‘He’s not,’ said Sherie
‘I didn’t think he was.’
‘But she does want to see him,’ said Charlotte.
‘Send him in!’ instructed Fay. ‘We’ve got to get moving anyway.’
‘No!’ Sherie shook her head.
Helen Stewart looked sternly at the others and spoke reassuringly to Sherie. ‘I’ll tell him you’re not having visitors.’
As the sister withdrew, Fay turned to Roz and Charlotte. ‘Stop him leaving. I’ll be there in a minute.’
‘I must say,’ she said conversationally, when the others had hastily hugged Sherie and departed, ‘I was surprised that night in the pub, that you’d been dating weirdoes from dating apps when you had a real-life Adonis staring adoringly at you.’
‘He didn’t seem like a weirdo at the time,’ said Sherie stiffly.
‘You know what I mean.’
‘Nate’s just a bit young.’
‘Never stopped me.’
‘Are you still seeing Cory?’
‘No – he was SO young he became a pain.’
Sherie gave Fay a shrewd look. ‘Well when it comes to not appreciating what’s right there, I could say the same to you about Len.’ She looked at Fay as if waiting for her to explode.
‘You could!’ Fay gave a sudden grin. ‘But we’re talking about you – so what’s the story?’
Embarrassed, Sherie gave her a stilted account of their last evening together. ‘I panicked,’ she said. ‘In case he noticed the lump.’
‘Well it’s gone now,’ said Fay practically. ‘And he knows what’s going on.’
‘I suppose Roz phoned him on the way here?’
‘Yes I think so. She felt sorry for him.’
Sherie shook her head. ‘I wish she hadn’t. It’s going to be really embarrassing.’
‘What would have happened if you hadn’t had a lump to panic about?’
‘Well probably … you know …’
‘Do you like him?’
‘Well yes, he’s great but …’
‘Find him attractive?’
‘Yes.’
Fay put her hands on her hips. ‘Then get over yourself!’
Fay leant over and gave Sherie a kiss, putting a hand on her arm for a brief moment. Then she turned on her bright red heels and swept out. ‘You look amazing by the way,’ Sherie called after her.
She heard Fay shout ‘thanks’ and then the murmur of voices outside in the corridor.
A few moments later Helen Stewart appeared. ‘Is that right your non-brother can come in, after all?’
Sherie nodded. ‘I guess so.’
Nate was carrying a small bunch of flowers and a large box of chocolates. ‘Best the garage had,’ he said, sitting down on the chair.
‘Thank you,’ Sherie smiled at him self-consciously. ‘I don’t really eat sweet things but–’
Nate moved the chair right up against the bed and leant out to touch her cheek. ‘I think you can now.’
Chapter 34
‘Oh wow!’ Roz, hurrying towards the ballroom in the pavilion, stopped in the open doorway and stared. Fairy lights twinkled on pillars wrapped round with ribbons, clusters of shiny balloons bobbed in every corner, flowers and candles adorned the tables set around the dance floor. The band’s kit was set up on stage for later – now the pure voice of Adele came through the speakers, the music mingling with the buzz of conversation from the bunches of people already filling the room and standing on the terrace. Beyond them the evening sun glinted on the sea rippling into Viking Bay.
The group nearest to them, raised their champagne glasses. ‘Hurrah!’ called out a woman in a black and silver dress. ‘They’re here!’
‘Get us some drinks!’ Charlotte called. ‘Roz, you remember Laura?’
‘Of course!’ Roz and Fay exchanged hugs with the attractive brunette. ‘Where are Andrew and Roger?’ Charlotte asked, as a young man appeared with a tray. ‘God, I need this!’ She picked up two glasses of fizz and handed them to Fay and Roz before taking one herself.
Laura smiled as Charlotte took a swig. ‘Andrew’s over there with someone he used to teach with at Highcourt, Roger’s not here yet.’
Charlotte frowned. ‘What do you mean? I phoned him bloody hours ago and told him to get his arse here pronto – he knew I had to go to the hospital – where is he?’
Laura shrugged. ‘I’m not sure. He had to fetch something.’
‘You’re lying!’ Charlotte looked straight at her. ‘And you’ve always been terrible at it, so I don’t know why you even try. Tell me right now where Roger is and why he’s not at his wife’s fiftieth where he should be …’
Laura shook her head. ‘It’s nothing to worry about – he really is getting something. Something nice for you.’
‘Hmmm.’ Charlotte looked sceptical. ‘Why this late in the day?’
‘Something went wrong with it.’
‘Something’s going to go wrong with him if he doesn’t get here soon!’
Fay had disappeared. Roz was looking anxious. ‘I don’t know where Amy’s got to either. I know she takes forever to get ready for anything but I’d have thought she’d be here by now.’
‘I’m going outside to phone Roger. I won’t be able to hear a thing in here.’ Charlotte delved in her bag. ‘I’ll be right back,’ she sang, swiftly kissing a couple who had just arrived, and darting past them back towards the doors.
She went out of the ballroom, quickly past the second small bar and up to the outer doors, intending to sit on the wall outside and make her call. As she went out into the warm evening, she saw a familiar figure on the pavement above her, his back turned. She walked softly up behind him, trying to stop her heels clicking on the concrete. Roger was on the phone.
‘Thank you again,’ he was saying. ‘I thought it was odd – thought I must be going potty as I know how efficient you are!’ He laughed. ‘No, not seen her yet. No, she hasn’t got a clue.’
Charlotte held her breath. Was this her present he was talking about? He was sounding very chummy.
‘Yes, I’m looking forward to it …’ There was a pause and he chuckled again. Charlotte’s heart was banging unpleasantly in her chest. There was something about the way he was sounding so pleased with himself … She crept closer. ‘Yes, see you soon. Thanks Marion – OW!’
Roger jerked forward as Charlotte landed a punch on his shoulder and then shoved him hard.
‘You slimy double-dealing bastard!’
‘Charlotte!’
‘I knew it – I knew you were up to something. I said you’d been seeing this Marion …’
Roger looked back at her calmly. ‘Yes I have.’
‘For you!’ he shouted, ducking as Charlotte lunged at him again. ‘It’s all been for you.’
She glared at him. ‘Go on then – surprise me!’
‘Come with me!’
Roger grasped her hand and began to stride purposefully back down the slope to the inner entrance of the pavilion.
‘What are you doing? I want you to tell me …’ she protested, heels clattering as Roger dragged her back through the party, greeting guests briskly as he went, then abruptly stopping and signalling to one of the staff behind the bar. The young man, with spiky hair and a ring in his nose, came to greet them, nodding cheerily as Roger handed him an envelope and murmured something in his ear.
‘I’m on it,’ he said, going back behind the bar.
‘What is going on?’ Charlotte demanded. Laura and Andrew appeared at her side.
‘I’ve got to do it now,’ Roger said to Laura. ‘Before she knocks me unconscious.’
‘I’m going to floor the bloody lot of you, if someone doesn’t tell me what this is all about …’
Roz joined them. ‘Charlotte, what’s the matter?’
‘My husband has been seeing a woman called Marion,’ said Charlotte furiously. ‘I’ve just caught him on the phone to her and–’
‘She sorted this out for me,
’ interrupted Roger, as suddenly the volume of the music went up several levels and people around them began to look at each other.
‘It had to be you,’ Roger said to Charlotte.
‘What the fuck?’ Charlotte looked at him confused, as the unmistakable sound of Rod Stewart came crooning through the speakers.
‘That’s what he’s singing.’
‘I know! Very kind of you to play him for me, but–’
‘And we’re going to dance to it …’
Roger grabbed Charlotte’s right hand with his left one and put his other arm round her waist. ‘I hope, after all this, you can still remember how!’
Before she could object, he had swung her onto the dance floor and begun to foxtrot, grinning widely as he twirled her around and everyone began to clap.
‘How?’ she gasped, as he swung her again before executing an accomplished left turn. She could see the fierce concentration on his face as he went through the slow, slow, quick, quick, she remembered from her classes when Joe was small, and took her into a promenade.
‘Lessons,’ he said breathlessly, as they turned again and she saw Fay grinning from the sidelines. ‘Months of them’.
‘Wednesday afternoons?’ she asked, as her favourite singer’s deep sexy tones seemed to caress them and Roger held her tighter.
He nodded as they moved together to the music. ‘With Marion – the teacher.’
‘I was panicking,’ he said when the last soulful notes had died away and their guests had erupted into applause. ‘Because I thought she’d given me the wrong music. But it was a few tracks into the CD. I hadn’t taken that bit in. We’ve been practising for weeks – I couldn’t let go anything go wrong now.’
Charlotte had a lump in her throat. ‘It was lovely of you,’ she said. ‘I never thought I’d get you dancing. It’s wonderful present.’
Roger grinned more. ‘This isn’t the present – this is just the trailer for it. We’re going on a Strictly cruise in January!’
‘Oh my God!’
‘Yes,’ Roger nodded, his face alight and excited in a way she’d forgotten. ‘My mum’s coming to stay with Joe and we’re going round the Caribbean!’
Charlotte gasped again. Roger was still talking. ‘We have dance classes every day and past stars from Strictly are on board.’
‘Oh darling, I’m so–’
‘Anton’s going to be there and that vicar chap you like from the radio.’
‘The Reverend Richard Coles?’ Charlotte gave a small scream. ‘Oh my God wait till I tell the others …’
‘Fay already knows!’ Roger laughed. ‘She thought I was up to no good too – you know that day I saw her? She bumped into me coming out of the class with Marion and I thought she was going to lynch me. She promised not to tell but I was worried for a day or two.’ He laughed again.
Charlotte laughed too. ‘I’m sure she didn’t think anything of the sort!’
Roger looked at her ‘But you did, didn’t you?’ He put his arms around her. ‘Please don’t again. I have promised.’
Charlotte looked at him, shamefaced. ‘OK.’
‘I love you.’
‘I know.’
Roger took her hand and led her into a corner by the stage, away from the others. ‘And because I love you, we’re going to cut down our drinking and have three booze-free days a week.’
Charlotte was startled. ‘What? Why are you looking at me like that? You have a beer every night.’
‘Yes – a beer – you’re drinking a whole bottle of wine some nights. I’m not having a go at you,’ he went on rapidly as her mouth opened. ‘Maybe I’ve caused you the stress. But I love you – and I want you to be around. We need to look after our health – we’re in our fifties now. We can’t get away with it like we could when we were younger. We’ll do it together. Three non-booze days a week – ok?’
Charlotte sighed. ‘Only you could announce a drying-out programme at a party!’ She smiled at him wryly. ‘Yes, we will cut down – but not tonight!’
‘No – tonight you celebrate. But I’ll have a better time now I’ve said this. I’ve been wanting to for weeks. Marion does yoga and mindfulness too – I want us to try mindful drinking. You focus on it and really enjoy it – savour every mouthful – but you only have one glass. And not every day.’
Charlotte rolled her eyes. “Sounds a bundle of laughs.”
‘Charlotte – it’s for the kids. You know Bex is worried about you?’
‘Of course she isn’t!’
‘Yes – she phoned me at work. She’d been reading an article about women and heart disease. She said – this sounds like Mum. Smoking, drinking, not doing exercise …’
‘OK, OK! We’ll do booze-free days – I don’t mind – but I am not sitting in a circle with you and this Marion, chanting.’
Roger hugged her.
There was a pause. Charlotte pulled back and looked at him. ‘What’s she like, anyway?’
‘You’ll meet her later – she’s coming with her husband about nine. And I’ve booked us evening classes. She’s starting up in Canterbury from September. Every Tuesday evening till Christmas.’
‘Jesus! Don’t say that word when I’m enjoying myself.’ Fay appeared next to them. ‘You got over the shock now?’
‘Bloody Nora.’ Charlotte exhaled loudly. ‘What a day for revelations! Roger – get us both a drink for God’s sake.’
Roger kissed the side of her head and set off in the direction of the bar.
‘You OK?’ Charlotte looked at Fay. ‘Do I detect a new understanding going on between you and Len? Have you finally succumbed?’
‘What are you talking about?’ Fay shook her head briskly. Then she took a deep breath. ‘I didn’t kick Dave out. He left me. He left me because he’d got a much younger woman up the duff and she’s been shooting out kids ever since.’
‘Christ,’ Charlotte breathed.
‘I couldn’t get pregnant – and then I went into the menopause early and then I had the cancer treatment going on so–’ Fay shrugged. ‘And by then Dave had long lost interest anyway.’
‘Not while you were ill?’
‘Yep. Very important to him to spread his seed apparently – if he’d known I was a complete failure in that department he wouldn’t have married me.’ Fay’s voice was hard. ‘I quote,’ she added matter-of-factly.
‘Oh Fay!’
‘Don’t be nice to me!’ Fay swallowed, then gave a brittle smile.
‘Anyway – Len found out I couldn’t stop looking at the Happy Bloody Family on Facebook. I can’t read the posts but their photos are all there …’ She paused. ‘And he’s been–’ Fay looked uncharacteristically moved. ‘Bloody brilliant actually.’ She shook her head disbelievingly. ‘He says he’s been in love with me for years!’
‘Ah that’s wonderful,’ Charlotte said, moved herself.
Fay grinned. ‘So, I dunno … we’ll see. But we had a terrible row and he said at one point he was going to quit, and I must say the thought of him not being there every day …’ She pulled a wry face. ‘He knows how to handle me …’
Charlotte nodded.
‘Anyway,’ continued Fay, ‘I felt I should tell you the truth now. On this auspicious occasion,’ she added in a self-mocking voice. ‘Since it’s all coming out …’
‘Yes, we’ve all had our secrets.’ Charlotte looked across the room to where Roger was holding two glasses. ‘I drink too much.’
‘Call that a secret?’
‘Seriously – it’s got a bit out of hand. After tonight I’m going to be dealing with it. It’s got earlier and earlier in the day. I guess I didn’t want to admit that since my closest friend moved away and my daughter left, I’ve spent a lot of time feeling as lonely as fuck. A sort of inside loneliness if you know what I mean.’
‘I do.’
‘That’s why I’m always trying to surround myself with people – why I crave gatherings …’
‘Roger sent these!’ Roz arri
ved, arrived carrying the two glasses of champagne. His work people have just arrived, he said to tell you.’
‘So spill yours!’ Fay put her free arm around Roz’s shoulders.
‘My what?’
‘Charlotte says we’ve all been keeping something in the closet.’
Roz looked at Charlotte in surprise. ‘Have you told her?’
‘No, of course not!’
‘What’s this?’ Fay looked from one to the other. ‘I was only joking. So you have got something to hide? Now I’m really agog.’
‘It’s all finished now. But I’ll tell you in the morning – at the hangover breakfast.’
Fay raised her eyebrows. ‘Do I know about this?’
‘Oh yes, I meant to say.’ Charlotte raised her glass to them both. ‘It’s a fry up at mine. 10 a.m. The full works plus a post-mortem. Laura and Andrew and Stanley are staying. Roz is bringing Amy. You can bring Len. The more the merrier!’ She stopped and gave a wry smile. ‘See what I mean?’
She looked around the room. ‘Hey, we mustn’t stand here like the three witches. Let’s circulate!’ She kissed them both and swung off.
Fay went to look for Len. He smiled as she approached him. ‘You do look wonderful.’
‘You don’t clean up badly yourself, Leonard. Are all the mob here now?’
‘I think so!’
‘I’ve got a tab going at the bar when the fizz has finished. Tell them all to just say they’re with Sternhouse and they can have whatever they want.’ She glanced over to where Matt was standing with his wife. ‘What’s their baby’s name?’
Matt smiled at her as she approached but his wife Lisa’s face was set.
‘How is Poppy?’ Fay asked.
It was Lisa who answered. ‘She’s OK. Mum’s looking after her. It’s the first time I’ve left her – she’s been so unwell I haven’t been able to. But Matt wanted me to come with him.’ She looked at Fay, challenge in her eyes, making it clear that left to her, Fay could have stuffed her birthday.
Fay took a deep breath. ‘I didn’t realise you’d been through all that the night before, Matthew, and I apologise for giving you a hard time. It won’t happen again.’ She paused. ‘We haven’t really got our ducks in a row about paternity leave – I’m going to talk to Elaine about it – but I would like you to have next week off to get some rest and spend some time with your family. Full pay – and it won’t come out of your holiday allowance.’
The Big Five O Page 23