by Dawson, H A
A room alongside the hallway was buzzing with people - about fifteen in total –and they spread into the large conservatory overlooking an extensive garden. Since it was dark outside it was difficult to see much; there were no lights coming from overlooking properties and no streetlights. Stepping deeper into the room, following in Steven’s shadow, heads turned. Leanne pressed her arm against her front and looked around the room, shrouding her nervousness.
Moments later, a man in his sixties with a carved complexion and a stout physique, approached them. His expression was deadpan. He introduced himself as Geoff, Teresa’s husband.
‘Come sit down, we won’t bite,’ he said.
‘Thanks for inviting me.’
‘It’s nothing to do with me.’
Geoff removed a bottle of wine from the cupboard, extracted the cork, and poured some into his glass.
‘You have a lovely house,’ she continued.
‘You haven’t seen much of it yet, so what makes you say that?’
Uncomfortable, she shuffled her feet.
‘I should imagine it’s no match for yours.’
She glimpsed at Steven and looked back to Geoff, before swallowing her fear. ‘I hear you’re into property. Are you an estate agent?’
‘Hell no. I buy properties to renovate and sell - either that or let out. You thinking of selling?’
‘I don’t know. Maybe.’
‘Do you think it would be a good idea to let it out as a holiday home?’ Steven asked.
Geoff took a sip of wine, his expression thoughtful. ‘It’s a bit big as it stands. It might be an idea getting permission to split it. Either that or open it as a bed and breakfast. You’ll need quite a bit of money, though.’ He glanced towards her.
She sensed he was searching for information and so she remained as poker-faced as possible, not willing to divulge her financial gains, and waited for him to continue.
‘I should imagine you’re not short of a bob or too,’ he added.
‘Money’s not everything. To me, family is more important. I have a wonderful son who makes me proud. The rest is irrelevant.’
Geoff’s eyes rolled. He walked away.
With her arms pressed tight across her body, she glanced at her feet, self-conscious and yearning for privacy and solitude. Her mind was too tense to absorb her surroundings, the gentle murmur of voices and the movement of people between the rooms, and she felt alone inside her head. When Steven’s arm landed around her middle, she almost leapt out of her skin.
‘You told him,’ he said in a quiet voice.
‘I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to cause trouble.’
‘You haven’t.’
She looked at him with doleful eyes.
‘Come on, let’s go next door and find a quiet space. I’d like to get to know you better.’
They moved away from the oppressive air and into a smaller lounge, and sat side by side on a two-seater sofa. There was adoration in his eyes, and bit-by-bit her anxieties melted and her body softened.
‘Geoff can be a bit odd,’ he whispered, ‘don’t let him bother you.’
‘You know, I don’t care about the money or the house. Family is what’s important . . . and friends.’
‘I agree.’
‘Do they have children?’
‘No, they couldn’t have any. Teresa doesn’t like to talk about it. From what I can gather it’s caused problems over the years.’
‘So they did want them?’
‘I think so.’
She reached for her glass. She had at least been blessed with motherhood. She could not imagine how she would have felt had she been infertile.
‘They’re having quite a few difficulties at the moment, so I’d appreciate it if you didn’t say anything.’
‘Of course. I wouldn’t.’
‘Now, tell me something about yourself.’
‘Like what?’
‘I don’t know. What are your hobbies, your favourite food and the places you visit to relax? I don’t care what you tell me. I just want to know more about Leanne Stark.’
She grinned. ‘Where do I start?’
She hardly noticed the steady stream of people that passed between the rooms, so absorbing was their conversation. He paid her maximum attention, despite on occasions speaking with the other guests, and her sense of worth soared. It was as though she had known him forever, a wonderful experience.
‘I’m a website designer,’ he said, ‘it sounds a bit dull, but I can work from home and it pays well.’
‘Don’t you get lonely?’
‘No. I started doing it years ago so I could be around for Jack and Lily. Andrea is a doctor in the city, and wasn’t at home much.’
‘It must be quiet now they’ve gone.’
‘I’m used to it. I have Tansy to keep me company. What about you? Do you work?’
‘I did. I was made redundant last week . . . lack of business. I worked at a small craft company. They made things to sell out of soldered copper. They sold other people’s handmade crafts too.’
‘Soldered copper? How does that work?’
‘It gets bent into shape and looks like a skeleton. We had items such as animals and boats that we’d make regularly, but we’d also make things to order.’
‘Did you make them?’
‘I did have a go once, but it wasn’t my area. I’d prepare the materials, help in the shop, and search for other outlets to increase sales.’
‘Sounds fascinating. Any chance that they might rehire you when business improves?’
‘I doubt it, but you never know. I rather fancy doing something similar on my own. I’ve always wanted to make handmade jewellery.’
‘It sounds like you have an opportunity.’
‘Yes.’ But not the motivation, she added silently.
‘What ideas do you have?’
‘Beads are often used, but I fancy doing something a bit different. Maybe using pieces of sheet metal or wire, like what we did in the factory.’
‘Have you any designs?’
‘I have some in my head but none on paper.’
‘That’s a pity. I’d love to have seen them.’
She settled back into the sofa. Perhaps now was the time to have a go. She had time on her hands and it would be a pity to waste it. She reached across for her glass and took a quenching sip of wine.
‘Hi, you two.’
She turned her head. Teresa was approaching them.
‘Enjoying yourselves?’ she asked.
‘It should be us asking you that,’ Steven said, ‘it’s your party.’
‘I’m having a fine time. I’m sorry I haven’t had much of a chance to chat. Have you helped yourselves to the food?’
‘Yes, we had something earlier.’
‘Good.’ She looked to Leanne. ‘I’m sorry I was a bit off with you yesterday. I didn’t mean anything by it. I hope we can be friends.’
‘Sure. I’d like that.’
‘How long are you planning on staying?’
She glanced to Steven. ‘Just another week. My son will be back from his father’s then.’
‘Will you be coming down on weekends?’
‘Maybe for a while. I’m trying to find out more about my family’s past.’ She hesitated, noting an anxious look in Teresa’s eyes. ‘I’m looking for my mother.’
Teresa averted her gaze, concentrating her attentions on the scuffle of bodies by the doorway.
‘How long have you lived in the village?’ Leanne asked.
‘On and off, for years.’
‘So you must know a lot of people.’
She looked at the wooden floor, polished and with a small rectangular Chinese rug near the fireplace. There were logs piled at one side and an ornate vase at the other. ‘Most of the people I know moved into the village only a few years ago, after the new housing estate was built. Like Steven.’
‘How did you two meet?’
‘He very kindly did the village web
site.’
‘Leanne’s thinking of designing and making jewellery,’ Steven said.
‘Now that sounds interesting. You must show me what you do some time. I’ve made a few pieces myself. I could do with some inspiration.’
The conversation flowed, and Leanne found herself warming to Teresa. She did not seem at all like she had done the previous day and was the quietly spoken woman Steve had inferred. She was more Leanne’s type than anticipated. Geoff, on the other hand, seemed deliberately obtuse, and as soon as he entered the room, her guard raised.
‘What’s going on in here?’ he asked.
There was a dark glare in his eyes, and she wondered if he was like that with everyone or specifically her. His entire demeanour was threatening, the piercing stare, the puffed out chest and the widening arms.
Teresa turned to him. ‘Leanne was telling me she’s thinking of setting up a handmade jewellery business.’
‘I can’t believe there’s much money in that.’
Teresa’s jaw tightened and her hand made a fist. ‘Does it always have to come down to money?’
‘You telling me, you don’t like what we have?’
‘Let’s not do this now.’
Geoff refocused his gaze. ‘Tell me, Leanne, it’s no fun being poor, is it?’
‘No.’
‘Have you had a comfortable life?’
‘I suppose I have.’
‘And have you been treated well?’
She nodded.
‘Roy and Janet never made you suffer?’
‘Of course not.’
Where was this going? Apprehensively, she looked to Steven. He seemed unperturbed by the line of questioning, as though he’d expected it.
‘Then you’re lucky. Not all of us have had it so good. Some of us have had to focus on money. If you know what you are doing, it’s a reliable way of remaining stress-free.’
‘Geoff-’ Teresa said.
He raised his hand. ‘I suspect Roy and Janet have had a good life too. Have you ever asked yourself if they deserved it, or ever considered why they inherited such a large house and never lived there?’
‘What are you getting at?’
‘Wouldn’t you think if you kept your nose clean and treated everyone well that you’d get a reward?’ He paused, assessing her blank expression. ‘That’s not how it works. You see I was the man people shit on. I didn’t deserve it, no not at all, but I had to tolerate it. There are some bad people in this world. It’s in the blood. You won’t find out until it’s too late. So you make the first move or someone else will.’
‘Geoff!’ Teresa said. ‘You’ve said enough!’
‘Leanne understands me, don’t you Leanne?’
‘I think so.’
‘Good girl. So you’ll appreciate me saying that if someone you knew treated you like shit, you’d want revenge too.’
He strode away, a can of beer in hand. Leanne gawked, watching his frame stagger into someone at the doorway and then out of view.
‘I’m sorry,’ Teresa said, ‘he’s had too much to drink. Ignore him.’
Leanne looked to Steven, helpless, as Teresa trotted after Geoff.
‘He gets like that,’ he confirmed, ‘tends to ramble.’
‘He was implying something. Did he know my grandparents?’
‘Only vaguely so far as I know.’
‘So what was he on about? It sounded like he was threatening me.’
He laid his hand on her thigh. ‘You’re reading too much into it. I’ve known him a while and whilst I don’t particularly like him I know he’s not dangerous. Believe me, it’s just the drink talking.’
‘I still think he knows something.’
‘If he’s implying anything, it’s probably aimed at me. He doesn’t like my relationship with Teresa.’
She narrowed her eyes, questioning his comment.
‘Just forget it. It’s not worth it.’
She remained quiet and pensive and looked through the open doorway where she could just about see Teresa and Geoff talking in the opposite room. Their conversation was strained, and periodically they glanced towards her. Then it struck. Were Steven and Teresa having an affair? It made sense and explained why Teresa had taken an instant dislike to her. She looked to Steven, who was chatting with another man at his side and her hopes of a growing relationship dived.
Needing a moment to process her thoughts, she stood up and headed out of the room. People were starting to depart, and the earlier muggy air generated by too many bodies was starting to lessen. She glanced at the bouquet of flowers upon a small table, inhaled a fresh floral scent and headed to the washroom.
She felt weighed down by a persistent ache inside. Splashing her face, she called upon her memories of Janet and Phillip to provide her with strength, and in an instant saw her grandmother’s creased skin, loose around her arms and face, and Phillip’s encouraging smile. She longed for their support and craved a hug.
Geoff’s warning rang through her head. It was not her fault that she had led a reasonable life. It was clear he had suffered in some way, but she had had her fair share of that too. Puffing out, she thought about the comfort and serenity of her empty house.
After a few moments, Leanne decided it was too soon for new relationships and strained social interaction, and decided to leave. She opened the door, and whilst aware of a low mumble of voices coming from the hallway, one particular conversation caught her attention. She stood by the door, her pulse throbbing in her throat, and started to eavesdrop.
Geoff and Steven were talking.
‘Leanne’s not right for you. Have you heard the rumours about her mother? She was a bit of a goer in her day. Do you want that again?’
‘Where have you heard that?’
‘Ted Moore for a start. From what I hear, he knew her pretty well.’
‘That’s nothing to do with Leanne.’
‘Are you willing to take that chance?’
‘I wouldn’t want to . . .’
With her body sapped of strength, Leanne leaned against the wall and listened to the conversation die away. Their budding relationship wasn’t worth the effort, and anyhow, it seemed that Steven had already made a decision based on a woman neither of them had known. Having drawn strength, she darted across and grabbed her coat, and announced she was leaving.
‘Hang on a minute, I’ll take you.’
‘Don’t worry, I’ll walk.’
‘Don’t be silly.’
She stepped away.
‘Is something wrong?’ he asked, rushing to her side.
‘No, I’m just tired.’
He scampered into the next room, said something to Teresa, and met her at the outer door.
‘Okay. Let’s go.’
Outside, the air was freezing and it bit at her exposed skin, causing her to huddle her body. The wind whistled through the hedges and trees, and the stars and slither of moon twinkled in the sky. Within minutes, they arrived at her house.
‘Thanks for tonight,’ she said.
‘Sorry, it was a bit strained with Geoff. It will get easier. Teresa likes you.’
She opened the car door and stepped outside.
‘See you soon?’
She passed him a sad stare, pressed closed the door and strode towards her house. After a few moments, he drove away.
Leanne settled herself onto her mattress and removed all notions of Steven from her head. The exchange she had eavesdropped was disappointing, but it wasn’t earth shattering. He was a friend, a very recent friend at that, and held little value in her life. She decided that if he was to be so judgemental as to decide who she was based on rumours about her mother, then he wasn’t worth pursuing.
Yet, it was frustrating. Others knew more about the woman who had given birth to her, than she. She should ask around and pretend local gossip was of interest. She should visit the café and talk to Mrs Prattler.
Did she care enough to do that? The stress of knowing so little
was starting to be a burden, and she thought of her previous life and her home, her real home. She may not have her family, but at least she was away from prying eyes and disparaging comments.
Her breaths slowed and she willed herself to be at peace. She calmed her mind, removed everything extraneous from her head, and then, once she felt tranquil, she searched for the answers she needed. Geoff and Teresa knew something beyond their admissions - the sideways glances, the uncomfortable shuffles, and the nonsensical rambling, all clues.
She drifted. She floated. She searched.
Their fractious exchange was her guiding force.
Chapter 12
The room was silent, yet the sound of voices flooded Teresa’s ears. The aroma was different too, not familiar and not her own. Unfamiliar perfumes and aftershaves lingered in the air, combining with smoke. It seemed like an altogether different place, and she longed to restore the equilibrium and make it feel like home.
She gathered the empty glasses onto a tray and carried them to the kitchen. There was barely a centimetre of space on the extensive worktops, with the remains of the finger food on separate plates and stacks of dirty crockery alongside. She started by placing the food waste into a bin-liner and putting the crockery into the dishwasher. Then she added the glasses. There were too many to go into one load, and she held some aside, lining them up on the marble surface.
Her birthday party had been a success, despite being on a Sunday, and her mind wandered through the numerous conversations. Everyone had wished her well, most had been generous with gifts, and it generated a warm glow inside. She still had her friends, despite everything.
Geoff staggered into the kitchen. The top part of his shirt was unbuttoned, his rounded stomach sagged over his jeans, and his hair, grey and wild, was in need of a cut. Her stomach churned. Where was the man she had fallen in love with, the man that cared about his appearance, the man that was kind and compassionate? Had her eyes deceived her? Had he always carried a disapproving, moody glint?