‘Is it?’ Katherine patted her ash-blonde bob. ‘I had it done specially yesterday, you see. For my very special guests.’
‘Who are they?’ Stephanie inquired innocently.
‘Why, you and Mummy, of course.’
‘Oh!’ Stephanie’s eyes lit up. She hadn’t thought of herself as a Very Special Guest. ‘What will I call you?’ she asked as she unbuttoned her smart red coat.
‘Well, I’m your grandmother. How about Gran?’
‘Gran, guess what?’ Stephanie hadn’t a hint of shyness about her as she gazed up at her new grandmother.
‘What, dear?’
‘It was my birthday on Saint Stephen’s Day. ’Cos that’s why I’m called Stephanie. And I was seven. And guess what?’
‘You’ll have to tell me.’ Katherine smiled.
‘We had a party. But it wasn’t really for grownups. And do you know what Julie Ann did?’
‘What did she do?’
‘She saw my Spirograph and she wanted it and she broke one of my special Spirograph pens.’
‘Tsk, tsk! What a shame,’ Katherine tutted, entranced by her granddaughter’s direct air.
‘An’ then you know what?’ Stephanie’s eyes were wide. ‘She ate all the chocolate biscuits and gave herself a pain in her tummy and then she went blah all over the floor. And Auntie Emma was really cross.’
‘I bet she was,’ Katherine chuckled. ‘Now let’s not stand in the hall. I have a lovely big fire lighting in the lounge. It’s nice and cosy there. Let me take your coat, Ellen.’
Ellen handed her coat to the older woman, who hung it in a neat cloakroom off the hall. The hallway was extremely elegant, Ellen thought in admiration as she looked around her.
Striped cream and green embossed paper lined the top half of the walls, complemented by a deep green silky paper below the dado rail. A richly hued carpet of greens and creams covered the stairs and hallway. The pile was so deep, Ellen could feel it soft beneath her shoes. A gleaming gold ornate mirror hung on one wall. Beneath it, an antique table, on which reposed a Belleek china rose bowl, filled with winter roses. On a matching table, between two of the cream doors that lined the hallway, an urn of holly sprays and red and white carnations made a beautiful festive display. A cream and green lamp stood on a small stand beside the front door.
‘You have lovely taste, Mrs Wallace,’ Ellen complimented her hostess.
‘When the boys left home and my husband died I was tempted to sell, I must admit,’ Katherine confessed as she led the way into the lounge, ‘but I’ve lived here all my married life. And I do rather love my gardens. So I completely redecorated. It won’t have to be done again in my lifetime. Now, dear, can I get you a drink before we have tea? I’m sure Stephanie would like lemonade.’
‘Yes, please,’ Stephanie piped up.
‘A sherry, gin and tonic, vodka and tonic, Dubonnet, white wine?’
‘A Dubonnet would be lovely.’ Ellen sank down into a deep sofa.
‘Maybe Stephanie might come and help me,’ Katherine suggested.
‘Of course I will, Gran,’ Stephanie agreed eagerly. She’d been warned to be on her best behaviour.
Ellen felt more relaxed as she watched the duo depart hand in hand. She’d been a little apprehensive about coming to Mrs Wallace’s for tea. Just say they had nothing to talk about. Ellen felt she wasn’t great at polite conversation. That was more Emma’s forte. But the older woman seemed genuinely pleased to see them and Stephanie was chuffed to have another grandmother.
It was a beautiful room. Ellen gazed around with interest. Katherine had exquisite taste. Wide expensive pale blue and gold rugs covered the highly polished floor. Pale blue drapes, tied back with gold tasselled cords, hung from the windows. The frilled pelmets were trimmed with gold edging.
Great bowls of massed fresh flowers stood on the ornate tables that dotted the large room. Alongside the flowers, framed photos, china figurines – Ellen thought they were Lladro, but she wasn’t sure – and Waterford crystal stood elegantly, in nonchalant display. So different from her mother’s regimented ‘best china’ cabinet in the parlour.
The sofas, arranged in front of the fireplace, were covered in blue and gold chintz. A small coffee table held magazines and a selection of Sunday papers. Blue and gold lamps were everywhere. But they weren’t needed yet even though an early dusk was beginning to mute the vivid sunset.
A perfectly shaped fir Nobilis, strung with white lights and blue and gold decorations, stood in front of the long window, casting sparkling prisms of light into the room. Boughs of holly and long slender red candles were the only other Christmas decoration. Elegant and understated, just like Katherine.
Ellen smiled wryly, thinking of her own jolly, gaudy adornments. Even though it was a big wide room, there was a comfortable snug feel to it. A very nice room to relax in, she thought, as she flicked idly through a magazine.
‘Here we are.’ Katherine handed her a long slim glass of ruby liquid that was cool to the touch. Stephanie solemnly offered a bowl of peanuts.
‘Mammy, I’m having sausages and chips for tea. But you and Gran are having something different.’
‘Mrs Wallace, I hope you aren’t going to any trouble,’ Ellen remonstrated.
‘None at all, my dear. I got two T-bone steaks to go with the chips. This is a rare treat for me, you know. I’d never cook myself chips normally,’ Katherine said briskly.
‘Now, Stephanie, if you go over to the Christmas tree you’ll find two parcels underneath it. Would you be so kind as to bring them over to me, please.’ Katherine’s eyes twinkled.
Stephanie needed no second urging. She sped across the room on winged feet, her pigtails flying. Moments later she was back, her arms full.
‘The big box is yours and the small soft one is for your mummy.’ Katherine settled back and prepared to enjoy the unwrapping.
‘Mrs Wallace, you shouldn’t have,’ Ellen murmured in embarrassment as Stephanie dumped the parcel into her lap.
‘It’s just something small and I hope it suits.’ Katherine sipped her sherry.
Ellen unfolded the soft pink angora scarf from beneath the layers of tissue paper it was wrapped in.
‘Oh, it’s lovely,’ she exclaimed in delight, rubbing it against her cheek. ‘Thanks very much.’
‘My pleasure, Ellen.’ Katherine was gracious.
‘Mammy, look!’ Stephanie chirped excitedly as she gazed in awe at the magnificent tea set unveiled from its crisp wrapping.
‘Oh, Stephanie, what do you say to your gran? It’s gorgeous.’ Ellen got down on her knees beside her daughter and fingered one of the delicate cups. ‘It’s really beautiful.’ She smiled up at Katherine.
‘I thought it was rather special. A special present for a special girl,’ Katherine said quietly.
Stephanie jumped to her feet and threw her arms around her surprised grandmother.
‘Thanks very, very much, Gran,’ she exclaimed, her face alight with pleasure. ‘It’s brill!’
Katherine, unused to such displays of childish affection, returned the hug warmly, her face wreathed in smiles.
‘So some day you can have a tea party and I’ll come and visit you, if Mummy won’t mind?’ She glanced at Ellen.
‘I’d be delighted, Mrs Wallace. I really would,’ Ellen said, and meant it.
‘Mind that, Adam.’ Chris snatched Alexandra’s sandalwood pen box from his curious son’s grasp. This was a nightmare, an absolute nightmare. Christina had already broken one of Alexandra’s prized handcrafted wine goblets. There was going to be hell to pay because of it.
True to her word, Suzy had arrived yesterday at midday with the twins. She’d insisted he come down to the foyer. She had no intention of setting foot inside the building, she told him snootily over the intercom. She kissed the twins, handed him a case of clothes and toys, and announced that he could drop them home the following weekend. ‘And they’re to go to Toby Collins’s birthday party tomorrow after
noon. His card and present are in the case.’
‘But I have to go to work,’ he protested. ‘I can’t close the office for a full week.’
‘You’ve done it before when you lived with me. Just left your secretary to open up. Anyway Alexandra can look after them – I hear she’s unemployed,’ Suzy retorted tartly.
‘She’s in London,’ Chris growled.
‘Well, they’re all yours then. You’ve got them all to yourself. Just what you wanted. Bye, darlings.’ She blew the twins a kiss and departed without a backward glance.
He’d forgotten exactly how much attention small children needed. He’d forgotten their curiosity and their short attention span. He’d forgotten that bottoms needed wiping, and sometimes accidents happened. He’d forgotten squabbles and temper tantrums. And as for cooking for them and feeding them, or rather watching them feed themselves, that was a complete and utter trial to him. And now they were wrecking Alexandra’s prized possessions.
‘Don’t touch anything again, Adam.’ Chris tried to keep his irritation in check.
‘I want to play with it,’ Adam protested.
‘Well, you can’t,’ Chris barked.
Adam’s mouth opened wider than Galway Bay and he started to howl. ‘I want Mummy,’ he bawled.
‘Adam, stop crying for heaven’s sake. Get your Dinkies and we’ll play cars.’
‘Don’t want to play with you,’ Adam pouted. ‘You’re too cross.’
‘I’m sorry. C’mere. Give Daddy a big hug.’ Chris scooped his son up and started to tickle him. Adam squealed with pleasure. Chris winced. He’d made inroads into Alexandra’s brandy gift to him the previous night and he was desperately hungover.
‘Right, let’s get shipshape, we’re going to visit Gran today,’ he declared.
‘But you said we could sail our boats and feed the ducks,’ Christina insisted.
‘Yes, we’ll do that first.’ Chris picked up a mug of milk that was in danger of being knocked over.
‘What’s for dinner, Daddy? I’m hungry,’ Adam whined. ‘Why have you got no turkey?’
‘I’ve got nice steak and potatoes though,’ Chris said heartily. He’d bought steak because he could fling it on the pan and it was handy. Mashed potatoes and gravy and tinned peas would do fine with it.
‘We’ll go to the park first and then I’ll get dinner.’ The twins scurried to get their coats.
Herbert Park was a godsend, he thought gratefully as twenty minutes later his children happily fed the ducks and sailed their little sailboats along the edge of the pond. This was a singular treat for them and he’d been able to quell any misbehaviour by threatening not to allow them to feed the ducks.
At least the weather was fine, if a bit chilly. He blew on his hands and rubbed them together watching his breath freeze in the icy air.
All in all, Christmas hadn’t been the disaster he’d dreaded. Alison had stayed on Christmas Eve. She’d phoned her parents and fibbed that she was going to a party and was staying overnight with friends. He’d dropped her home in time for lunch on Christmas morning and then made his way to his mother’s. She’d cooked a superb lunch for them both. He couldn’t fault her there. He’d spent the rest of the day lounging around in her house and then on Saint Stephen’s night he’d enjoyed another night of sex with Alison who seemed to be totally enamoured of him. He’d been a tad worried that she might realise that the flatmate was a woman but he’d made sure to lock Alexandra’s bedroom door and pocket the key. She had an en suite and he had his own bathroom so there were no tell-tale signs there. Alison hadn’t seemed to notice anything untoward. He knew she thought he was a good, eligible catch. He’d let her down gently when the time came. That might come sooner than she’d expect if all went to plan with Ellen.
Today was the day everything could change. He was sure it was today that his mother had invited her to tea. Anyway, whether it was today or not, he was going to drive past his mother’s house every day until he saw Ellen’s car parked in the drive.
He rubbed his hand over his stubbly jaw. He’d shower, shave and change when he got home. He looked a sight.
A thought struck him. On second thoughts, maybe he wouldn’t tidy himself up. If he looked a wreck Ellen might have more sympathy for him. He’d better let them have their tea though. Katherine would not be at all pleased if he gatecrashed their meal.
He was dying to see Ellen. He did miss her. She was a beautiful, loving woman and she belonged with him. Chris felt quite cheerful as he called his children and set off for the apartment to cook dinner.
‘That was delicious, Mrs Wallace. It’s a treat to have a meal cooked for me.’ Ellen wiped her mouth with the beautiful cream linen napkin that matched the elegant tablecloth.
‘I’m glad you enjoyed it. Did you enjoy it, Stephanie?’
‘Oh, I’m stuffed,’ Stephanie responded earnestly.
‘Let’s have our coffee in the lounge,’ Katherine suggested.
‘Well, let me clear away the dishes,’ Ellen offered.
‘Not at all, Ellen. Leave them. It won’t take me long.’
‘Are you sure?’
‘Absolutely sure,’ Katherine said firmly.
They were ensconced by the fire, sipping their coffee, chatting about various menus Ellen could try out in The Deli when they heard the front door open. Childish voices called out. A look of dismay crossed Katherine’s face. Before she could say anything the door burst open and two small children rushed into the room.
‘Hi Gran, we were feeding the ducks today,’ the little boy said.
‘Ellen, I’m sorry about this,’ Katherine said agitatedly as Chris walked into the room.
Ellen’s heart did a flip-flop.
‘Oh! Oh! Hello, Ellen,’ he said, before turning to his mother. ‘I’m terribly sorry, Mother, I didn’t realise you were having guests.’
‘Well, I have as you can see, Christopher,’ Katherine said tightly.
‘Gran, can we have lemonade?’ the little girl asked as she watched Stephanie sipping hers through a straw.
‘Gran’s got visitors, we can’t stay.’ Chris ran a hand wearily over his jaw.
Ellen felt as though she were holding her breath. It all seemed a little unreal. He looked very tired, she thought, shocked by his ungroomed appearance.
‘It’s OK, Chris, it’s time we were going.’ Ellen placed her coffee cup on the table and stood up. She had to get out of here.
‘Christopher can bring the children tomorrow.’ Katherine directed an icy stare at her son. ‘Please finish your coffee, Ellen.’
‘Are you my daddy Christopher?’ Stephanie got up and walked over to him. She stood looking at him curiously. Chris was clearly abashed. He glanced at Ellen. He needed her permission. Their eyes met. She nodded imperceptibly.
‘Yes, I am, Stephanie.’ He smiled into her serious blue eyes.
‘Are you trying to grow a beard like Doug?’
Chris was taken aback by her childish directness. ‘Er . . . no . . . I just didn’t shave.’
‘Oh!’ Stephanie eyed him sternly. ‘My grandad shaves every morning. Sometimes he lets me put the frothy stuff on his face.’
‘Does he?’
‘Yes, he does. He’s tidy.’ The rebuke was pointed.
Good for you, Stephanie, Ellen approved.
‘Why are you her daddy too? Are you everybody’s daddy?’ Christina demanded truculently. She didn’t like her daddy being another girl’s daddy. ‘Do you live with her now?’
‘No, he doesn’t,’ Stephanie said dismissively.
Katherine was horrified.
‘Really, Christopher—’
‘Gran, please can we have some lemonade? I’m parched,’ Adam whined.
‘I’ll help you get it,’ Stephanie offered.
‘Is that your tea set?’ Christina asked curiously.
‘Yes. Would you like to drink your lemonade out of one of the cups? I’ll let you if you like,’ Stephanie volunteered magnanimously.<
br />
‘Ooohh yes. Can I? What’s your name?’
‘Stephanie. What’s yours?’
‘Christina an’ his name is Adam. We’re twins,’ she declared importantly.
‘Did the two of them fit in the mammy’s tummy?’ Stephanie was agog as she turned to Ellen.
Oh Lord! Ellen nodded. ‘Yes, now why don’t you set out two cups for Christina and Adam,’ she encouraged hastily. She felt sick. Stephanie was here in her grandmother’s house playing with her half brother and sister while her father looked on. She’d never envisaged a scene like this in her wildest dreams. She was in turmoil. Seeing Chris again was a shock. It always was when she hadn’t seen him for a while.
‘I’ll tell you what. I’ll fill a jug with lemonade and we can pour it into the cups,’ Katherine said briskly. ‘And then Christopher must take the twins home because it’s getting near their bedtime.’
‘Oh, Daddy lets us stay up late,’ Christina said airily as she followed her grandmother and Stephanie out to the kitchen. Adam hurried after them, afraid he’d miss something.
‘I am sorry, Ellen,’ Chris said contritely. ‘Mother never said.’
Ellen said nothing. She sat down slowly on the sofa.
‘So, how have you been? You look great.’ Chris eased himself down beside her.
‘I’m fine.’ She stared straight ahead, unwilling to meet his gaze.
‘How’s the new business going?’
‘Fine.’
‘Ellen, please don’t be short with me. I can’t bear it.’
‘I wish you hadn’t come.’
‘Why? Does that mean you still care about me?’ he asked hopefully.
‘No!’ She was emphatic.
‘What does it matter then?’ he muttered.
‘It’s not fair on your mother!’
Chris sighed. ‘True. I didn’t know you were going to be here. I only have the kids for a week and I wanted to bring them to see her. Again I can only apologise.’
‘What do you mean you only have the children for a week?’ Ellen was confused.
‘Suzy and I’ve split up. Our marriage is over. I moved out of home. I live in a flat now,’ Chris said wearily.
‘You’ve split up from Suzy? Why?’ Ellen was shocked.
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