A Jarful of Moondreams: What Secrets Are Ready to Spill Out?

by Chrissie Bradshaw

  Teri stepped out into a dull, grey Friday morning, noticing the fine haze that could turn to drizzle at any moment. Their Northumbrian climate was great for the complexion but not for aching bones. If all went as planned, she would soon be somewhere hot and dry and different.

  As Teri drove over to the Collingwood’s, she wondered what Mary would say about her idea for the summer. She had been friends with Mary ever since they’d both been pregnant ‘older’ mums.

  Mary, Dr Collingwood’s wife and receptionist, had three children going to Cleo’s school and an active part in Dunleith life so, before their last pregnancies, Teri had known her well enough to say hello and chat about village events. The Collingwood twins came along as a great surprise when Mary was forty-one. Teri had been in her mid-thirties with a teenage daughter who happened to have a massive ‘crush’ on Mary’s eldest, when they started the same antenatal class.

  That first session, they sat beside one another in the back row behind a squad of eager first time twenty-somethings to hear about the changes in approaches to labour and rearing babies.

  ‘I don’t think I need this, it was my husband, Joe, who urged me to come along. confided Mary.

  ‘Neither do I, it was your husband who told me to sign up too.’ whispered Teri.

  ‘He can come to the next one. I think I’ll leave at the break. Having babies hasn’t changed.’

  ‘I’ll make my escape with you.’ They scarpered off for a coffee and became firm friends.

  A steady drizzle had set in by the time she reached the Collingwood’s so Teri parked as near to Fernlea Lodge as she could get. It was a large gravel car park that served the house and the doctor’s surgery and she wanted to be as near to the front door as possible to save the outfit that she was dropping off from getting wet. As she was taking it from the back seat, the door opened. She waved at Mary who was standing there with an armload of laundry.

  ‘Hi, come in, Teri. Come and rescue me from stripping beds.’

  Teri hung the dress along the picture rail in the hall and left a bag with shoes and makeup underneath it. ‘Is this OK here, for now? Alex asked me to bring her stuff over because she’s coming round to get ready at your house tonight.’

  Mary nodded taking the dress and holding it against herself. Looking at her reflection in the hall mirror, she said, ‘I couldn’t get away with that now. I used to wear them that length too. The twins are looking forward to the sixth form disco, even though they claim to be far too cool for it.’

  ‘Yes, it’s not got the girls as excited as Edinburgh but they’ll have fun,’ Teri said, as they walked through to the large kitchen.

  The farmhouse table was already set with a percolator of coffee, mugs and some cheese scones. This was always a kitchen of delicious smells.

  ‘Actually, Alex has been subdued all week and I’m pleased she’s off out with the twins tonight. I’ve been waiting to see if she’s coming down with something.’

  ‘Dan did have to collect them all because Ella was so sick after the concert. I thought it was the excitement but they may have caught something.’ Mary poured the coffee and popped a scone onto a napkin and handed it to Teri. ‘We’ll save on plates.’

  ‘Mmm, thanks. Yes, Alex told me that he’d picked them up so they didn’t have to bother with the bus home on Sunday morning. He’s so good with your younger ones.’ Teri bit into her scone.

  ‘Did you have a good catch up with Cleo?’ Mary asked.

  Taking a sip of coffee, Teri waded in. ‘I wanted to talk to you about that. About why I needed Cleo to myself, I mean.’

  ‘What’s wrong? Why are you looking worried?’ Mary’s concern encouraged Teri to tell Mary about her plans.

  ‘You’re right, I am worried. It’s a bit complicated and I hope I’m doing the right thing but I’m not sure.’

  Mary sipped her coffee and waited. ‘Come on Teri, spill the beans.’

  ‘Ok. As you know, ever since Alex was born, Cleo hasn’t really gelled with her. She’s never really taken to having a sister and you could say it’s the big age gap but, when I see Dan and the way he is with the twins... the way he is with Alex even, I can’t help feeling it’s not just the gap.

  ‘I can see that they’re not that great with one another. When she was younger and going out with Dan, Cleo didn’t seem to mind the twins when she was around here but didn’t like Alex being included in things.’

  Teri put her head in her hands, this wasn’t anything new to her but she hated hearing it.

  ‘I’m sorry, Teri. I don’t want to upset you more. Anyway, why are you thinking of all this now? What’s brought all this on?’

  Teri looked up. Yes, why? That was what she really wanted to talk over. Taking a breath, she explained.

  ‘I want them to bond, Mary. I hope this doesn’t sound silly, but now that they’re both grown up, my greatest fear is that they’ll never regard each other as... as true sisters, as family. I’m annoyed with myself and worried that I’ve let the cold war between them go on too long and, if it’s the last thing I do, I want to know I’ve done everything I can to get them to become closer. Be honest, does that sound daft to you?’

  ‘Certainly not!’ Mary hesitated before adding, ‘It might take some doing. I mean, Cleo’s in Newcastle and, when she comes home, Alex comes over here as soon as she can to avoid Cleo’s company.’

  ‘Exactly.’ Teri sat back down at the table and sipped her coffee. ‘When I was going through all that ovarian cancer treatment, I vowed that once I was on my feet, I’d sort out the girls. I was so tired afterwards and I was trying to pick myself up at first and then time passed... It was easier to fall into old ways of managing them and sharing my time.’

  ‘And now?’ Mary topped up their mugs and returned her whole attention to what Teri was saying.

  ‘Now I need to sort it out, if I can. I don’t know if Joe has told you anything about my tests?’

  ‘Joe doesn’t ever discuss his patients’ health with… Oh Teri, don’t tell me you’re ill again?’

  Teri could see that Mary was alarmed and shrugged, ‘I don’t know as yet. I went to Joe with this nagging bone pain that I’ve had for a while. It’s getting worse and I think it might be nothing or it might not be good.’

  ‘What tests do you have to have done?’ Mary looked tearful but Teri knew that she wasn’t the type to gush at her. She didn’t need pity right now.

  ‘As I said, it might be nothing, but Joe sent me to a consultant who suggested blood tests, an MRI and a CT scan just to see. I’m on some kind of relaxant and ordinary painkillers already for the aches I get and it could be natural ageing of my joints.’ Teri tried to grin. ‘Or, it may be the magic pills that I’m taking. They’re good at keeping stray cancer cells in check but they can increase stiffness and pain in the joints, so I’m not panicking yet. My consultant says it’s all precautionary, but it has given me the shake-up I need about sorting out the girls. I can’t become ill again without them supporting each other.’

  Mary was at the cupboard finding glasses and pouring two drinks. ‘It might be early for wine but there’s nothing wrong with a mid-morning sherry at times like this.’

  She handed Teri a glass and took a sip of her own. ‘Right. So, what are you going to do and can I help?’

  ‘I have a plan of sorts, and it might sound mad at first.’

  ‘Try me.’

  ‘I’ve promised myself a trip to Egypt for years. Something has always got in the way. First of all, I thought of inviting the girls along; although they haven’t got my interest in Egyptology, it would be family time together. Then I had a bolder plan; why not head for Egypt on my own and leave Cleo in charge of Alex for the whole time that I’m gone? What do you think?’

  It was Mary’s turn to pace the kitchen. ‘I’m stunned. How long would you be away?’

  ‘Two months or so to give me time to see all the sights and to give the girls a real chance to become close. I’m going to get an open ticket so I
can book my return at any time.’

  ‘It might work, or it might be a disaster. If it doesn’t work out, we’ll have Alex here so you can travel. That’s no bother, truly. Don’t worry about her.’

  ‘You mustn’t let Alex or Cleo know that’s a possibility. I want the two of them to be thrown together and it’ll be sink or swim for their relationship.’ Teri knew her solution sounded rash but she hadn’t got a better one and she hadn’t time to make one. She’d already booked her flight and first hotel in Cairo for next month before she could back out.

  Mary stood behind her and she felt a comforting squeeze on her shoulders. ‘I can see why you needed a bit of time with Cleo to persuade her to go with that.’

  ‘She agreed more quickly than I dared hope, if I’m honest. This weekend it’s time to persuade Alex to stay with Cleo. I haven’t wanted to mention it while she’s so peaky.’

  ‘I’m sure Alex will be fine, eventually. It’s all bravado with her. Underneath her ‘couldn’t care less’ attitude over her big sister, I’m certain Alex would love her to be nicer and have time for her. No Teri, it’s not such a crazy idea at all.’ Mary poured more coffee and Teri felt her mood lighten, this was all she needed. It felt wonderful to hear someone else say that this might work out.

  ‘In fact, the more I get used to it, it’s inspired thinking and the Egypt trip is just what you need. Tell me about that!’ Mary smiled.

  They drank coffee and enjoyed another scone while Teri described what she wanted to see and do. Mary looked enthralled but, as Teri was going to leave, she noticed her friend’s face cloud over.

  ‘What about these tests, though? Do you want me to go with you? Have you a date?’

  ‘They’re all done, one last week and one yesterday. You know I’d rather get these things over with on my own. The CT scan was quick and even the MRI was nothing; an injection, a walk around the shops for a couple of hours for the radioactivity to kick in and then lying very still while my bones were viewed from all directions. The results will be ready in a few weeks – or whenever I want them.’

  ‘What’s that supposed to mean for goodness sake?’ Mary pushed her hair back from her face revealing heavy frown lines.

  ‘Mary, these results aren’t going to stop my trip. I won’t agree to any treatment until I’m back. I’ve decided that I will only make an appointment to go over my results when I’m ready to hear them.’

  ‘But it could be good news!’

  ‘And it could be bad; I’ll just wait until I’ve completed my trip and I’m ready to hear the outcome.’ Teri was leaving Mary’s feeling better than when she’d arrived, but she could sense that Mary was concerned. Mary gave Teri an extra tight hug at the door and was about to say something when Teri distracted her with the dress hanging in the hallway.

  ‘You’d have to be seventeen to get away with that shade of orange wouldn’t you?’

  ‘It’s too hard to keep up with their fashion ideas,’ said Mary. ‘I’ll take it up to the twins’ room and promise I won’t try it on!’ They both laughed; Mary didn’t look her age and was by no means plump but the dress was a slim size eight and might stretch over a thigh.

  As the front door closed, Teri searched for her car keys in her bag and noticed that she had a phone message. Sinking into the driver’s seat, she opened the text.

  ‘Hi Mum. Italy tomorrow for rest and recuperation before I take up my teen care duties. Hope you’ve booked your trip. Love you lots. Xxx’

  Marvellous. She’d got one daughter on side. Now she just had to break the news gently to Alex.

  7

  Cleo had never slept so badly. Troubled dreams meant that she was already wide awake when the alarm went off on Saturday morning, the first day of half term. She hadn’t phoned Dan back but she couldn’t stop thinking about him. What could she say to him when she was jetting off on holiday with another man?

  She’d been dreaming about Alex too. Alex had been handing Cleo her phone to call Dan and when she woke up, she remembered the shocked look in Alex’s eyes as she took her iPhone last weekend. Maybe she had been a bit harsh, but it seemed like her sister needed to grow up a bit.

  As she showered, she thought about Heather’s advice when they’d talked it all through, yet again, on the phone last night.

  ‘You have no choice but to leave all this Dan and family stuff behind you for the week, Cleo. Go and recharge your batteries. This trip was already planned and you weren’t to know Dan would reappear. It will show you how things are with Neil and you can sort everything else out when you get back.’

  So that’s what she intended to do. She wasn’t going to burden Neil with any of her troubles; they didn’t know each other well enough yet. She knew nothing about his family. She couldn’t tell him about Dan but maybe she would tell him about the Alex situation when they got back. It would affect him if their relationship became serious.

  The airport was just a fifteen-minute drive away. Cleo got there promptly and looked around departures trying to spot Neil. The small airport was packed with families taking off for half term and long queues weaved up and down the baggage area for early flights to Majorca, Tenerife and Benidorm. There were just a few people at the Bergamo desk, one or two business types and a middle aged couple who were speaking Italian. The queue was moving quickly and she didn’t know whether to join it or wait.

  Turning back towards the revolving doors, she saw Neil coming into the airport, smiling and helping an older woman through the doors with her case. He was wearing a white open-necked shirt and jeans under a beige linen jacket that skimmed his frame; he liked good tailoring. His dark blonde hair had been cut shorter, it suited his fine features. He carried his brown leather holdall and the woman’s larger suitcase through into departures with ease.

  The woman was thanking him effusively as Cleo went towards them.

  ‘No problem, enjoy your journey.’ Neil said. Catching Cleo’s eye, he opened his arms wide and met her with a grin and a hug.

  Cleo could see the older women shoot her an envious look before she moved on. She had to admit, he was a handsome, charming man and all hers for this holiday. She couldn’t let a chance meeting with Dan spoil her chance of getting to know Neil better. Dan had been so unfair last weekend.

  ‘A whole week away, it’ll be wonderful,’ she said linking arms with Neil and hoping she was right.

  ‘Yes, let’s get rid of these cases and relax in the bar.’

  ‘Neil, it’s 6.30 a.m. not p.m.’ Cleo smiled at him thinking he was jesting.

  ‘You’re not at school now, Miss Moon; we’re celebrating our holiday and buck’s fizz or a Bellini will be quite in order.’

  Neil had left his credit card in his case, so Cleo settled their bar bill before they walked to the gate for their flight.

  ‘Really, Neil, you are careless with your money,’ she said. He’d lost his wallet when they met skiing and he’d needed his friends to bail him out then.

  Neil was an expert skier, having spent a year in his teens as an instructor and he spoke fluent Italian. With his tan, his good looks and his speed on skis, Cleo had been bowled over; both literally by Neil as they both skied towards the café at the end of a red run and emotionally when she looked into laughing eyes as he picked her up.

  They were chatting over a hot chocolate and had made a date for that evening when some of his friends joined them. One of them had told her that her date would be courtesy of him because Neil had lost his wallet.

  ‘OK, OK, you don’t need to lecture me, Cleo I’m not one of your naughty Year 10s!’

  ‘Sorry, Neil, I know you’re not.’ He could make her feel like a stick-in-the-mud at times, was she really such a school marm?

  ‘Anyway’, he was smiling again,’ let’s get on the plane and drink a toast, to a fantastic trip.’

  They arrived in Bergamo and walked through the newer area towards the Funicular, an old-fashioned cable rail that would take them to the medieval part of the city. It was l
ate afternoon when they got there and the old cobbled streets, bathed in the last rays of sunshine, had a magical charm about them.

  ‘Let’s get rid of this baggage and take a walk around the old city wall.’ suggested Neil.

  ‘Sounds great to me, we can look for somewhere to eat, maybe book it for later on our way back.’ Cleo agreed.

  Their hotel was just off the Piazza Vecchia. They found the old building and started climbing the steep steps leading to the entrance. Inside seemed cool after leaving the sunlight, it had a historic feel to it, dark with splendid paintings and ornate furniture.

  ‘This is just perfect!’ Cleo’s eyes feasted on the sombre beauty around her. It didn’t matter that the elderly gentleman on reception seemed to be looking at them with a dour expression, he was perfect for the building and its decor.

  Cleo stood by as Neil spoke to the old chap, he loved showing off his ability to speak the language and whatever it was that he said, caused the chap to laugh. Neil seemed pleased that his charm had worked. He does like to be liked, mused Cleo. Now why am I thinking of that as a negative?

  Their room was spacious and high-ceilinged with a view of the bustling town from the little terrace. Cleo quickly freshened up, pulled a comb through her hair and added her holiday lipstick. Neil came behind her and picked up the elegant gold tube. He squinted to read ‘insouciance’ written in the circle on the base, translating he said,

  ‘In Italy, it’s ‘Spensierato’ I like that idea.’

  ‘Know all,’ she teased.

  ‘Sei cosi bella, you are so lovely,’ They kissed. Cleo lifted her arms round his neck and he murmured more in Italian while leading her towards the bed. Cleo sank onto the pillows; her holiday was getting better and their walk around the city would have to wait until morning.

  They lay on the tousled sheets entwined in each other’s arms and listened to the laughter and voices outside until it grew really dark.

  ‘I’m starving,’ announced Cleo sitting up and looking admiringly at Neil’s taught body. Their lovemaking had been a surprise. Neil had been a little rushed for her liking, but he was passionate and they had lots of time over the next few days. It’ll get better she told herself.