In Focus (2009)

by Jacobs, Anna

  Pete was still holding her hand, as the cameras recorded.

  Edward introduced Beth, worried that the traces of weeping still showed clearly.

  Her voice didn’t wobble, but she sounded brusque. ‘I didn’t want to come today. I don’t like being on show. But I wanted to support my brother and stop this stupid witch hunt. We’re all human beings, with faults and virtues. No one here, least of all Pete, is a villain. We three are finding our way towards being a family again, so please . . . leave us in peace to do that. It’s not easy after thirty-eight years apart.’ She looked sideways and smiled at the sight of Pete comforting her mother. ‘I think we’re doing pretty well, though.’

  She sat down with an audible sigh of relief.

  Edward stood up. ‘One member of the family couldn’t be here today, my aunt, Pete’s adoptive mother. She’s had a stroke and she’s still in hospital, but she did allow me to film her saying a few words on her son’s behalf.’ He gestured and the room went dark, then Sue appeared on a screen, looking frail, her mouth turned down a little at one side, but her words clear enough.

  ‘I wanted to say how horrified I was to find my adopted son had been kidnapped. I’d never, ever have taken another woman’s child unless it was offered willingly, which I thought Pete was. Linda, I apologize unreservedly for causing you such pain. You bore a wonderful son and I hope we can share him from now on. If you’d like to come and see me, I’ll start by showing you all his childhood photos and probably boring you to tears, then we’ll see if we can go on from there together. Thank you.’

  Edward gestured again and the lights came on, revealing Linda dabbing at her eyes. He looked at the audience. ‘There aren’t many people who get such a public display of love and support. I’m quite certain Pete won’t let any of them down. Thank you. We’re not taking any questions. I know Pete is as upset about this media beat-up as Linda and Beth are, so I hope you’ll excuse us now.’

  Pete stood up and led the way out, offering his arm to his mother once they were clear of the table.

  Somehow Edward managed to get next to Beth and put his arm round her shoulders, ignoring the flashing camera lights. ‘You all right?’

  ‘Better than I’d expected.’

  ‘Thanks for coming.’

  ‘I’m glad I did.’ She looked ahead to see her mother introducing Pete to Nat. ‘My brother’s certainly a charmer.’

  ‘He is. But I’m sure he meant what he said today. He abandoned the prepared statement, after all, and tried to tell the truth. That’s not something you do lightly when your whole career is at stake.’

  ‘If he hurts her again, I’ll kill him with my bare hands.’

  ‘And if he hurts you, I’ll do the same.’

  She stopped walking to lay her head on his shoulder with a sigh. ‘I don’t think I’ve ever been so tired in all my life.’

  ‘I was going to suggest we go back to my place if we all still needed to talk.’

  Linda turned, having overheard this. ‘No. I think we’ve talked enough today. Pete is going to take me to meet his mother tomorrow. Until then, I just want to go home and be quiet with Nat.’

  Pete looked at Beth searchingly. ‘You all right?’

  She smiled. ‘I’m the same as my mother. I need to sleep for a million years. It’d be nice if you came round tomorrow to meet your niece and your great-nephew, though, Pete.’

  He looked at her in horror. ‘I’m a great-uncle? For goodness’ sake, don’t tell anyone. I’m too young, surely!’

  Suddenly they were all laughing.

  As they walked out to the car, Beth turned to Edward. ‘Can I come home with you?’

  He beamed at her. ‘I didn’t dare ask.’

  ‘I doubt I’ll be much use for anything but sleeping.’

  ‘As long as you sleep next to me, I’ll not complain. Does that mean that I’m making progress with my courting?’

  ‘Could be.’ She smiled back at him. ‘I need to go home first to get some clothes. I came here by taxi.’

  ‘I have my car. I’ll drive you back.’

  At the flat they found Ghita and Jo sitting talking over the remains of an evening meal.

  ‘You know Edward,’ Beth said.

  Jo raised one hand. ‘Hi!’

  Mikey, looking scrubbed and angelic in his pyjamas, turned to look at the newcomers. ‘Kaleel’s got a granddad and a uncle.’

  ‘And a grandma,’ Kaleel said. ‘I’m going to see her tomorrow.’ He nodded several times to emphasize this.

  ‘It went well, then?’ Beth asked.

  Ghita smiled wearily. ‘Better than we could have expected, thanks mainly to my brother Nuriel.’

  ‘How did your press conference go, Mum?’

  ‘The same as your meeting. Better than expected. It’ll be on the TV news. But I hope it’s the last one I ever have to feature in. I felt sick to my stomach with nerves.’

  Edward put an arm round her shoulders. ‘She did well, though. That’s the main thing.’

  ‘There’s some food left if you’re hungry.’

  Beth flushed. ‘We’ll eat later. I’m just going to pack a bag. I’m staying with Edward tonight.’

  Jo mimed applauding as her mother left the room and winked at Edward.

  ‘Let’s get it straight,’ he said. ‘I intend to marry your mother. She’s not making it easy, though.’

  ‘She’s very independent. But my money’s on you.’

  Beth came back, still with a heightened colour, carrying a small backpack. ‘I’m ready. See you tomorrow, girls.’

  When they got to Edward’s flat, Beth sat down with a sigh.

  ‘I think the occasion calls for champagne, don’t you?’

  ‘Sounds lovely.’

  He poured her a glass then raised his own, ‘Here’s to us. We got a bit lost in all the family stuff, but I think we’re on track with our courtship now.’

  She clinked her glass against his and took a sip. ‘You’ve worn me down.’

  He looked at her in mock dismay. ‘Worn you down? You really know how to make a man feel loved, don’t you?’

  He set his glass down, removed hers from her hand and pulled her into his arms. ‘I love you, Beth. You know that. And I think you love me. Can’t you say it?’

  Slowly her face softened and she raised one hand to caress his cheek. ‘I love you too. It was the thought of losing you that made me deal with my feelings today. I couldn’t bear the thought of that. And seeing Ghita’s family put their differences aside showed it could be done.’

  She moved to kiss him, and as the kiss deepened, he said, ‘What a waste of champagne! It’ll go flat.’

  ‘Mmm.’

  Leaving the glasses behind, they walked into the bedroom, shedding clothes one by one, not hurrying now, relaxing together as they kissed and caressed one another.

  ‘Your body is beautiful.’

  ‘I’m too thin.’

  ‘Whatever your body’s like it’s beautiful to me, because you’re Beth. My Beth. And I love you.’

  ‘I love you too.’

  Over an hour later, he said apologetically, ‘I’m sorry to disturb you, darling, but I’m ravenously hungry.’

  ‘Do you know, I am too.’

  ‘Bacon, eggs and slightly flat champagne do you?’

  ‘Sounds perfect to me.’ She slipped on her practical fleece dressing gown and grimaced. ‘This ought to be satin and lace.’

  ‘Stop worrying. You could be wearing sackcloth and I’d still think you looked lovely.’

  As they sat eating bacon and egg sandwiches, he said suddenly, ‘How about we throw a party?’

  ‘A party?’

  ‘Yes. For the family. A getting together party. Say in a couple of weeks. Aunt Sue should be all right to attend by then, even if she can’t stay late. I think we ought to celebrate becoming a family.’

  ‘Ghita too?’

  ‘Ghita and her family too.’

  ‘That’d be wonderful.’

&n
bsp; Epilogue

  Nearly two weeks later, the caterers moved into Edward’s flat early in the morning and took over the kitchen for a luncheon party.

  ‘It’ll be the oddest mixture of people,’ Beth worried as she got dressed for the celebration in clothes chosen by Renée.

  Edward pulled her towards him. ‘Stop worrying. You’re not responsible for them all, only for yourself.’

  She looked at him. ‘I know that in my mind, but I don’t feel it yet. I’ve had so many years worrying about Mum and Jo.’

  One by one, people arrived. Ghita was very shy and had brought her brother to give her support. Jo was more confident, beaming at the sight of her mother and Edward standing with hands linked together.

  ‘Look at Mum!’ she hissed, nudging her friend.

  ‘That’s lovely.’

  ‘Perhaps she’s going to move in here permanently and let us have the flat.’

  ‘You shouldn’t be thinking things like that. Anyway, the boys would be better if they had a garden to play in. Oh, hello, Mrs Harding. That’s a pretty dress.’

  ‘New for today.’ Linda smoothed it with one hand, admiring the sheen on the silk. ‘Did I hear you two talking about finding somewhere to live?’

  They nodded.

  ‘Do you know anywhere?’ Jo asked.

  ‘Yes, I do. My house is standing empty and it has a garden. It seems to me you’d make perfect tenants.’

  ‘Gran, do you mean that?’

  ‘Of course she does!’ Nat said, putting his arms round her. ‘I’m not letting her leave me.’

  The doorbell rang again and since Edward didn’t appear to have heard it, Linda went to open it.

  She stopped short at the sight of Sue Newbury in a wheelchair pushed by Pete. She’d not managed to go and see Sue yet, because the latter had been moved into a rehabilitation hospital and had been busy starting to retrain parts of her body.

  ‘They’ve given Mum three hours’ leave,’ Pete said. ‘Real bullies they are at that place.’

  ‘I need to use the bathroom,’ Sue said. ‘Would you help me, Linda?’

  ‘Yes, I’d be happy to.’

  In the guest suite Sue looked at her so nervously that Linda said frankly, ‘We’ve all decided to move on. Don’t look at me as if I’m going to bite you.’

  ‘I’d not blame you if you did.’

  ‘It wasn’t your fault, and I’d be a fool to let an old pain stop me from enjoying my son’s company.’ She stopped. ‘Oh dear, that’s going to be awkward, what to call him.’

  ‘Son. He’s son to both of us. Now, I’ll just use the bathroom and then we’ll rejoin the others. I’m looking forward to meeting your daughter and grandson. I’ve longed for grandchildren, but Pete said he didn’t want any.’

  ‘Maybe Mikey and Kaleel will change his mind about that.’

  ‘Maybe. He’s not got over the idea that he’s a great-uncle yet!’

  They both chuckled.

  In the living room they found Pete and Edward on the floor helping Mikey and Kaleel put together a miniature plastic railway Beth had bought for them. She was sitting next to Ghita, laughing at their difficulties.

  ‘It said for three year olds, so maybe only they can understand it. It seems to be too hard for grown men.’

  ‘They make things differently these days from when we were children,’ Pete protested.

  Kaleel took the piece of plastic out of his hand and locked it neatly into the rest.

  ‘Outdone!’ he moaned.

  Jo and Nuriel were standing near the big picture windows, chatting as they enjoyed the view.

  ‘Thank you for looking after my sister,’ he said.

  ‘She looked after me most of the time. She’s a lot more capable than you realize. Don’t let your father bully her into returning home.’

  ‘He’ll be too busy scolding me for moving out. I can’t live his way. I’m looking for a flat.’

  ‘You’ll have to take lessons in housework.’

  ‘I can do that. And Ghita’s promised to give me some cooking lessons.’

  ‘She’s a brilliant cook and always so organized. Mum says she can find Ghita a job once Kaleel’s in school.’

  ‘Cleaning?’ He grimaced.

  ‘No. In the office. Or as a housekeeper. Though she’d have to do some office cleaning as part of her training if she worked in the office, so that she understands how things work in commercial cleaning. It’s a boom business, but Mum is wanting to spend less time at work now she’s with Edward.’

  They turned round as Nat called out for their attention.

  ‘Linda and I have an announcement to make.’

  Everyone waited expectantly.

  ‘We’re getting married next month and you’re all invited.’

  As everyone crowded round to congratulate them, Edward went into the kitchen and soon afterwards a waiter brought in a tray of full champagne glasses, a few of which contained a colourless liquid.

  ‘It seems appropriate to toast the engaged couple in the old-fashioned way. Some of the glasses contain lemonade for those who don’t drink alcohol.’

  When everyone had been served, including the little boys, he raised his glass. ‘May I wish you every happiness, Linda and Nat.’

  His words were echoed as the others raised their glasses, the little boys being helped to do the same.

  Edward waited till the murmurs had died and said, ‘There’s one more thing. Beth is moving in with me permanently, and if I have my way, we’ll be following Nat and Linda’s example soon.’

  Beth blushed furiously. ‘Edward!’

  He feigned innocence. ‘What did I say? You’d not move in with me if you didn’t love me.’

  She went even pinker, but she was smiling. ‘I do.’

  ‘That’s a big thing for Mum,’ Jo whispered to her grandmother. ‘She’s not one for being demonstrative, is she?’

  ‘If anyone can teach her, it’s Edward.’ Linda smiled and raised her glass to Sue, who was across the room. ‘I can’t believe how well it’s turned out.’

  ‘You all right now, Gran?’ Jo asked.

  ‘Yes. I’ve come to terms with the past and Nat’s dragging me pell-mell into the future.’

  ‘That’s good, then. We’ll look after your house carefully if you’ll trust us with it.’

  ‘I know, dear.’

  When they’d all gone, Beth lay on the sofa with her head on Edward’s lap. ‘It went well, didn’t it?’

  ‘Yes. Your mother was lovely with Aunt Sue.’

  ‘My mother’s lovely with everyone.’

  ‘Forgiven me now for embarrassing you today?’

  ‘You took me by surprise.’

  ‘I meant it. I do intend to marry you and I don’t want to wait too long.’

  ‘I can’t give you children, Edward. I’ve had a hysterectomy.’

  ‘I can’t have any. It’s why my marriage – my first marriage – broke up. But I’d love to have grandchildren if you don’t mind sharing yours.’

  ‘No, I don’t mind at all. Edward—’ She paused but she had to ask it. ‘Are you sure?’

  ‘Very sure. I fell in love with you the second time I met you and that’s not going to change.’

  A happy sigh was his only answer. He thought he’d never seen her smile in such a relaxed, carefree way.