Coming Home

by Fern Britton

  ‘I’ve already got one, thanks.’

  ‘Okay. Shall we drink together? Or alone like a couple of saddos?’

  He looked at his pint sitting all by itself on the bar just a few feet away. ‘Okay. We’ll drink together, on the promise that we don’t mention my mother.’

  ‘Done deal.’ She smiled.

  He got his pint and hauled himself up onto the stool beside hers. ‘So, where shall we start?’

  ‘Tricky opener,’ she teased. ‘How about you first. Tell me about your work in London.’

  He eyed her up. Without her legal face on, she was really quite pretty, in a girl-next-doorsy kind of way. ‘I am in an office with a lot of other guys – and some women, you’ll be pleased to know …’

  ‘Why pleased?’

  ‘Well, you’re probably a feminist so I don’t want you to think I live in an altogether male world.’

  ‘I’m not probably a feminist. I am a feminist. So as long as I treat you as an equal, you may treat me as an equal.’

  ‘Oh, right, that’s me told.’

  ‘Carry on. Large office. Mixed sex and …?’

  ‘Yeah, I’m a corporate surveyor for an expanding company and I check out plots of valuable land for people who want to make squillions.’

  ‘Are you good at it?’

  ‘Yes. I got a good bonus at the end of last year.’

  ‘So you’re doing all right?’

  ‘Aha, now, you’re trying to get me to say I don’t need Granny’s money. Leading the witness?’

  ‘Would I do that?’ She curled her lips up into one of the prettiest smiles Henry could remember. ‘But you have a house in London?’

  ‘Clapham, and before you ask, yes, old Mr Penhaligon, Granny’s solicitor, gave me a little money for the deposit, on the understanding that if my mother was ever found, then I would pay it back.’

  ‘Could you?’

  ‘No. After the mortgage and the bills there’s not much left at the end of the month.’

  ‘But your bonus?’

  ‘I helped Ella a bit and …’ He stopped, realising he’d told her too much. ‘Bugger.’ He said and drank his beer.

  Deborah laughed. ‘Sorry. It’s force of habit. Getting people to confess.’

  He was mildly impressed. ‘So, you do criminal stuff as well as probate, do you?’

  ‘Yes, but when Old Mr Penhaligon retired the offer to come down here was too good to miss. I decided I loved the sea and Cornwall more than the workings of the criminal mind.’

  ‘I’ll drink to that.’ He emptied his glass. ‘Another?’

  ‘I think I need to eat more than crisps first.’

  ‘I’ll get the menu.’

  He ordered the drinks and two plates of whitebait with chips. Lily took his money and winked at Deborah. ‘Why don’t you two find a table and I’ll bring it to you? There’s one round the corner in the snug. It’s a bit dark but it’s private.’

  She wasn’t kidding. Two wall lights with red lampshades cast a boudoir effect over the small space filled by a table and two armchairs. They made themselves comfortable.

  ‘Your turn,’ Henry said. ‘Tell me about you. Ever been married?’

  ‘Close. I broke off an engagement when I came down here.’

  ‘Why?’

  ‘He had a daughter from a previous relationship and didn’t want to live three hundred miles away from her.’

  ‘Fair enough. Although,’ he smiled, ‘she’s going to miss out on some cracking holidays.’

  ‘Yes, and I’m missing out on marrying a nice man.’

  Henry didn’t know how to reply to that.

  ‘What about you?’ Deborah asked. ‘Anyone special in your life?’

  ‘Lots of girls, obviously, but I have no plan to settle down anytime soon.’

  ‘Love ’em and leave ’em eh?’

  ‘I’ve told you too much again! How do you do this, Deborah?’

  ‘Debs, please.’

  The whitebait and chips arrived and they tucked in.

  Debs had a good look at him from under her eyelashes. A slick City Boy hair cut; a body that suggested regular trips to the gym and clean hands with well-shaped nails. His face was slightly irregular, but attractively so, with a tiny scar below his bottom lip and a crooked nose. ‘Were you ever a rugby player?’ she asked, picking up a whitebait and scooping it into a pile of tartare sauce. A glob of it dropped on the lapel of her jacket which she failed to notice and Henry was much too gentlemanly too mention.

  ‘Yeah. Why?’

  ‘I saw the scar.’

  He rubbed at it. ‘Teeth went through. Broke my bloody nose at the same time.’

  ‘Do you still play?’

  ‘No. I like to run. Do a few weights still. Swim.’ He thought about Ella. ‘I was supposed to be swimming with Ella and Kit this weekend but I think I’ve blown it now.’

  He told her about the deal they had made.

  ‘You can come swimming with me instead.’ Debs surprised herself for saying it. The wine was having too much of an effect on her.

  ‘Sure. Love to,’ he said, touchingly pleased.

  She looked at her watch. ‘Well, that was lovely.’ She pushed her empty plate away and finished her wine.

  ‘You’re not going, are you?’

  ‘I must. I have an early office meeting tomorrow.’

  ‘Do you have far to go tonight?’

  ‘No, I’m just around the corner.’

  ‘Let me walk you back.’

  She was on her feet now, looking for her purse in order to pay the bill. ‘Not at all. It’s been a nice evening after a difficult day and I promise that all we have spoken about tonight will remain confidential.’

  He stood up too. ‘I insist on walking you.’

  She relented. ‘Okay, but I’m paying this bill. My treat.’

  He held his hands up in submission. ‘My treat next time.’

  Lily said goodnight to them both as they left the bar and smiled to herself.

  Debs and Henry began walking towards the lights of the harbour.

  ‘Hasn’t changed much since I was a child,’ mused Henry. ‘We used to crab off the wall here. Poppa had a little boat that he’d take out mackerel fishing. I didn’t like it much. Hated the poor things gasping before he knocked them on the noggin.’

  Debs laughed. ‘Noggin?’

  Henry put her arm through hers. ‘Don’t laugh at me.’

  ‘It’s such a great word.’

  ‘Lots of good words Poppa had. He was a lovely man, even after his breakdown. Granny was so strong. God knows what would have happened to Ella and me without them.’

  They walked on, past the lane leading to Debs’ house, and down to the water. The small town was quiet. Their footsteps echoing off the ancient cobbles. He led her to a wooden bench at the end of the harbour wall where they could hear the sea quietly lapping in the darkness.

  There was a cold breeze and Debs pulled the lapels of her jacket up to stop the draught running down her neck.

  ‘Cold? Here.’ He put his arm around her and hugged her to his side. ‘Better.’

  ‘Thank you.’

  She closed her eyes and noticed the warmth of his body and then the scent of his cologne, musky and masculine. ‘What aftershave are you wearing?’

  ‘Creed.’

  ‘It’s lovely.’

  ‘Sitting here, with you, is lovely.’

  She lifted her head and gave him a puzzled look. ‘Really?’

  He had to kiss her, so he did.

  ‘That was unexpected,’ she whispered as they broke apart.

  ‘It was.’ He smiled. ‘Shall we do it again just to make sure it wasn’t a fluke?’

  This new and surprising closeness flowed over them with ease. Finally, Debs broke away. ‘I know this is boring, but I really do have to get up early.’

  ‘I know. And I must get home to Ella and apologise.’

  ‘You can’t drive. You’ve had too much. I can give you a
coffee at home. Sober you up?’

  He kissed the tip of her nose lightly. ‘Thank you.’

  They walked back up to her little house that sat in the middle of a terrace of old fishing houses. It began to drizzle as she put the key in the lock.

  The door opened into her unlit tiny lounge.

  She closed the door behind them, took Henry’s hand and led him upstairs.

  26

  Ella and Kit left the Starfish shortly after Deborah. Ella had given her mother a warm hug. ‘I’m sorry about Henry. I’ll talk to him.’

  ‘I’m sorry I have caused such friction,’ Sennen said ruefully. ‘I honestly hadn’t meant to. But I don’t regret coming home and seeing you both.’

  ‘Would you like my mobile number?’ asked Ella.

  Mother and daughter swapped numbers and said their farewells, promising to be in touch soon.

  Now, only Sennen and Rosemary were left.

  ‘Another margarita?’ asked Rosemary.

  ‘Oh God, yes.’ Sennen slumped in her chair and exhaled loudly. ‘What a day.’

  The margaritas arrived and the two women sipped on them peacefully and thankfully.

  ‘Ella’s a good girl, and so like you,’ said Rosemary.

  ‘I like the look of Kit,’ smiled Sennen, relaxing further into her chair. ‘They seem comfortable together.’

  Rosemary stretched her legs out and kicked her shoes off. ‘Henry’s hard work though.’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘Anything from Kafir?’

  ‘No.’ Sennen felt suddenly wretched. ‘What have I done?’

  ‘The right thing.’

  ‘But have I? Why do I keep making a mess? Ella and Henry don’t need or want me and I’ve thrown away my marriage. I’m going to lose Aali and Sabu, my parents rubbed me out of their life …’

  Rosemary shook her head. ‘Oh, hello. Nora Negative has arrived!’

  ‘Shut up.’

  ‘If Posy Positive were here she’d be congratulating herself. She’s come home, her kids are at least willing to meet her, she has a family in India who love her very much—’

  ‘They don’t,’ Sennen groaned. ‘They’d be here now if they did.’

  ‘The reason Kafir is not here is because he’s hurting, and he wouldn’t be hurting if he didn’t love you to bits. After all, it’s not as if you’ve been unfaithful to him, is it?’ Rosemary had a terrible thought. ‘Is it?’

  Sennen gave a short laugh. ‘Absolutely not. Alan was my first and Kafir the last, with no one in between.’

  ‘Really?’ asked Rosemary, more interested than she should be.

  ‘Really.’

  ‘Even I managed more than that.’

  Sennen looked at her friend. ‘Tell me. Tell me about all that has happened to you since I put you on the ferry.’

  27

  Henry woke up in Deborah’s bedroom – and immediately regretted it. What the hell had he been thinking? Without moving any part of his body, other than his eyes, he took in his surroundings. Everything was very white. Ceiling, walls, duvet cover, wafting curtains against the open window where daylight was creeping. He swivelled his eyeballs with some discomfort to the right. There was Debs, lying on her back and gently snoring.

  He needed to leave.

  Feeling like James Bond avoiding the hidden laser alarms, he inched himself out of bed and quietly picked up his clothes which were scattered on the floor, tangled with Debs’. She coughed. He ducked. She was quiet and then the snoring started up again.

  He felt a heel but he really had to get out of here. Ella would be furious. He mustn’t tell her. Under no circumstances. But would Debs spill the beans? He wondered whether he should wake her up and tell her this had to be a secret between them, but, coward that he was, he crept downstairs and left a note by her kettle. Morning. Had to go. X

  He let himself out of the front door and ran as quickly as his hangover would allow him.

  In the glove box of his car he found a roll of extra-strong mints and put four in his mouth to kill any telltale aromas of alcohol. Ella had the nose of a bloodhound.

  As he drove out of Trevay, his mouth open to cool his burning tongue, he tried to come up with a feasible story as to why he hadn’t come home last night but as Henry coasted towards Marguerite Cottage, the engine switched off, he noted, with joy, that all the curtains were still closed.

  He put his head on the steering wheel in relief and to ease the pain.

  Once inside the cottage, he tiptoed up the stairs, across the landing and towards his bedroom door. He congratulated himself as he placed his hand on the handle.

  ‘I’ve been so worried.’ Ella had appeared from the bathroom and was tying up her dressing-gown belt. ‘Where have you been?’

  Henry leapt with fear and screamed, ‘Fuuck!’ whilst clutching his chest.

  ‘Shh,’ said Ella crossly. ‘No need to wake Kit up.’ She stepped towards him and sniffed. ‘That old trick.’ She put her hands on her hips. ‘Extra-strong mints will never cover the amount of booze you’ve sunk. Come downstairs. I want to talk to you.’

  Meekly, he followed her.

  Debs woke up and stretched from top to toe. She smiled, remembering last night. She rolled over to see Henry’s adorable little face but he wasn’t there. He must be downstairs making a coffee. She would help him. She got out of bed and walked naked down the stairs, hoping to seduce him again. ‘Henry?’ she called seductively. He was not in her tiny front room. She padded into the galley kitchen. Not there either. Then she realised, he must be in the bathroom which was just beyond the kitchen. ‘Henry?’ she called. ‘I’m making coffee. Hot, strong and sweet. Want some?’ She arranged herself in what she hoped was an attractive nude stance outside the bathroom door but she couldn’t hear any movement. She put her ear to the door and then tapped. ‘Henry? I’m putting the kettle on now. Coffee, tea or me?’

  She chuckled as she went to the kettle and then she saw his note.

  She ran to the empty bathroom and was sick.

  She heard her phone ping as she walked gingerly from the loo, feeling better but weak.

  She looked at the message and swore. Sennen wanted to know if she’d be free for another family meeting, this time in Deborah’s office. I need to make my position clear to Ella and Henry about my parents’ legacy. Would you be free at 10? And arrange for them to be there?

  Sennen rubbed her temples, poured herself a coffee and then replied. What a marvellous idea. I am free at … She stopped and looked at the clock on her radio – 09.00. She swore. Hastily she typed, Yep 10 is perfect. Will text them.

  Ella poured boiling water into the two mugs and stirred in milk and sugar. She passed one to Henry. ‘Get this down you.’

  ‘Thanks,’ he said obediently, trying to remember his fictitious backstory.

  ‘So,’ Ella pulled out a chair and sat at the table, ‘where were you last night?’

  ‘I found a pub and had a few drinks. To be honest, I wasn’t thinking straight. The shock of discovering an Indian family and all that was too much.’

  ‘Uh huh,’ Ella said patiently, crossing her legs and waggling a slippered foot. ‘And then where did you go?’

  ‘Nowhere.’

  ‘Where did you sleep?’

  ‘In the car.’

  She looked at him. ‘I will ask you again: where did you sleep?’

  ‘I told you, in the car.’

  ‘I don’t believe you.’

  ‘It’s true.’ He flopped back in his chair like a teenager denying he cheated at his exams.

  ‘So why, when I asked Kit to go and look for you, did he find your car empty?’

  Henry’s brain was not functioning as fast as he’d like, ‘When was that?’

  ‘Just before midnight.’

  ‘I went for a walk to sober up and woke up on that bench down by the harbour wall. Poppa’s crabbing bench?’ He was rather pleased to have added a touch of truth, but was clutching at straws and he knew it. However, it was
bang on target. Ella’s natural empathy kicked in.

  ‘Oh no,’ she wailed, ‘it was so cold last night. You must have been freezing.’

  He nodded pathetically.

  She stood up and kissed the top of his head. ‘I’ll run you a nice hot bath.’ As she got to the stairs her mobile phone, sitting next to Henry on the kitchen table, trilled a text. She called over her shoulder, ‘Would you check that for me?

  ‘Sure.’ His hangover was pounding but he valiantly focused his eyes on the name of the text. He blenched and swallowed hard. It was from Deborah.

  ‘Read it to me, then,’ said Ella, hanging on to the bannister.

  ‘It’s from, er, Debs.’ He cleared his throat. ‘Deborah.’

  ‘Oh? What does she want?’

  ‘She says, Mrs Tallon-Kaur would like to meet you and your brother at 10 this morning in my office. Would you mind passing this message to Henry and letting me know if you will both be attending?’

  ‘Great. Tell her we’ll both be there.’ Ella took a couple of stairs two at a time.

  Henry wavered. ‘Wait, let’s think about it. Isn’t it too soon after last night? I mean, yesterday afternoon.’

  ‘Not at all. Strike while the iron’s hot.’

  ‘But the last two meetings have ended up in rows.’

  Ella returned from the stairs and entered the kitchen. ‘Which is why we need to move on. The money Granny left is hers. End of. When that’s sorted we can begin to build bridges. I was saying to Kit last night how lovely it would be to go to India and meet our little brother and sister.’

  Henry rubbed the back of his neck. ‘Do we have to do this today?’

  ‘Yes.’ She took his hand. ‘Now come and be a good boy and have a bath.’

  Sennen read Deborah’s text and smiled. Here was another chance to prove to her children that she was not thinking of herself where her parent’s money was concerned. She contemplated getting up and having a shower.

  Rosemary popped her head around the bedroom door.

  ‘Morning. Sleep well?’

  ‘Wonderfully well. The margaritas did their job.’

  ‘Good. I bring caffeine in case you need a lift.’

  Sennen stretched out in the pretty little bed in Rosemary’s spare room.