of practice.’

  * * *

  Adam was pacing up and down in his office. He had called Georgina and asked her to do a bit of internet research on Nick. He couldn’t quite remember the surname although he was sure it began with R, maybe Robson or Rogers. He did remember that the exhibition was in Crouch End so Georgina didn’t take long to find a list of art exhibitions in London and then narrow it down to Crouch End. There was only one entry, which made the job easy. She found the website for the exhibition but was frustrated to find that although there was a list of the artists, which included a Nicholas Roberts, there were no photographs.

  She tapped the name Nicholas Roberts, artist, into the search engine and found that he had exhibited in several places in England and there was a web-site. Georgina opened the tab with the tag line ‘About the artist’ and there in the top right hand corner was a picture of Nick standing next to an easel but it was an old photograph taken several years ago and Nick had never got round to updating it.

  ‘Adam was right,’ thought Georgina. ‘He is much younger than Liz.’ She called Adam.

  Adam had to put it to the back of his mind to concentrate on work. The deadline for America was looming large and he had to think about what to do with the house. He also needed to speak to the children at some point although he was sure that they would love living in America and Georgina couldn’t wait.

  The only fly in the ointment was his mother. He hadn’t given her a second thought when he was first approached by the Head of the New York branch but now he wasn’t so sure he was doing the right thing.

  Adam was a man who could compartmentalise his life. His wife and children fitted neatly into their slots, his work was under control and he found success easy. His mother and father were happily doing their own thing and did not give him any cause for concern until his father died suddenly and his mother became completely unhinged. Even then he had managed to keep things on an even keel. He wasn’t sure why he felt so put out now.