‘Me neither!’ Jamie insisted, looking disgusted as the two women collapsed into giggles. ‘Oh, you know what I mean! Anyway, I wish Dad would hurry up. Steven said he’d pay me ten pounds if I unpacked the boxes from the salerooms and washed everything. This is costing me money!’
‘You’re your father’s son, right enough.’ Rosie ruffled his hair.
She was delighted that Jamie now called Steven by his first name. Their friendship had gone from strength to strength since that awful time Jamie had run away, blaming Steven for the breakdown of his parents’ marriage.
But Rosie was sorry for Leon. If Kizzy and William hated the thought of him remarrying, how were they going to react when told the reason why?
‘Here he is!’ Kizzy spun round from the window. ‘I’ll let him in.’
‘He’s still got a key,’ Rosie reminded her gently.
‘You’re not firm enough.’ She grinned at her mother. ‘You should have changed the locks!’
‘I threatened that once. Luckily, we’re behaving in a more civilised way now. Your dad will always be welcome here.’
‘Not if he wants me to be a bridesmaid, he won’t!’ But Kizzy was giggling as she ran into the hall to meet him.
‘Are you going to stay?’ Leon looked at Rosie.
She looked younger each time he saw her these days. She was still wearing the same clothes, long floral skirts and cotton tops – she had never been one to fuss about clothes. But her face was serene, her eyes clear, and she was always smiling. It hurt to think he had caused her so much anxiety.
‘No,’ she said. ‘I’ve got a lunch date. I want to get ready, and I think I’ll be better out of the way.’ She looked at her husband, and then at Kizzy and Jamie. ‘Good luck.’
‘You’re going to marry her, aren’t you?’ Kizzy said as soon as Rosie had left. ‘That’s what you want to tell us, isn’t it?’
Leon sat on the sofa and dropped his hands between his knees.
He’d spoken to William at the Nook, choosing his words carefully. He’d been almost afraid to look at him in case there was contempt in his eyes.
‘Congratulations,’ William had said, and when Leon had looked at him, he’d seen genuine pleasure.
‘You mean it?’
‘Sure. There’s no point in being any other way, is there? I hope you’ll be happy, Dad. Mum’s happy, and I want that for both of you.’
Leon looked up into the faces of his two younger children, perched side by side opposite him, their eyes full of questions. He knew it wouldn’t be so easy this time. He took a deep breath.
‘You’re right. I am going to marry Felicity, as soon as the divorce comes through. And yes, there is a reason for us getting married so quickly.’ He glanced at Kizzy. She’d guessed, but not Jamie. ‘Felicity and I … well, how do you fancy a little brother or sister?’
Kizzy clicked her tongue in disgust, then turned to her brother.
‘What he’s trying to tell you, cloth-head, is that Felicity is expecting a baby. Our half-brother or sister!’
‘What?’ Jamie wrinkled his nose. ‘You can’t! You’re too old! And anyway, you’ve got us. Why do you want another baby?’
‘Jamie, please …’ Leon reached out to his son, who glared at him. ‘Listen, you and William and Kizzy belong to me and Mum. The new baby will belong to Felicity and me. It’s all part of life …’
‘No, it isn’t!’ Jamie jumped to his feet. ‘It’s sick! Babies should be for young people like William and Lisa. Everyone will laugh at you – and me. My mates thought it was pretty cool when they saw you’d split up and were still friends – like at my birthday. I’d got used to that. And Felicity was nice to me. She talked to me like I was grown-up. I liked her – but I don’t now! I hate both of you!’
He rushed from the room, slamming the door.
‘Well done.’ Kizzy’s eyes were cold. ‘You handled that really well.’
‘What was I supposed to say?’ Leon gazed helplessly at his daughter. ‘He had to know. Shall I go after him?’
Kizzy shook her head. ‘No. Leave him. Have you told William?’
Leon nodded.
‘And I suppose he thought it was great? William would. Leave him to talk to Jamie, Dad. Whatever you say will only make matters worse.’
‘But suppose he takes it into his head to run away again?’
‘Highly unlikely.’ Kizzy studied the pattern on the carpet. ‘Jamie isn’t stupid. He’s come to terms with the fact that you’re no longer his superhero. The divorce was inevitable, but the baby …’ She paused. ‘That’s different.’
She looked at her father’s troubled eyes, and relented.
‘Oh, Dad, he’ll come round. He’ll probably forgive you as soon as you start advertising for staff at the Four Seasons. He’s dying to work there.’
‘Ouch!’ Leon gave a wan smile. ‘I don’t envy Andrew being your husband with remarks like that flying about. But what about you, Kizz? Are you angry with me?’
‘Not angry.’ Kizzy twisted a curl round her finger, the way she always had. ‘Shocked, I suppose. I feel a bit like Jamie. I mean – you’re nearly fifty! And you’re my dad … It just doesn’t seem right.’
‘Are you pleased for me?’
‘Pleased?’ Kizzy’s eyebrows rose. ‘Of course I’m not pleased. I think you’re mad! But it’s your life – yours and Felicity’s. If you want to breed a new generation of Brodies, then no one can stop you, but really, Dad, don’t expect the old Brodies to be delighted.’
Kizzy walked to the window and stared out across the sweep of the gardens. Her life had just settled down – and now there was this!
‘Kizzy.’ Her father placed his hands on her shoulders. ‘Please don’t fall out with me about this. I want you to meet Felicity. Your mother has, you know. She’s talked to her about the baby. If she can do it, surely you can?’
‘You expect too much!’ Kizzy flared. ‘Jamie’s right, Dad. People will snigger and point their fingers. This is a small place! Oh, I know it’ll all die down and be accepted in time, but you won’t get away with it that easily, and I don’t think you deserve to.’
‘Nor do I.’ Leon drew her towards him. ‘But I do love Felicity, Kizz, and I still love your mother – and you. Love isn’t diminished by being shared.’
She gave a snort of laughter and Leon saw genuine merriment in her eyes.
‘Now you sound like an ageing hippie! Spare me the sixties philosophy, Dad! And yes, I will meet her – but in my own time.’
Sighing with relief, he pulled his daughter’s head to his shoulder and stroked her hair. He hadn’t lost his eldest children over this – and he still hoped he wouldn’t lose Jamie.
Noticing Leon’s car in the drive, Steven drove past Honeysuckle House and parked his car in the road and sat for a moment.
Rosie hadn’t phoned to say the lunch date was off, so Leon must have arrived unexpectedly. He hoped there wasn’t going to be trouble over Rosie’s visit to Felicity’s flat.
He walked up the drive, skirting the builders’ vehicles and the two skips overflowing with debris. The front door was wide open, and Otis basked in the sunshine on the top step.
‘Where are they all, eh, boy?’ Steven fondled Otis’s floppy ears, then rang the doorbell.
Jamie jumped down the last three stairs into the hall. ‘Oh, good. Are you going back to the shop?’ he asked.
‘I wasn’t.’ Steven looked at this boy he’d become so close to. ‘But I can. Do you want a lift?’
‘Please.’ Jamie scuffed at the tiled floor with his trainers. ‘I would have been down sooner but Dad turned up …’
Steven nodded, but said nothing. Jamie had been crying, but he certainly wouldn’t thank him for noticing it.
‘Well, I’ve sorted the boxes out for you – there’s a full afternoon’s work there, and if you finish I’ll make it fifteen pounds each.’
‘Wow! Thanks!’ Delight spread across Jamie’s white face.
‘It’s not a bribe.�
�� Steven laughed. ‘It’ll be darned hard work, even with all of you helping. I really need all that stuff ready to put out tomorrow – this good weather has brought the tourists out, and they’re buying everything they can lay their hands on!’
‘Don’t know why people buy junk.’ Jamie grinned at him. ‘But I’m glad they do.’
‘So am I! Now, are Mum and Dad talking, or is she ready?’
‘Dad’s talking to Kizzy in the sitting room.’ Jamie’s expression was shuttered again. ‘Mum said she was ready, but she probably isn’t.’
‘Well, run and tell her I’m taking you back to the shop – that’ll give her time to finish her titivating.’
‘Right.’ His smile had returned.
The second time Steven parked the car outside the house, Rosie was waiting by the gate. Leon’s car was still in the drive.
‘You look wonderful.’ He opened the door for her. ‘It’s just as well that isn’t a dark dress – the cats have been sleeping in here all morning.’
‘I wouldn’t mind a few cat hairs.’ Rosie relaxed in her seat, allowing the warmth to surround her. ‘I’m not Felicity Phelps.’
Steven laughed. ‘Put your claws away, Mrs Brodie, and tell me what’s the matter with Jamie. I dropped him off at the shop. He was quite chatty, but there was something bothering him.’
‘Leon told him about the baby, and I gather he took it badly …’
‘Of course he did!’ Steven steered the car off the main road and on to one of the twisty single track lanes that led away from Highcliffe. ‘He’s fifteen, for heaven’s sake! Poor old Jamie – his world has been rocking a bit lately, hasn’t it?’
‘So has mine.’ Rosie turned her head to look at him.
Smiling, he reached down and lifted her hand, holding it beneath his own on the steering-wheel.
The Globe nestled in the middle of dense woodland, miles off the beaten track. It was set in a mossy clearing and surrounded by gorse and bracken and tall, fronding ferns. It had never been one of Leon’s haunts, being far too quiet, although Rosie had always longed to go.
‘This is wonderful.’ She scrambled from the car, feeling the turf spring beneath her feet. ‘You can’t hear anything! Just bees and birdsong! This is paradise.’
‘I can’t believe you’ve never been here.’ Steven caught hold of her hand as they walked towards the low, thatched pub.
‘It’s never been on Leon’s visiting list.’ She shrugged. ‘No doubt it’s been on yours, though.’
‘And what’s that supposed to mean?’ he asked with mock severity.
Rosie slid into one of the wooden benches against the Globe’s white-washed walls.
‘It means that as you’ve wined and dined every eligible lady in this county – and all the counties adjoining it – for as long as I can remember, this must have been on your circuit.’
‘You do me an injustice.’ He sat down opposite her, leaning across the wooden table. ‘When I discovered this place I knew it was special, and I knew that when I found a very special lady, I would bring her here. Sadly, I found my very special lady years ago – and I wasn’t able to bring her here until now, was I?’
The silence lengthened. The sun was warm. The air filled with a golden dreamy somnolence. Rosie reached across the table and entwined her fingers with his. His hands were slender and tanned, the hairs bleached white by the sun, a dusting of freckles across the knuckles.
Gently, he stroked her fingers, then caught her other hand and pulled her towards him across the table.
‘Rosie Brodie, I love you.’
He kissed her and she could smell the warm, clean scent of him, the perfume of sun on his skin. Then she was only aware of the warmth of his lips on hers and the sweet singing in her ears.
He kissed him back, not wanting to ever let him go; not wanting to relinquish this moment of pleasure, of heady discovery. She loved him …
Ages later, or perhaps even minutes, they parted and gazed wordlessly at each other. She had never said the words he wanted to hear, but he knew now. One day she would tell him, but now there was no need.
He stroked her hair, tucking a silky strand behind her ear.
‘For the umpteenth time I’ll say this Leon is a fool.’
Rosie shook her head. ‘No. This feeling that we have – this closeness – could never have happened with Leon and me. Oh, we loved each other, but never like this. Maybe this is what he’s found with Felicity. I hope so.’
‘You’re a remarkable woman.’ Steven smiled. ‘And I still think he’s a fool. Would you like a drink now?’
‘Please.’ She dropped her gaze shyly. It still seemed strange; this deep and powerful emotion was so new. ‘And if it doesn’t sound too unromantic, could I have something to eat, please? I missed breakfast.’
‘That’s right,’ Steven grumbled, sliding out from behind the bench. ‘Bring me back to reality with a thump! I thought love was supposed to suppress the appetite?’
‘It can’t be love, then, can it?’ Rosie teased him. ‘Because I’m starving!’
They ate outside in the drowsy sunlight, sharing a huge ploughman’s lunch, feeding the birds that hopped hopefully round their feet. They drank glasses of fruit juice, decorated with crushed ice and sprigs of mint.
They smiled at other couples who joined them in their paradise, but mostly they smiled at each other. The rest of the world and its problems were a million miles away.
‘I suppose,’ Steven said eventually, ‘that we’ll have to return to normality soon?’
‘Sadly, yes.’ Rosie shook the crumbs from her lap to a gaggle of excited sparrows. ‘But this will be one of my special memories. Something to be dusted off and brought out to warm bleaker days.’
Steven touched her cheek briefly, before ducking under the Globe’s low-beamed doorway to settle the bill. If he had his way, he thought, this would be the first of many visits here. And Rosie would have no more bleak days in her life, if he had the power to prevent it.
He waited for his change, leaning against the bar, and looked out to where Rosie sat in the sunlight. Her dress billowed around her, her hair gleamed, her eyes shone with an inner happiness that had been missing for so long.
He looked at her with love and pride, his feelings painful in their intensity.
‘Rosie Brodie, I adore you,’ he muttered. ‘I’ll love you for the rest of my life.’
As they drove off, he reached across to touch her arm. ‘Back home, or can I tempt you to a cup of tea at the shop first?’
‘Temptation wins hands down.’ Rosie laughed. ‘I don’t want to burst the bubble just yet.’
Again, the warm afternoon had brought the visitors out in force, and the white shingle lane in front of the shop was busy. Jamie, Simon, and Gary were happily wrapping things in sheets of distinctive blue-and-gold paper when Rosie and Steven eventually managed to force their way in.
‘We’ve sold tons!’ Jamie’s eyes were bright with enthusiasm. ‘We’ve even sold some of that new stuff – you know, the stuff I had to unpack and wash.’
‘But I hadn’t even priced it!’ Steven laughed.
‘No … well, I think I’ve got the hang of it. I guessed none of it could be really valuable, otherwise you wouldn’t have let us loose on it, so I just sold it for whatever I thought. I started at a really high price and then let them sort of bargain it downwards. Sometimes they gave me more than I was going to charge.’
‘Brilliant!’ Steven held out his hand. ‘Shake. Forget about working for your dad or playing football for England. Come and be my partner!’
Jamie grinned hugely as he and Steven shook hands, then he dived outside to chat to a middle-aged couple who were admiring teapots.
Steven opened the till and whistled. ‘Your son is a genius, Rosie. I’d just left the float in here – now look!’
The till was respectably full of notes and coins.
‘It’s worth a king’s ransom to see his face.’ She squeezed Steven’s arm. ‘
Look at him. He’s enjoying himself, and it shows.’
‘Like you?’
‘Like me,’ she agreed. ‘We Brodies are very transparent in our emotions, and you seem to fetch out the best in us. Now, I’ll go and put the kettle on and find your biggest teapot.’
‘Rosie?’
‘Yes?’ She paused on the stairs leading to the flat and looked over her shoulder.
‘Thanks for making today so special.’
‘You did that.’ Her eyes were steady, on a level with his. ‘You always make things special. Steven, I …’
He waited, holding her eyes, holding his breath.
‘I can’t … I can’t say it. Not yet.’
‘Your voice doesn’t have to. Your eyes just have,’ he said huskily, and she leaned down and kissed him.
‘When I’m free, I’ll tell you everything. Until then, where do you keep the tea-bags?’
Steven slid his arm round her waist. ‘I’d better come and show you. Things never have the same home two days running up here.’
They had tea and biscuits in the armchairs outside the shop. Jamie and his friends, watchful for potential customers, squatted beside them.
‘I don’t care about the stupid baby.’
Jamie looked up at Rosie. ‘I really don’t. Do you?’
‘Don’t be rude about the baby, Jamie. It’ll be your half-brother or sister – you’ll probably become very good friends.’
‘No!’ He shook his head vehemently. ‘Never!’
‘But you like Lewis, don’t you?’ Steven leaned towards them, balancing his mug of tea on the arm of the chair. ‘You’re always playing with him and you don’t mind being seen pushing his buggy.’
‘No, s’pose not.’ Jamie considered this. ‘If it’s a boy I could teach him to play football, couldn’t I? After all, Dad’s much too old.’
Rosie and Steven exchanged wry smiles.
‘And think of it another way,’ Steven persevered. ‘For the first time you’ll be somebody’s big brother.’
‘Oh yeah! William and Kizzy have always bossed me around – now it’ll be my turn!’
‘Well, maybe not bossing around so much,’ Steven put in quickly. ‘More guiding and teaching and explaining.’
Honeysuckle House Page 15