Sometimes she wondered what her ex-husband was doing, where he was living and who he was with. After the divorce he had been totally absent from their lives, not even sending Laura a birthday card. Hilary had made the effort and diligently sent him change of address notifications any time they moved house, until their daughter was twelve and the letters came back as addressee unknown. She wondered if he’d gone bald like his father or if he had gone for a hairpiece. Probably bald.
Hilary had been looking forward to watching her daughter blossom into motherhood. She had decided on being called Nana, since she thought that sounded younger than Granny, and then, musing on her own future, she had decided that she wanted it to be filled with fun. So she’d booked a cruise.
Her trip was carefully planned for two months after the birth, to give her time to help Laura rest, and she had decided on a cruise around Malaysia. She saw herself soaking up the local culture and cuisine, basking in the sun during the day and sweeping down curved staircases in glamorous dresses, vying for a place on the captain’s table in the evenings. At home, in the privacy of her solitude, she had practised how the staircase sweeping would actually happen. Scarlet O’Hara had some stiff competition.
Hilary had spent so much of her life trying to live up to the high expectations that others seemed to have set for her that the vertigo sometimes left her breathless. She was the one neighbours relied on if their babysitters cancelled, the one who was always at home for parcels to be delivered to and the one who would listen to a friend’s problems without voicing her own. Basically she coped, and she never went anywhere.
She hadn’t told Laura and Andy about her plans, reasoning that after the baby was born they’d be too tired to make fun of her if they thought she was acting foolishly, and now here she was again, coping and not going anywhere. In her mind’s eye she saw the ship she should have travelled on, sailing into the distance without her.
The baby began to grizzle, awake now and demanding attention. Hilary took a deep breath and went back to living up to expectations.
November
As morning dawned in Lower Hupswallop, the doorbell startled Ruth who had fallen asleep on her armchair. She had meant to go to bed after the late night news but age and the side effects of her medication were not being kind to her sleep patterns. The TV was still on but the laptop on the pull-out table had lost all battery.
She checked her reflection in the hall mirror as she went for the door, negotiating packing boxes full of winnings as she went. From going days with no contact with the outside world she found she looked forward to the postman’s daily visits and the delivery men were regular visitors.
“Morning, could you sign here please?” An electronic gadget and stick was presented to her but this wasn’t her first time and she knew what to do. She gave her signature with a flourish. “Thanks. Would you like me to put these inside for you?”
Ruth nodded gratefully and moved aside to allow room for the man to bring in three boxes and a pile of letters and catalogues. She’d always been disparaging about catalogue shopping in the past but since her details had been sold on by so many competition holders she was getting a steady stream of brochures and secretly loved it.
The postman left with a cheerful wave and Ruth eagerly found kitchen scissors and picked up the nearest box.
The trouble with entering so many competitions, she thought as she pulled out a lingerie box, was that they all blurred into one and it became an exercise in quantity rather than quality. Ruth held up the delicate lace creation and tried to think what her neighbours would say if they saw it on the line drying in the breeze next to her support stockings and hernia corset. Without regret she put it to the side with the other items she would give to Penny later that day. An item like that wouldn’t help to get a husband but it would certainly assist with keeping one.
She had surprised herself by discovering how much she enjoyed Penny’s company. Too many people in her life had promised much and delivered little but the vicar’s wife was an unending stream of goodwill. For weeks she had been popping in to Ruth’s flat, sharing news of wins and taking her out to little events that Edward couldn’t join her at because of his duties. She had been an uncomplaining chaperone and taxi driver, but today Ruth was going to be able to repay her friend’s kindness.
A larger box revealed what appeared to be some kind of handbag although it certainly wasn’t big enough to hold anywhere near the volume of essentials needed for the shortest of trips. Ruth had seen the light after Geoff had given her a little shopping trolley last Christmas and she would never again have to ration her mint imperials. With a little shrug she put the Mulberry clutch bag onto the pile for Penny.
The final parcel revealed a breast pump. Without hesitation it went onto a second pile destined for the church jumble.
Winning competitions was rather like being visited by Santa, strangely magical even though you knew who was under the fluffy white beard.
Her mood buoyed up with each parcel and letter and by the time Penny arrived she was practically levitating on the ceiling.
“Penny dear, I’ve won a voucher for the local supermarket to be used for ‘festive cheer’. I was hoping cheer meant Christmas cards but it seems it’s to be used to get enough bottles of alcohol to stock a drinks cabinet. I shouldn’t drink on my pills so you may as well take them away with you. It’s the top envelope on the box between the fridge and the wrapped-up dishwasher that came yesterday.”
“Really, a whole drinks cabinet?” Penny felt tears fill her eyes at her new friend’s generosity. She couldn’t remember a time when there had been more than a couple of dubious-looking gifted bottles in the drinks cupboard.
“That’s what it said on the voucher. I did call the shop to see if I could swap it for greetings cards but they laughed at me and said it was one bottle of everything or nothing at all. I’m sure you could make use of it, especially with Christmas coming up. I expect you’ll have a full house?” Ruth tried to keep her voice neutral but Geoff would be working in the afternoon and deep down she was dreading the thought of a quiet Christmas.
“It’s usually pretty full up and I suspect I won’t know who’s coming until the last minute. Edward generally manages to forget to tell me until the day before but always acts surprised when I prepare for the feeding of the five thousand.” He also acts surprised when I try to explain that we can’t afford his generosity, Penny added silently to herself, but perhaps this year would be different? Clutching the voucher to her chest in case it flew away she smiled at Ruth. “Would you and Geoff like to join us this year? Please say yes, it would be lovely to spend the day with at least one person, other than Edward, that I’ve actually got something in common with!”
“Well, I wouldn’t like to impose…” Her heart soared. “If you’re sure it wouldn’t be any trouble…?”
“No trouble at all. Really, once you start catering for the number that we have turn up, a couple of extra dirty plates won’t even make an impression on the huge mountain of washing up!”
Ruth beamed with delight. “Oh, that’s alright, dear, just take the dishwasher. We can call it an early Christmas present.”
“You actually won that?”
“I was hoping for the runner-up prize of a new dinner service, I already have a dishwasher so it’s rather surplus to requirements.”
“But… that’s so… I mean… really?”
“Absolutely. Now then, we have to be at the garden centre for mid-day so shall we make a start? I don’t want to be late.”
Ruth was somewhat disappointed at Penny’s choice of clothing. Of course she realised that a lot of people wore jeans these days and they were probably clean, but goodness they were faded. The winter was starting to close in but she wasn’t even wearing a coat, just an over-sized cardigan, tied in the middle with what looked like a woollen scarf. Tact was not one of Ruth’s strong points and she struggled to bite down a few choice remarks concerning the dangers of letting yourself
go.
Penny, oblivious to the scrutiny she was under, pulled the tie around her waist a little tighter. “It’s so exciting that you’ve won a mystery prize, I wonder what it could be?”
“I hope it’s a new trowel. Is that what you’re wearing today?” Ruth saw the surprise on Penny’s face and a blush starting.
“Well, I usually manage to pick up the plants that have just been watered and cover myself in dirty water so I thought this was a safe choice. My wardrobe’s not exactly extensive…”
“Oh, it’s a good choice for the garden centre, but what about the tea room afterwards?”
“I can go back home to change?”
Ruth started to wheel out her trolley. “No time. I’ve got two boxes inside, if you wouldn’t mind bringing them out with you. One for you, one for the church fete, but if there’s nothing suitable in your box please just move it over. I think there’s a jumper that might fit you in there.”
Penny opened a box as Ruth carried on talking. “It’s just some bits and pieces that I’ve been winning that aren’t really suitable for me.”
“How many competitions are you entering?” she exclaimed in astonishment.
“Probably all of them, it looks messy to leave competitions un-entered if they’re listed on a web page. I can’t walk properly, the wet leaves outside make me nervous in case I fall again, I don’t sleep well and it keeps Geoff from suggesting some kind of dreary day care centre.” She shuddered.
Penny was only half listening, her head deep into the box with her neatly written name on the side. She pulled out a cashmere sweater.
“This is gorgeous!”
“Isn’t it? Not my style though, I think there’s an age where fluffy is probably inappropriate but I’m sure it would suit you. There’s some more in the box but let’s not be late, shall we?”
Penny took the not-so-subtle hint and jumped in the car. The two made small talk as they drove, mainly trying to guess what it was they were about to collect. Once at their destination, Penny put the back seats down to allow more boot space. The garden centre was significantly more upmarket than she was expecting so she took off her old cardigan and slipped on the soft new jumper with gratitude.
Ruth walked slowly, stick to her right and Penny to her left. A wheelchair would have been more convenient but her pride wouldn’t let her do that just yet.
Inside was business as usual and she was strangely disappointed. Not that she expected balloons and a fanfare, but a prize was a prize and she had thought it merited more of a sense of occasion.
A smartly dressed woman was shuffling paperwork at the customer services desk, a little way into the building; Ruth approached her.
“Good morning, my name is Mrs Tonder, I’ve won a prize and I was advised to arrive here at noon today?” The assistant looked blankly at her for a few moments. “Am I in the right place?”
“Mrs Tonder? Hang on a second please… ah yes, here you are… We’ve had a number of prize winners over the last week, let me just see what it is you’ve won… oh right, the outdoor set.” The assistant looked up from the sheet of paper and gave Ruth a wide smile. “How fabulous, do you have a large garden?”
“I’m currently living with my son and I suppose he has a reasonably sized garden. What’s in the set?”
“Erm, I’m not sure. Between you and me it’s a bit of a tax write-off. The last season items that haven’t sold, but are still very presentable, go either as a charity or promotional thing. Yours is the last prize to be awarded so there’s a good chance that there’ll be a bit of a selection. What I do know though, is that all the prize-winners get a glass of champagne and complimentary lunch so let me take you to the restaurant while I organise things.” The assistant gave them another smile and came out from behind the desk. “One other thing, we have two presentation bouquets of flowers for you. I’ll keep them in water while you have your meal.”
“How kind.”
Penny looked outside at her small car. “Um… I put the back seat down in my car but the car’s not terribly long. Do you think the outdoor set will fit in it?”
“I don’t think so, there’s delivery and fitting as part of the prize so please don’t worry about that. Some of the smaller items could go in though, I suppose. Ah, here’s the restaurant, let me just update the waiting staff and I’ll be right back. Please have a seat.”
Ruth hobbled over to a seat by the window that had a view over the shrubbery and car park.
“It doesn’t sound as though my little trolley’s going to be big enough.” Ruth shuffled on her seat to find a comfortable position. “I wonder if this set’s going to include a sun lounger? Geoff doesn’t seem to have any that are padded enough for me and being able to sit in the sun really helps my arthritis.”
Penny sat down and watched a delivery van back up to the entrance. “What did she mean by delivery and fitting as part of the prize?”
“Maybe it’s putting up a sun shade?”
“That would be nice. Maybe it’s with a table and matching chairs, I like those rattan ones with the striped cushions. You’d be able to host a garden party!” Penny looked hopeful.
A waitress approached carrying an ice bucket and a bottle. “Hi, I’m Lucy. Congratulations on your prize, you must be so excited!” She deftly ran a knife around the foil top, untwisted the wire and eased the cork out without wasting the champagne on the pop.
Ruth basked in the attention. “Very excited, but I’m not sure what the set I’ve won consists of. Do you know?”
“Sorry, I can’t remember all of it but I was dead impressed when I saw it advertised. I’ve only got a little terrace house so it wouldn’t be any good for me but OMG you must have a big garden.” She poured the champagne and passed them the menu. “So… you can order a three-course meal or the five-course set menu with the compliments of the manager. Personally I’d go for the five course one because the fish is just yum.”
“That’s what we’ll do then.” Ruth looked over at Penny. “Is that all right with you, dear?”
“Oh yes, it’s all looks lovely.” Penny took a sip of champagne. “Pity I’m driving really, I’ll have to stop at half a glass.”
“Rubbish, I’ll call Geoff and get him to pick us up. Opportunities like this don’t come along every day and I fully intend to make the most of it. Anyway, I can only have one glass because of my medication and it would be a positive sin to leave some so the responsibility for that lies with you.”
“Um… I’m not sure if I should…”
“Then I’ll have to be sure enough for both of us. Cheers!” Ruth raised her glass.
Penny laughed and touched glasses. “Cheers!”
The waitress had been correct, the five-course meal was delicious and the champagne went down surprisingly quickly. Ruth decided that her medication would probably allow for two glasses and Penny stopped caring after her first.
Over their desert, a rich chocolate pudding with cream, Ruth’s thoughts turned, as they increasing did these days, to her prize wins.
“How’s the fundraising for the new church roof coming along?”
“Slowly. The run-up to Christmas is usually pretty bad for fundraising, we make up for it a little on Christmas week when everyone starts feeling generous but it’s a slow process. I’ve hardly seen Edward as he’s up to his neck in nativity plays and meetings.”
They watched as two staff members loaded a fire pit into the delivery van.
“I was wondering…” said Ruth. “What if we brought Hilary into the competition thing and between us we put some of our winnings towards the raffle at the summer fete?”
“That would be very generous of you; do you think Hilary would be interested?”
A procession of staff carrying wrapped furniture appeared by the van.
“I’m sure of it, I think, although she’d never admit it, that she’s bored stupid looking after that baby all day long. I see her take the baby out in the stroller every morning and at her age she
must have thought that she’d be done with all that sort of thing. I hear Laura’s not making any progress?”
“I haven’t heard anything encouraging, no.”
Outside, a forklift truck, hoisting a water feature, was directed to where the now growing number of staff were huddled around the van. There was a cheer and a smattering of applause as the driver expertly managed to squeeze the fountain in.
Ruth pushed the last piece of pudding onto her spoon. “Then it’s a plan. I’ll go over and see her tomorrow.”
“Hmm?” Penny was staring out of the window.
“I said, I’ll go over and see her tomorrow. Are you all right, you seem a bit distracted?”
“One of the staff outside just gave me a thumbs-up as they loaded a patio heater in to the van.” Penny looked confused.
“Do you know him?”
“No.”
“Strange person.”
Lucy arrived to take their plates. “Would you like any tea or coffee? The truck’s almost loaded but it will be a few more minutes.”
“Sorry, what truck?” asked Ruth.
“That one.” She pointed outside. Three panels of trellis had been added to the side of the van.
“That’s not my prize, is it?” Ruth felt her stomach lurch.
Lucy laughed, shaking her head. Ruth breathed out.
“Our vans are good but even with the forklift they’d never be able to fit everything in there. The hot tub will need to be delivered separately.”
Full of champagne, good food and good conversation Penny chatted happily to Geoff as he played chauffeur and took her and Ruth away from the garden centre. She was surprised to find out how much they had in common. When his mother had been carefully walked up the path to their home and it was just the two of them in the car, Geoff had been a lot more open about himself. Penny found it strange that Ruth had so clearly missed the element of Geoff’s character that meant he would never find the right woman, settle down and give her the grandchild that she was often hinting about.
Love, Lies and Lemon Cake Page 6