by Anna Jacobs
The two cousins fell into each other’s arms, Angie weeping uncontrollably, Deb patting her back trying to offer comfort and shedding more tears with her.
Laura wished she could fall into someone’s arms and weep herself senseless. Kit’s face sprang immediately to mind, but she banished it sternly. She had to remember that he wasn’t the faithful sort. She wasn’t going to make the same mistake again. Only . . . she’d turned to him instinctively for help this evening and he’d immediately been there for her. And he was very kind, caring . . . Well, Craig hadn’t been all bad, either.
Sue and Trev walked slowly along the path, standing in the doorway now that the two weeping girls had moved on into the hall. Laura thought her sister’s face looked haggard and didn’t know whether to go and hug her or not. She turned round. The two girls couldn’t go on crying like that. “Shh now,” she said, putting a hand on each of their shoulders. “You’ll upset Mum.”
She turned back to Sue.
Her sister’s face crumpled. “I haven’t seen Dad for weeks. I deliberately didn’t come to see him. And I didn’t help him enough. He might still be alive if - ”
Laura put an arm round her and they hugged as convulsively as their daughters had. “There are always regrets when someone dies. You think of things you wish you’d done differently. I was the same with Craig.” She saw Deb turn to stare at her, surprise written on her face and asked bluntly, “Did you think I didn’t care about your father, wasn’t sorry he’d died so young?”
Deb opened her mouth, closed it again and made a helpless gesture. Laura turned back to Sue and for a moment longer the two sisters stood together, arms round one another’s shoulders, then Sue disentangled herself from the embrace and moved back to Trev’s side.
“Mum’s in the kitchen and Dad - ” Laura’s voice broke for a moment, then she finished what she’d been saying, “ - is in the front room.”
“I want to see him,” Sue said.
“So do I.” Angie came to stand beside her mother and tentatively put an arm round her.
Her father watched them anxiously, but Sue clutched her daughter’s arm and they went into the front room together.
“He looks peaceful,” Sue said. “So very peaceful. Oh, I’m so glad I’ve seen him! It’s as if he’s gone to sleep.”
“Pop’s been tired for a long time,” Angie said quietly.
“I wish - ” Sue’s voice broke, “ - I’d been in a state to realise that.”
“Pop knew you couldn’t help it, Mum. He always seemed to understand.”
Trev stood in the doorway and said in a low voice to Laura, “We need to talk, make arrangements. Can we go into the kitchen now?”
“I can’t. Mum gets agitated if I go near her.”
“Perhaps the girls could get her to bed? Angie?”
She nodded and went with Deb into the kitchen.
Laura watched as the two girls coaxed her mother upstairs then went to put the kettle on. “I’m thirsty. I keep thinking I shouldn’t be, but that’s silly. We’d better wait till the girls come down before we decide anything - what to do about Mum and how to run Dad’s funeral.”
“Shall I wait in the front room?” Kit asked. “Or I can go out and wait in my car?”
Laura turned to him and for a minute they seemed to be the only people in the room. “You don’t need to leave. You’ve been such a help. And I doubt we’ll be saying anything particularly private.”
Kit and Trev managed to keep a conversation of sorts going about his life as a foreign correspondent, but it seemed a long time before the girls rejoined them.
“Now,” said Laura once everyone was seated. “About Mum . . . ”
“I think Social Services will find her a place in a nursing home,” Sue said. “They probably have an emergency line.”
Angie spoke hesitantly, “It’d seem wrong to send her away until after the funeral, don’t you think? Moving to a new place is bound to upset her and she might not be in any state to attend the funeral.”
Laura nodded. “I think Dad would want her to be there for him. I think she should be there.”
“I could look after her for a few days, with Deb’s help and the carer’s,” Angie said. “Gran’s used to me being here.”
“Will she even know what’s happening?” Trev asked gently. “And will she behave herself? Look at the way she reacts to Laura. What if she creates a scene?”
“That doesn’t matter,” Angie insisted. “She should be there. And we’d only have to look after her for a day or two.”
Deb couldn’t hide her apprehension. “I’ll do my best, but I’m not as good with her as you are.”
“I’ll provide meals for you all. I wish I could help in other ways, but I’m very proud of you two for volunteering.” Once again Laura saw the surprise on her daughter’s face, but she’d meant what she said and even managed a quick smile at her.
Sue looked up and cleared her throat. “I can come and sit with Mum for an hour or two to give the girls a break - if she’ll let me. I haven’t seen her for a few months, but I’ll try.”
“You have enough on getting yourself better, love,” Trev said quietly.
Sue shook her head. “I need to do something or I’ll never forgive myself.”
Trev didn’t look convinced but didn’t press the point. “About the funeral. Your dad’s made all the arrangements for both their funerals and paid for them in advance. He said he didn’t want to be a trouble to anyone and gave me all the details. I can ring the Funeral Director now, if you like.” When everyone nodded, he went and picked up the phone.
Laura’s voice wobbled. “Isn’t that just like Dad? Oh, and Ryan’s coming to England for the funeral. I rang him to explain what had happened and he said he was definitely coming, but there were complications. So he’s going to ring me again in the morning to tell me the details.”
* * * *
By the time the funeral people had taken Ron Cleaton’s body away, everyone was exhausted as well as sad.
Laura let Kit drive her home and immediately moved towards the stairs. “I’m too tired to speak coherently. Thank you for being there for me tonight.”
She didn’t meet his eyes as she spoke. He watched her go up and made no attempt to detain her because he was as tired as she was. Something was definitely wrong, though, and he intended to get to the bottom of it in the morning. But you didn’t handle things well when you were exhausted.
When he went into the kitchen, he stopped dead at the sight of Joe and Gil sitting there. What now?
Joe stood up, glanced at Gil and rushed into speech. “We arrived to see you just as your friends were leaving. They told us about Laura’s father and said they’d decided to leave early. They’ve left you a note.”
“Oh. Right.”
“But I still wanted to see you. I hope you don’t mind us staying? We cleared up the kitchen - some things had burnt - and there’s some food ready if you need it.”
Kit hauled himself across to a kitchen chair, feeling unutterably weary, but from the expression on Joe’s face this was important, so he forced a smile. “If someone will get me a beer and a sandwich, I’d be hugely grateful.”
“I’ll do it,” Gil said. “I’m a much better cook than he is, even with sandwiches.”
Joe sat down and began to fiddle with a beaker, turning it round slowly and carefully, aligning it with a second beaker, then moving them both. “I wanted you to be the first to know. Gil’s moving in with me and - I’m coming out, letting people know I’m - gay.”
Gil came across to put one hand on Joe’s shoulder. “He’s still embarrassed by it all, though. I hope you’ll understand that we love one another.”
“I do understand and I’m glad for you.”
Joe looked at him in such utter relief Kit leaned across and clasped his brother’s hand. “You silly bugger, did you think I’d mind? All I want is for you to be happy, and to be yourself.”
They sat there for a minute, s
till clasping one another’s hands then Kit extended one hand to Gil as well. “Welcome to the family.”
“Oh, sorry! Am I interrupting something? Only I was too hungry and thirsty to sleep.”
He turned to see Laura standing there in her dressing gown. “Not at all. Come and hear the good news. Joe and Gil are moving in together.”
She looked from the large, blushing man to the smaller one, who rolled his eyes then winked at her. “I’m glad for you both.”
“That’s just what Kit said,” Gil told her. He looked at Joe. “I told you most folk won’t have a fit about it.”
Laura watched them exchange loving glances. It was good to see such happiness after the sadness of today.
Gil clicked his tongue. “You sit down, Laura, and I’ll get you a sandwich. I know it’s your kitchen but I won’t make a mess and you look tired out.”
As she sat down, Joe suddenly looked horrified. “I forgot. I’m sorry about your father. We shouldn’t be flaunting our good news at you.”
“It’s great to hear something positive. This has been a very sad day, but it’s nice to know that life goes on.”
Gil put a beaker in front of her and another in front of Kit. “Hot chocolate. It’s much too late for coffee or beer. Joe, come and help me with the sandwiches, then we’ll go and leave these two in peace. No, don’t get up, we can let ourselves out.”
Laura was too hungry to go back to the safety of her bedroom, so she ate and drank quickly, then stood up.
Kit put out one hand to stop her. “I know something’s upsetting you. I was going to sort it out in the morning, but I think we’d better do it now.”
She didn’t want to discuss anything just now, most definitely not. “I’m too tired.”
He stood up, a look of determination on his face, so she fled up the stairs.
“Laura! Laura, come back.”
But she didn’t.
He stood at the bottom for a moment, then shook his head and went to bed, lying awake for a long time worrying about her. It was since his friends’ visit, so it must be to do with that. Had Jules been stirring up mischief? He wouldn’t put it past her. But surely Laura wouldn’t believe anything without checking with him first?
And you couldn’t pressure someone about their feelings when they’d just lost a beloved father.
No, he’d have to be patient for a while.
Chapter 28
Barry smiled at Caitlin, an insufferably smug expression that made Ryan want to punch him in the face.
“Aren’t you going to invite us in, Caitlin dear?” Mrs Sheedy asked.
“It’s not my place to invite you into someone else’s house.”
As Ryan put his arm round her, he saw the parents exchange glances. “Why don’t you all come in? We have to be somewhere in half an hour’s time, but we can spare you fifteen minutes now.”
“Don’t let us keep you,” Barry said. “It’s Caitlin we’ve come to see.”
“We both need to be somewhere, I’m afraid.”
“Caitlin’s going nowhere with you,” Mr Sheedy’s voice was hoarse with anger.
“I think that’s up to her.” Ryan led the way into the living area and gestured to the chairs. The parents took the sofa and Barry the only easy chair, so he turned two of the dining chairs round for himself and Caitlin, managing to wink at her as he did so. She looked as if she was struggling to keep calm, but whether this was from fear of her parents or from anger he couldn’t tell. He sat down and took hold of her hand while they waited for the others to speak.
Barry looked sideways at Mr and Mrs Sheedy, as if silently urging them to speak.
Mrs Sheedy pulled out a handkerchief and dabbed at her eyes.
Mr Sheedy focused on his daughter. “What the hell do you think you’re doing, living with another man? And that man’s son, too! Did you learn nothing from your association with his father?”
“Caitlin, don’t do this,” her mother begged. “Don’t shame us. Remember how we brought you up. Remember we love you, you’re our only child.” She began to sob into the handkerchief.
Ryan felt Caitlin’s hand jerk in his and saw her biting her lip. He took it upon himself to reply. “Do you know why she’s living here?” He was surprised at how relaxed his voice sounded, because he felt angry at the way they were treating their daughter - and him. If looks could kill he’d have died instantly he opened the door, and her father was still glaring at him as if he were a criminal. There was no love in the way the father looked at their daughter, either, though the mother was upset rather than angry. “It’s not because we’re sleeping together, because actually, we’re not.”
“Why else would she move out of her own place?” Mr Sheedy asked. “Don’t take us for fools!”
“Your daughter’s staying here,” Ryan continued, “because her cousin kept harassing her. It was either take out a restraining order against him or move out of her own flat.”
Mrs Sheedy stared at him in shock. “Barry wouldn’t! He loves you, we all do.”
“It’s not harassing to care about your cousin, to want to help her,” Barry declared in that flat, heavy tone.
Ryan scowled at him. “You’ve been harassing her for a while now, Donovan. She left Western Australia because of you. You turned up to pester her when she’d just lost the baby and was in a fragile state, and even that didn’t stop you.”
Her husband gave Ryan one scornful glance. “It was the Lord’s will that she lost it. Who are we to question that? And as for your lies about my nephew, you’re wasting your time. I’d not believe anything that man’s son said. I’m here to take my daughter back to where she’s loved and cared for, where she can be forgiven and brought back into the fold.”
Caitlin stood up so suddenly she took everyone by surprise. “I’m not going with you now or ever. There’s nothing to forgive and I’ve told you several times I no longer believe as you do. Why will you not leave me alone?”
“Because you’re our daughter.”
“That doesn’t give you the right to dictate to me what I do. I’m twenty-five, not a child. I make my own choices in life. And what’s more, Barry, if you don’t leave me alone, I will take out a restraining order against you.”
He said nothing, just let out a sniff that sounded scornful to Ryan.
Caitlin paused for a moment, then said loudly, “I know you’re not really listening to me, Barry, because you only ever hear what you want to. It’s no use continuing this discussion, so will you please leave? As Ryan said, we have an appointment elsewhere.”
“I’m going nowhere till you come with me.” Mr Sheedy folded his arms. “I’ve prayed for guidance on this, Caitlin, and I know my duty.”
“In that case, we’ll have to ring the police and ask them to get you out.” Caitlin turned to Ryan. “This is the sort of emotional bullying I’ve lived with all my life. It wasn’t till I moved out that I realised how differently other families lived - how much happier other girls were. So I’m never moving back and as for having anything to do with him,” she jabbed a finger in Barry’s direction, “I hope I never see him again as long as I live.”
“You heard your daughter. Please leave now,” Ryan said quietly into the shocked silence.
Mrs Sheedy, who was weeping into her handkerchief, half stood up but her husband shook his head at her and she subsided into the seat again. Barry glared at Ryan.
There was the sound of someone moving about in the flat next door. Ryan stood up. “I’ll just be a minute.” He came back with a man who looked as if he’d just finished a hard night’s work. “Will you witness what I’m going to say, Tom?” He turned to his unwanted visitors. “Please leave my flat now, all three of you.”
By this time Mrs Sheedy was looking scared, but the two men still shook their heads and stayed where they were.
“Can Caitlin come and sit in your flat while I call the police?” Ryan asked. “I know it’s a lot to ask when you’ve just come off shift, Tom, but she’
s not well. She’s just lost a baby, and they’re bullying her.”
“Sure.”
Barry moved quickly to block the door. “She’s going nowhere. We’re her family. She belongs with us.”
Tom gaped at him then turned to Ryan. “Glad you came for me. Phone the police. I’ll stay here till they come.”
Ryan picked up the phone.
“No!” Mrs Sheedy stood up. “Don’t. We’re leaving.” She turned to her husband. “Dennis, you’re taking things too far.”
“Do you want to lose your daughter, Sandra?”
She looked at Caitlin sadly. “We’ve lost her already. But you know you’ll always be welcome at home, don’t you, love - always.”
Barry’s gaze burned across the room. “I’m not finished with you, Caitlin. You’ll find out just how tenacious I am when there’s a soul to be saved - especially your soul.”
“You see, Mrs Sheedy. He is harassing her,” Ryan said.
Caitlin’s mother shook her head, weeping quietly as they all three walked out.
Ryan watched them leave, let out his breath in a long gust of relief and turned to Tom, who was grinning now. “Thanks, mate.” They shook hands and when Tom had gone, Ryan turned to Caitlin, expecting to find her in tears. But she wasn’t. Instead her eyes were sparkling with anger.
“Barry is crazy. And I’ve been crazy too for worrying about hurting my parents. My mother’s played that trick too often, weeping piteously. It’s sucked me in before - but not any more. They don’t worry about hurting me, do they? They don’t even listen! It’s sad to cut yourself off from your family, but that’s what I’ll have to do if I want a life of my own. And I do.”
Ryan put his arm round her. “I’ll help in any way I can.”
She sighed and sagged against him for a moment. “You’re a lovely man, Ryan Wells.”
“You’re not half bad yourself, Caitlin Sheedy.”
They walked out of the building together to see Barry sitting in his car outside.
“I don’t need this,” Caitlin muttered. “At this rate he’ll be flying to England with us.”