‘El?’
‘I don’t want to talk to you.’
Grace turned the knob and entered the room. Ellie was lying on her bed, staring up at the ceiling.
‘Can I come in?’
Ellie shrugged, which Grace took to be a yes. She sat on the edge of the bed and looked at her daughter.
‘Honey, I’m sorry. I should have told you about your grandmother, I know–’
‘Yes you should.’ Ellie’s eyes fixed accusingly on her mother. ‘You know how much it would mean to me having a proper family like everyone else. Did you think I’d never find out?’
‘Of course not. I was going to tell you, I just needed to get used to the idea myself.’
‘I don’t believe you,’ Ellie said. ‘Just because you don’t want anything to do with Daddy’s family doesn’t mean that I can’t.’
‘I know that. And whether you believe me or not … I was going to tell you.’
‘Well, I’ve seen her now and she’s great – and I want to carry on seeing her.’
Grace kept her voice calm. ‘Okay … if that’s what you want, then I won’t stop you. As long as you don’t expect me to come along with you.’
‘But why not? I’ve only got one grandparent. Why does it have to be so difficult seeing her? You grew up knowing your grandparents.’
Grace blinked. ‘El, there are things that have gone on in our family that you know nothing about–’
‘How can I when you don’t tell me? Why won’t you?’
‘Because it’s adult stuff and it’s not that simple. But if you want to go and see Evelyn again then I won’t stop you – I’ll even ask Nick if you can go with them next time they go.’
‘Don’t bother. I can make my own arrangements. I’m not a child, even if you do keep treating me like one.’
She turned away, ending their conversation, and Grace rose quietly from the bed. She’d get no more mileage out of this until they’d both calmed down a bit.
But later, over supper Ellie surprised her by saying with a sigh. ‘I’m sorry about earlier on, Mummy. I don’t like it when we argue. But I do want to carry on seeing Grandma.’
‘I know you do, and I said I won’t stop you.’
Ellie shook her head in frustration. ‘I just feel so angry about everything. I thought it was all going to be easy now that we were here – that we’d be normal like everyone else. And then I find out something like this.’
‘Darling, I’ve said I’m sorry. I don’t know what else I can say to make things better.’ She took a deep breath knowing that it wasn’t wise to alienate Ellie over her grandmother. ‘How was it when you saw her?’
For a moment it looked like she wasn’t going to answer, then she shrugged. ‘Cool. She’s really nice and not at all an old sort of grandma. And when we said goodbye … she had tears in her eyes, and gave me a big hug as if she’d known me all her life. It was nice.’
Grace knew what that sign of acceptance would have meant to Ellie and that night she lay awake, pondering those words and trying not to feel threatened by them. She wasn’t used to the thought of someone else being pivotal in her daughter’s life. And what if Evelyn wasn’t as nice as she was making herself out to be?
‘Grandma’s invited me over for lunch on Sunday with Will and Nick,’ Ellie had said as Grace kissed her goodnight. ‘She said you’d be welcome too if you wanted to come?’
Her tone was wistful, and Grace was glad of a good excuse not to reopen the subject.
‘We can’t … Lynette and Emily will still be here.’
‘Oh, no …’ Ellie’s face fell.
‘Sorry, you’d better phone her tomorrow and let her know.’
But first thing the next morning, Ellie bounded into the room a beaming smile on her face. ‘Grandma said Emily can come for lunch too tomorrow if she wants. Please say it’s all right. You and Lynette always like having some time to yourselves and I’d really like Em to meet her and Will.’
It was so patently obvious where she wanted to be that Grace struggled to keep the resentment from her voice. ‘If that’s what you want, I suppose Lynette will understand.’
Ellie gave her a hug. ‘Thanks, Mum. You’re the best.’
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
‘I could sit here forever,’ Lynette said with a contented sigh, patting her stomach and taking another sip of her wine. ‘No thanks – no more. I’m driving remember. But I will have another potato. It’s quiet without the girls, isn’t it? I wonder how they’re getting on?’
‘Oh, they’ll be having a whale of a time, I’m sure,’ Grace said. ‘Evelyn can’t do anything wrong in Ellie’s eyes.’
‘Does that bother you?’
Grace shrugged.
‘I guess it’s been just you and her for so long, it must be hard letting go. But it could be a good thing, Grace. They can be useful things, grandmas – as you and I both know.’
‘It doesn’t alter the fact that Evelyn wanted me to abort Ellie – nor the way they went about it. I can’t forgive her for that.’
‘We all make mistakes,’ Lynette said gently. ‘And perhaps Evelyn’s paid for hers. Rory may not have been the ideal son but he was her only child. Can you imagine what she must be going through?’
Grace shook her head. She didn’t want to start feeling sorry for Rory’s mother. If she’d made a better job of bringing him up …
She stopped her thoughts right there. She of all people knew that child rearing wasn’t a piece of cake – especially with someone as actively unpleasant as Rory’s father muscling in on the act. And Rory wouldn’t have been an easy child to bring up in any circumstances.
She gave her sister a rueful smile. ‘You’re probably right. I just need a bit of time I guess.’
Lynette smiled. ‘Well, you’ve got plenty of that now. You’ll get there, kiddo.’ She pierced a potato with her fork. ‘Anyway, enough of all that. Let’s talk about more interesting things – like your love life for example.’
‘That’s going to be a short conversation.’
‘Oh, come on. Don't you have even a little snippet to report?’
‘I went out for a meal the other night with Keith – Marianne’s brother, but that doesn’t count. He’s separated and not taking it very well. He needed someone to talk to.’
‘Rebound never works.’
‘Lucky that I don’t fancy him then!’
‘What about our sexy neighbour, Nick?’
Grace rolled her eyes. ‘Give it a break. I know you’d like me to meet someone, but really, I’m happy as I am.’
‘But do you fancy him?’
‘I’m realistic enough to know he’s not my type and I’m not his. Nothing’s going to happen there, believe me.’
She closed her mind to recent events; surprised to find that now the time had come she was reluctant to talk about them, even with her sister.
‘Well it certainly isn’t if you take that attitude. What’s the matter with you? You used to be great at the flirting game.’
‘That was a very long time ago. And anyway, there is the small matter of his next-door neighbour. I’m not sure what their relationship is.’
‘Whatever it is, he’s fair game until she’s got that ring on her finger, that’s what I say.’
‘You’re terrible.’ Grace looked at her sister fondly. ‘Thanks for coming. You don’t know how much you cheer me up. I feel such a drudge sometimes, always offloading onto you.’
‘It’s what big sisters are for and you couldn’t be a drudge if you tried. Come on, I’ll help you get this lot cleared up before the girls get back. It’s been lovely to see you, we should do this more often.’
After they’d gone, Grace came across a package Lynette had found on the doorstep and absentmindedly started to open it, her thoughts still full of her sister’s visit and Ellie’s lunch with Evelyn. She’d clearly had a great afternoon showing her grandmother off to her cousin, and both girls had been full of it, as they’d filled Grace an
d Lynette in on the afternoon’s events. For the first time she was aware of an easing of her jealousy and she was relieved by it. How could she be resentful of someone who was so clearly adding an extra dimension to her daughter’s happiness?
She pulled the last piece of wrapping away from the parcel and froze as she stared at the contents in her hand. There, laughing out at her from a silver frame, standing at the entrance to a marquee was Rory, his arm draped possessively around her shoulder.
She remembered the occasion well – his twenty-first birthday party – the day she’d met him.
She rifled agitatedly through the wrapping looking for a note, something – anything – that might give her a clue as to who’d sent it.
Nothing.
She remembered the cat and the welcome home card.
Don’t.
She thrust the wrapping paper in the bin. Think rationally.
Whoever had sent it had thought she’d like it and had forgotten to put a note in – that was all. Probably someone from the barbecue. There was nothing sinister about it. Nothing at all.
She stared at the photo long and hard. Her first instinct was to throw it in the bin with the wrapping paper. That was the place for trash. But …
Opening the drawer in the little hall table, she shoved the frame face down inside and slammed it shut again.
She wouldn’t admit, even to herself, that it was in case she might need it as evidence.
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
The pub was crowded for a Wednesday evening. Grace looked up at Keith as he set her glass of wine down on the table.
‘Thanks for coming,’ he said, taking the chair opposite her.
‘You sounded pretty down on the phone?’
‘I feel like crap, to tell you the truth. I miss the kids so much and I didn’t tell you before – I couldn’t get my head round it – but Amanda’s got a new boyfriend.’
‘Oh no, I’m sorry. Is it serious?’
‘She won’t say – apparently it’s none of my business any longer.’ His lip drew into a thin line. ‘God, I feel so powerless. I’m sorry to dump it on you but I don’t have anyone else I can talk to like this. Marianne just tells me I’ve brought it on myself – as if I didn’t already know that.’
‘Give yourself time – it’ll get easier.’
‘I don’t want it to. I just want my wife and family back.’
He looked miserable and hoping to divert him, Grace asked, ‘How are things at work now?’
‘I’m getting to grips with the changes – and at least since Mark’s gone it’s given me the chance to earn more commission.’
‘Well, maybe that’s what you need. To bury yourself in your work for a while – take your mind off what’s going on with Amanda. There’s nothing worse than sitting around thinking about stuff all day. By the way, talking about commissions, I keep meaning to ask you. Has anyone bought the house opposite ours yet? I thought I saw someone in there the other day.’
‘Under offer to a mystery buyer,’ Keith whispered theatrically ‘Apparently – according to my boss – he doesn’t want anyone knowing his identity until the sale’s completed. James is the only one who knows and he’s handling it himself.’
‘That’s a bit weird isn’t it?’
Keith shrugged. ‘It happens sometimes – it’s usually someone in the public eye who doesn’t want people knowing until things are finalised. We’ll have to wait and see. Thanks for the supper invite on Friday by the way. That was a nice message to come home to for a change, and I’d love to.’
‘Good. Just don’t expect anything too fancy,’ Grace said with a grin. ‘I’m a competent cook but nothing more.’
‘Anything that’s an improvement on sausage and mash will do me very well. I don’t mind if I never eat another sausage in my life.’
He finished his beer and stood up. ‘Another one? What time are you picking Ellie up?’
‘I told Nick about nine, so we’ve probably got time for a quick one. This round’s on me though …’
‘I’ve had a great idea for your birthday,’ Ellie said half-an-hour later, as they walked home.
‘Oh? And what’s that?’
‘I thought I’d cook you a meal – a proper one.’
Grace threw her a look. ‘You hate cooking.’
‘I don’t hate it; I’m just not very good at it. But Will said he’d help and he’s a good cook.’
‘Well … if you really want to, that’s a lovely idea. Thanks.’
It occurred to Grace that Ellie and Will were seeing rather a lot of each other at the moment. She hoped they weren’t developing more than a liking for each other because she certainly wasn’t ready to start dealing with boyfriend issues. Thank God the schools were starting back next week. Hopefully she’d soon be coming back with a line of girlfriends in tow – and she could do something about getting a job. Which reminded her – she’d give Addenbrooke’s a call tomorrow. She could apply to do some temporary contracts to start with – give her time to see what was available full time.
‘Hello …? Anyone home?’
The kitchen was a mess. Out of a mixture of boredom and wanting to pay Keith back for his entertainment of her, Grace was throwing a lot of effort into the meal she was cooking for him. She looked up as Marianne walked in through the back door. ‘Sorry,’ she grinned, wiping her hands on her apron. ‘I was never the tidiest of people if you remember! Time for a cuppa?’
‘Love one. You’re obviously busy though. Are you entertaining tonight?’
‘Your brother, actually.’
‘Oh?’
‘Don’t worry. Nothing’s going on. We’re just acting as a mutual support society at the moment.’
Marianne raised an eyebrow. ‘Well, just be warned, don’t get too sucked in with sympathy for him. He’s very good at getting everyone else to shoulder his responsibilities is my brother – much as I love him. But I’m with Amanda on this one; he needs to sort himself out.’
Grace moved over to put the kettle on. ‘I’ll remember that. So, how are things with you?’
‘Chasing my tail as usual. I’ve just finished in the surgery and now it’s back home to get Tom to bed and the supper on. You’re so lucky not working.’
‘It’s a luxury I can’t afford much longer, my finances are dire. Ellie starts school on Tuesday – I’ll need to get something sorted.’
She hesitated, gearing herself up to ask the question that was still plaguing her. ‘By the way, I don’t suppose you sent me an old photo of myself and Rory through the post did you?’
‘No, why?’
Grace shrugged. ‘No matter – somebody obviously found one and sent it to me. But there was no note with it. It just seemed a bit strange.’
‘Probably someone at the barbecue.’
‘That’s what I thought.’
‘I just bumped into Nick in the village shop. Seen much of him lately?’
‘No.’
Marianne looked at her, a mischievous twinkle in her eye. ‘Don’t you think he’s rather cute? You’ll probably think it’s none of my business, but ... I think the two of you would get on well together.’
‘Don’t you start. I’ve had quite enough of that from my sister. Why is it that every married woman seems to think that no other woman is complete unless she has a man in tow? Nick’s a nice chap, but he’s not my type–’
‘Not interrupting, I hope,’ a voice said smoothly from the doorway. ‘The door was open so I just came in.’
Grace swung round and went crimson.
‘Nick, lovely to see you,’ Marianne purred, proffering a cheek and somehow managing to look not at all put out. ‘You’re looking well ...’
Grace busied herself reheating the kettle. She swallowed her mortification as she offered him a drink.
‘Thanks, tea would be good,’ he responded. ‘How’s Matt, Marianne?’
‘Busy. I hear you and he are playing golf next week. He’s looking forward to it – he’s hardl
y played at all this summer.’
It took a while for Grace’s embarrassment to subside but she’d just about got over the worst of it by the time Marianne rose to go twenty minutes later, leaving her and Nick alone.
‘I’ve been meaning to drop by to see how things have been with Ellie since your talk with her,’ Nick said, ‘but it’s been a manic week. She looked very comfortable though last Sunday at Evelyn’s. Have things calmed down?’
‘More or less. I couldn’t believe she went to see Evelyn on her own.’
‘She obviously shares her mother’s independent streak.’
Grace smiled. ‘Perhaps. Anyway, we’ve agreed she can go and see Evelyn when she wants. I just won’t be going with her.’
‘And she’s happy with that?’
‘Not really, but she accepts it.’
He rose to go, the lean fluid lines of him unfolding effortlessly from the chair. He looked at her thoughtfully. ‘You’re a stubborn lady. Does it ever occur to you that you might be wrong about Evelyn?’
‘I’m not likely to change my views now.’
‘Not even for Ellie?’
‘That’s not fair.’
‘All I’m saying is that it’s not exactly fair on her either, is it? But it’s your life – and as you’ve told me before, it’s none of my business. By the way, Will asked me if I could pick up a CD that he lent to Ellie – Sonic Boom or some weird name like that?’
Grace looked blank. ‘God knows, but it’s probably up in her room if you don’t mind holding on a minute?’
She’d just put her fingers on it when she heard the doorbell ring.
‘I’ll get it,’ Nick called up. She got to the bottom of the stairs at the same time as he opened the front door, and she stared at the man on her doorstep in shock.
‘Stuart!’
‘Hello, Grace.’
‘What on earth–?’
He smiled. ‘I was passing and thought I’d drop by.’
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