The Butterfly Room

by Lucinda Riley

  ‘I doubt it will, dear, and even if it was, I’m sure you’d pick up the pieces and move on to something else. Ah, I can hear the patter of tiny feet.’ Posy turned towards the door.

  Nick came into the kitchen, Sara in his arms, Jake by his side.

  ‘Now, come and meet your Auntie Tammy.’ Nick brought them both over to Tammy, set Sara down and the two children smiled up at her shyly.

  ‘Hello, you two,’ Tammy bent down towards them.

  ‘Are you married to Uncle Nick?’ asked Jake.

  ‘No, I’m not.’

  ‘Then how come you’re our Auntie?’ he queried.

  ‘I love your hair,’ said Sara quietly to Tammy. ‘Is it real?’

  Tammy nodded seriously. ‘Yes. Do you want to touch it to make sure?’

  Sara reached out her small, chubby hand and caught a strand of burnished copper. ‘It’s as long as my Barbie Princess hair. Hers isn’t real though.’

  ‘Hi, Posy, how are you?’

  Tammy looked across the kitchen as a very pretty blonde woman came through the door.

  ‘Amy!’ Posy kissed her warmly. ‘You look lovely. Now, come and meet Tammy. Tammy, this is Amy, my dearest daughter-in-law.’

  ‘That’s because at present, I’m her only daughter-in-law,’ smiled Amy, and Tammy knew the two of them would get along just fine. ‘Hi, Nick, it’s so good to see you again after all these years.’

  Tammy watched as Amy wrapped her arms around Nick and he hugged her tightly back.

  ‘You look fantastic,’ said Amy, smiling up at him. ‘And by the way, I apologise in advance for anything my children do or say over lunch. Just don’t let their sticky little fingers anywhere near those beautiful suede trousers you’re wearing, Tammy.’

  ‘Hi, Mum.’

  Tammy saw a short but broad-shouldered man with blonde hair kiss Posy on the cheek. She felt Nick tense up beside her as he walked over to join them.

  ‘Nick, old chap, good to see you.’

  ‘Hello, Sam,’ Nick said stiffly. He extended his hand and his brother shook it heartily.

  Tammy studied Sam and thought that, of the two brothers, Sam had aged the least gracefully. His hair was already thinning on his crown and he had a noticeable beer belly. Apart from a similar nose, he looked nothing like Nick at all, who took after his mother.

  ‘So what brings you back to the old country? Business fallen on hard times back in Perth, has it?’

  Tammy saw the muscles in Nick’s jaw tighten.

  ‘As a matter of fact, things have gone better than I could have ever expected,’ Nick replied coldly.

  ‘Good. Well, seems you might have some competition from your big brother soon,’ remarked Sam. ‘But I’ll tell you about that later.’

  ‘I can’t wait to hear,’ said Nick, the sarcasm obvious in his voice.

  Tammy caught Amy’s eye and they exchanged a glance of mutual understanding.

  ‘Right, who’s for a glass of the champagne that Tammy and Nick have so kindly brought me?’ Posy interrupted at just the right moment.

  ‘I’ll open it, shall I?’ Nick suggested and moved across the kitchen to retrieve the bottle.

  ‘So, sweetheart, where did Nick find you?’ Sam turned to Tammy, his eyes sweeping up and down her body. Tammy knew instantly she was dealing with a man who used his charm to great effect, the kind of man she had met time and again throughout her adult life . . . the type of man she could not stand.

  ‘We have mutual friends.’

  ‘You’re obviously not Aussie then, with your accent?’

  ‘No, Sam, Tammy is a well-known model,’ interrupted Posy.

  ‘Used to be,’ corrected Tammy. ‘I’m more of a businesswoman these days, actually.’

  ‘Well, I can tell you don’t have kids, the way you look,’ said Sam. ‘Childbirth and sleepless nights age women, don’t they, darling?’ He cast a less than complimentary eye over his wife. ‘Right, I’ll leave you ladies to it. Got to have a word with Mum.’ Sam winked at them as he walked away.

  Tammy felt the familiar and awkward sensation of standing next to a woman whose husband had just made it obvious he found her attractive. She wasn’t quite sure what to say until Amy broke the silence by sighing.

  ‘Sam’s right, you know. What I’d give for a lie-in, and some time to choose matching clothes before I go out, but that’s the penalty of having children.’

  ‘I don’t know how women do it. But it must be worth it, I mean, look at your two over there,’ Tammy smiled. ‘They’re gorgeous.’

  Both Sara and Jake were with Nick, giggling at something their new-found uncle was saying.

  ‘Perhaps, but I have started to wonder whether motherhood is nature’s big joke. Of course I’d be shot dead in the playground if I ever admitted I found it less than stimulating spending the day with a four- and a six-year-old watching endless Tweenies videos, but sometimes I want to scream.’

  ‘At least you’re honest enough to say it,’ said Tammy, liking Amy more and more. ‘From the outside, it seems to me that motherhood is ninety per cent hard work, ten per cent pleasure.’

  ‘Well, of course it’s worth the pain in the long run; everyone says it’s fantastic when they grow up and become your friends. The problem is, most adult children I know seem to find visiting their parents a chore. Oh dear,’ giggled Amy, ‘not exactly a walking advert for family life, am I? But I really wouldn’t be without them.’

  ‘I get it, Amy; you’re just saying that on the odd occasion, you’d like to have a little time for you.’

  ‘Exactly. Look, Tammy,’ Amy said, watching her children with Nick, ‘now there’s a man who looks very comfortable with a couple of kids hanging off his knee. You could end up like me: a whingeing, exhausted mum. Now, I’d better go and rescue him.’

  ‘Champagne, everyone. Gather round.’ Posy was pouring out glasses on the table. ‘I just wanted to raise a glass to Nick and say welcome home, darling.’

  ‘Thanks, Mum.’ Nick nodded.

  ‘And a very warm welcome to Tammy, too,’ Posy added. ‘Right, lunch will be ready in ten minutes. Would you carve, Nick?’

  Tammy saw Amy’s husband narrow his eyes as he watched his mother fussing over his younger brother. A cloud of jealousy wafted from him like a strong scent.

  Sebastian strolled into the kitchen just as everyone was beginning to sit down at the table.

  ‘Perfect timing,’ said Posy, indicating the chair between herself and Tammy. ‘Everybody, this is my new lodger, Sebastian Girault.’

  ‘Hi.’ Sebastian smiled briefly at the assembled group and sat down. ‘Hope no one minds me crashing this special occasion.’

  ‘Not at all. Nick Montague.’ Nick reached across the table to shake his hand. ‘I read your book and loved it.’

  ‘Thank you.’

  ‘I’m Sam Montague, and this is my wife, Amy.’

  ‘Yes. Amy and I have already met at the hotel,’ Sebastian replied. ‘How are you?’ he asked her.

  ‘Fine, thanks.’

  Tammy noticed the colour in Amy’s cheeks rise as she lowered her eyes.

  ‘So what are you doing at Admiral House, Sebastian?’ Sam asked, tipping back the last of his champagne and reaching for more.

  ‘Writing my next book. Your mother kindly offered me board and lodging.’

  ‘You’re a dark horse, Mum,’ teased Nick.

  ‘Yes, for a moment then, when Sebastian walked in, I thought you’d found yourself a toy-boy,’ said Sam.

  ‘Chance would be a fine thing,’ smiled Posy. ‘Now, has everyone got everything they need?’

  Over the next hour, Posy sat at the head of the table and felt the warm glow of contentment as she watched her family together after ten years. Even Sam and Nick seemed to have put their sibling tension to one side and Nick was filling him in on his time in Australia. Tammy and Sebastian were chatting comfortably together, and the only person who seemed un-relaxed was Amy. It was probably because of the children –
Posy remembered all too well how she’d taken her boys out for Sunday lunch and remained on tenterhooks lest they misbehave. She looked exhausted and Posy couldn’t help comparing Amy’s haggard, worried expression to that of Tammy’s fresh, unlined brow.

  ‘Now, Posy, I must return upstairs to work, or more truthfully, after all that excellent wine, for a kip before I do start to work,’ said Sebastian, standing up. ‘See you again, folks.’ He waved at the assembled company and left the kitchen.

  Whilst Posy made coffee and Amy cleared the table, Nick moved round to sit by Tammy. He put an arm proprietarily round her shoulder.

  ‘Hello, darling.’ He kissed her on the neck. ‘Long time, no see. What did you think of Mum’s lodger, then?’

  ‘He was great,’ said Tammy. ‘Not at all arrogant, considering he’s such a literary star.’

  ‘Mummy, I want a wee-wee,’ piped up Sara from the other end of the table.

  ‘Okay, you come too, Jake, and then we’ll go exploring for a bit and give everyone some peace.’ Amy took the hands of her children and left the kitchen.

  ‘So, I presume Mum’s told you about her selling Admiral House to me?’ drawled Sam, refilling his wine glass.

  ‘What?! No. Why haven’t you told me, Mum?’

  Posy’s heart sank as she placed the coffee tray on the table. ‘Nothing’s definite yet, Nick, that’s why.’

  ‘You’re selling Admiral House? To Sam?’ Nick was incredulous.

  ‘To my company, yes, and what’s wrong with that?’ said Sam. ‘As I said to her, if she’s got to sell it, then it’s better to keep it in the family. And I’ve promised Mum a discount on one of the apartments, so she could stay here if she wants.’

  ‘Now, Sam, really, I’ve told you there’s no guarantee—’

  ‘“Apartments”?! What on earth is he talking about?’ The colour had drained from Nick’s face.

  ‘Mum’s going to sell the house to my property development company and we’re going to turn it into a few classy apartments. They’re all the rage these days – you can get a real premium for them, especially in a big retirement area like this. No garden maintenance – we’d employ someone full-time to look after it – good security and the like.’

  ‘God, Mum.’ Nick shook his head, trying to control his anger. ‘I just can’t believe you couldn’t have discussed this with me first, given me an opportunity to express my opinion.’

  ‘Let’s face it, bruv, you’ve been on the other side of the world for the past ten years. Life goes on,’ cut in Sam. ‘Mum’s been struggling alone with this place for ages.’

  ‘Well, it’s obvious you’ve got it all worked out between you and you don’t need me interfering.’ Nick stood up, quivering with rage and indignation. ‘Come on, Tam, it’s time we were going.’

  Tammy stood too, head lowered in embarrassment, wishing she could disappear through the floor.

  ‘Nick, please don’t go. Of course I was going to discuss it with you, ask your opinion. I . . .’ Posy shrugged helplessly.

  ‘Sounds as if you’ve already decided what you’re doing.’ Nick walked round to Posy and gave her a cursory peck on the cheek. ‘Thanks for lunch, Mum.’

  ‘Yes, thank you so much,’ said Tammy, watching Posy’s stricken expression as Nick marched towards the door. All she could do was follow. ‘I do hope we’ll meet again soon. Bye.’

  The kitchen door slammed shut behind them and Posy put her head in her hands.

  ‘Sorry, Mum,’ Sam shrugged airily. ‘I obviously presumed he knew. He’ll get over it. As a matter of fact, I was going to suggest that maybe I should offer to show Nick the pl—’

  ‘Enough, Sam! You’ve done sufficient damage for one day. I do not wish to discuss this any further. Do you understand?’

  ‘Of course.’ He had the sense to look chagrined. ‘Now, I’ll help you with the clearing up, shall I?’

  Amy wandered round the first-floor bedrooms, playing a half-hearted game of hide and seek with the children. She looked at her watch and hoped Sam would want to go home soon. She had a heap of ironing to do when she got back. How wonderful to be Tammy, she thought, just to be able to go home and read a book by the fire without being disturbed.

  ‘Mummmeee! Come and find me!’ a muffled voice said from the other end of the corridor.

  ‘I’m coming,’ she answered and followed the sound into a bedroom.

  Sebastian was sitting at a desk in front of a laptop. The desk was placed in front of one of the full-length windows, with its gorgeous view over the parterre and gardens.

  ‘God, sorry, I thought . . .’

  ‘Don’t worry.’ Sebastian turned to her. ‘I’m glad of the distraction, to be honest. That excellent red at lunch has killed off another few thousand brain-cells and I’m struggling.’

  ‘How many pages have you written?’

  ‘Not nearly enough. I’m about a third of the way through and discovering penning number two is much harder than number one.’

  ‘I would have thought it was easier, that you’d have gathered more experience from writing the first.’

  ‘True, but sometimes experience can be detrimental. When I wrote The Shadow Fields, I just threw it out onto the page, not having any idea whether it was good or bad and not really caring either way. It was a stream of consciousness, I suppose. But of course, with that having been such a success and well reviewed, I’m hoisted by my own petard, because everyone will be waiting for me to fail.’

  ‘That’s a very negative approach, if you don’t mind me saying so.’

  ‘I agree, but there’s every chance I may be a one-book wonder,’ Sebastian sighed. ‘This one really feels as though I’m having to write it and I’ve no idea if it’s good or utter rubbish.’

  ‘Mummee! Where are you?!’

  ‘I’d better go.’ Amy raised an eyebrow.

  Sebastian smiled at her. ‘I enjoyed lunch. You have a very good family.’

  ‘Tammy seems very nice. And so beautiful,’ said Amy admiringly.

  ‘Yes, she’s a lovely, warm lady, though not really my type.’

  ‘What is your type?’ It was out of her mouth before she could stop herself.

  ‘Oh, petite, slim blondes with big blue eyes.’ Sebastian eyed her. ‘Funnily enough, a bit like you.’

  A frisson of excitement jumped its way clumsily up Amy’s spine as they held each other’s gaze for a moment.

  ‘Mummy!’ Sara appeared at the door, pouting. ‘I waited and you didn’t come.’

  ‘No, I . . .’ Amy broke off eye contact, ‘sorry, darling. We should be going anyway.’

  ‘Goodbye, Sara. Bye, Amy,’ Sebastian gave them a small wave, an amused glint in his eyes. ‘See you soon.’

  Amy found Jake underneath his grandmother’s bed and the three of them walked down the stairs. What on earth had possessed her to say that to Sebastian? It had been tantamount to flirting and most unlike her. Perhaps it was the wine, or perhaps . . . perhaps it was the fact that, even though she hated to admit it to herself, she did find Sebastian attractive.

  They walked into the kitchen and found Sam and Posy silently ploughing through the washing-up.

  ‘Where are Nick and Tammy?’ she asked.

  ‘They’ve gone back to London,’ answered Posy abruptly.

  ‘You should have called me. I’d have liked to say goodbye.’

  ‘They just upped and left,’ said Sam. ‘Something I said upset Nick, I’m afraid.’

  ‘Sam told Nick I was considering selling Admiral House to him. Naturally, it was a shock. I’d have preferred to have told him gently myself, but there we go,’ explained Posy.

  ‘Sorry, Mum.’

  Amy thought Sam didn’t look very sorry at all.

  ‘Well, it can’t be helped. I shall have to call Nick and talk to him.’ Posy made an effort to smile. ‘Now, anyone for a cup of tea and a slice of Granny’s best chocolate cake?’

  ‘I just can’t believe it! How Mum could even contemplate selling Ad
miral House to Sam! It’s just . . . madness!’

  Tammy sat quietly in the passenger seat as Nick drove back to London at top speed, his knuckles white with anger on the steering wheel.

  ‘Darling, I’m sure your mum was going to tell you. It’s just one of those things.’

  ‘I saw her for lunch last week and yes, she did mention she was getting the house valued, but nothing at all about selling it to Sam. No, I bet the real reason is she knew exactly how I’d react.’

  Having listened to his outpouring for the past forty minutes, Tammy wasn’t sure whether Nick was more upset about the sale of Admiral House – his beloved childhood home – or the fact his mother was selling it to Sam.

  ‘Nick, it is terribly sad, but you have to understand your mother’s point of view. That house is far too much for her, anyone can see that. It’s not her fault she doesn’t have the money for the upkeep and restoration, is it? And if Sam’s company can buy it, then at least it sort of stays in the family, as he said.’

  ‘Tammy, you really have no idea what kind of person Sam is. When I say that he’d screw over his own mother to get what he wants, I’m not joking.’

  ‘And you think that’s what he’s doing?’

  ‘I’ve no idea, because Mum has chosen not to involve me, remember? She’s made it obvious she doesn’t need my help or advice. Well, she’s made her own bed and she can damn well lie in it!’

  Chapter 16

  Posy drove into Southwold the following morning feeling very low. Having looked forward so much to having her family around her, the way the lunch had ended had devastated her. She’d spent the night trying to think how best to resolve the situation and had reached for the telephone this morning on more than one occasion, then replaced the receiver. Nick was very much like her; she knew he needed time to cool down before he’d listen to anything she might have to say.

  She opened up the gallery, made herself a cup of tea and watched the rain pour down outside the window. The worst thing was that she knew she must come to a final decision on the sale of Admiral House. All this shilly-shallying was unsettling for all of them, not to mention the upset it had already caused. All she had to do was to pick up the telephone and tell Sam he had first refusal. Then she could hand the entire thing over to her solicitor and set about finding herself a new home.