No Ordinary Love

by Anita Notaro

  I left as soon as lunch was over, to give them some time alone. Joan and Catherine had agreed to call to Ashford on their next visit, and I suspected there’d be a red carpet the length of the M11 motorway out for them on the day, if Dinny had his way. Just seeing them together helped my own grief and made me believe that happy endings weren’t just for the movies.

  40

  DRIVING HOME THAT EVENING, I FELT A BIT LOST, SO ON IMPULSE I phoned Mike, hoping to tempt him out my direction for a drink once I’d deposited Pete. His mobile was diverted to his office, it turned out, and his assistant said he was in London for two days and had meetings more or less back to back both days. Disappointed because I hadn’t talked to him for a while, I settled in to watch TV, but within a few minutes Pete started growling and I got nervous. It felt like it was happening more and more since I’d come back home, or maybe it was just that since Maddy’s death I seemed to scare easily. I grabbed a torch, and Pete and I headed up to see if Jack and Jill were home and thankfully they were, so we drank tea and played Scrabble.

  ‘Please, Lulu, don’t walk up in the dark. I keep telling you to ring, and one of us will meet you at the gate,’ Jack scolded.

  ‘Sorry, it’s just that I feel a bit stupid. I’ve been on my own almost since I could walk.’ I laughed. ‘So I should be well used to it and, normally, I don’t scare easily. And when I opened the door just now Pete simply wagged his tail and headed for your house, so there was clearly nothing to worry about. And I’m sorry for barging in unannounced again, I think I might have to get an alarm fitted, just for the security of having it.’

  ‘You’re welcome here any time, in fact we enjoy hearing about your escapades, don’t we, love?’

  ‘We do, barge in any time.’ Jill smiled, and I thanked them both for all their kindness. They’d become good friends and had taken to minding me like a child these past few weeks. Jack walked me home a couple of hours later, and I fell into bed and had one of the few uninterrupted nights’ sleep I’d managed since my world had turned upside down.

  I had a couple of new clients scheduled for the next day, and it was these that were keeping me going and helping to take my mind off things. It seemed that early spring brought lots of problem pets with it, either impulse Christmas purchases that weren’t as easy to put away as the noisy, repetitive games, or New Year resolutions that involved getting to grips with the monster before the gardening season kicked off in earnest. Happily, for me, it meant lots of busy mornings trying to train people while making them feel we were, in fact, training their pets.

  First thing after lunch I had another new client. This one appeared without a pet. All I knew was that she was called Katie Anderson, and Mary said she was English.

  ‘Hello, I’m Lulu.’ I smiled as I led her into my office, wondering what challenge this one would bring. Mary had enquired if she had a pet she wanted to bring along, but she’d been vague, so I’d no idea what to expect.

  ‘So, how can I help you?’ I opened a blank page in my notebook and waited.

  ‘I’m not sure, actually.’ She reminded me of someone, but I couldn’t put my finger on it. I sensed she was nervous.

  ‘Well, why don’t you tell me how you heard about my services?’ I thought that by encouraging her to chat I’d find out a bit more.

  ‘Well, I found your card in my mother’s car and I . . . eh . . . think that perhaps we might be . . . related.’ The last word sort of fell out, and I knew that whatever her problem was she hadn’t worked out what to say to me in advance.

  ‘Related – how?’ I smiled again, wondering what was coming.

  ‘I think we have the same mother,’ she said quietly, and my heart nearly stopped beating – just when I thought that nothing would surprise me where my mother was concerned.

  ‘Martha?’ I said quickly, prepared for anything.

  ‘No, Kitten.’ She looked puzzled. ‘Who’s Martha?’

  ‘Martha’s my mother – you’re Kitten’s daughter?’

  ‘Yes.’ She looked completely thrown. ‘I’ve obviously got it wrong, but how do you know my mother, if you don’t mind me asking?’

  ‘I met her only once . . . with a friend.’ I wasn’t sure what was going on, but I wanted to encourage her. I also knew I had to be careful not to betray any confidences. ‘Why don’t you tell me what’s on your mind, and if I can help in any way, I will?’

  ‘I think my mother had a baby she gave up for adoption years ago. In fact, I’m almost certain of it. I found stuff, hidden away – and overheard one or two things as well. She’s been very edgy these past few weeks, and then I found your card and I thought it must be you.’ She looked dejected. ‘Perhaps I should have checked a bit more before I came tearing over here, but I felt it was better to say what I had to say to your face. Besides, I was sure I was right and I guess I was curious to see what you looked like. But now that I see you’ – she shrugged – ‘you look nothing like me.’

  ‘And have you spoken to your mother about this?’ As I’d listened to her talking, I’d realized that it was Emily she’d reminded me of when she walked in. Their profiles were strikingly similar. This young woman had none of Emily’s normal reserve, however, so in terms of character they were poles apart. Although it was interesting that her instinct had been exactly the same as Emily’s when it came to finding a member of her family.

  ‘Yes. Well, sort of. What I mean is, I’ve tried. Several times. She denies it, of course. In fact, she refuses to discuss it. But from what I’ve been able to find out, she had a daughter in Ireland about thirty years ago, and when I found your card I checked your website and you looked about the right age, so I put two and two together and decided to hop on a cheap flight and come see you.’

  ‘I hope you don’t mind me asking, but why would your mother not talk to you about it? I can understand why she might have wanted to keep it secret in the first place, these things were much trickier back then. But if she suspected you knew . . . ?’ I let the rest of the sentence trail off, because even from one meeting I knew how big a deal it was for Kitten.

  ‘There are a million reasons, none of which paint my mother in a good light, I’m afraid. She was a spoilt only child, used to getting everything her own way. When she got pregnant, the man was married, as far as I know, and very well known in political circles. Having a baby simply didn’t fit in with her plans, I suspect. So she got rid of it and got on with her life, married a very rich man, had – has – pretty much a perfect life. My father dotes on her; everyone dotes on Kitten. She wants for nothing, moves in all the right circles, and now it’s too late. It wouldn’t fit her image at all, I’m sorry to say, if it got out that she’d had a baby by a married man and then abandoned it and never tried to find out what had happened to the child, even when she could well have afforded to at least look after her financially.’ She looked upset suddenly. ‘I should add that all of this is speculation on my part. My mother refuses to confirm anything. But I know enough to know that most, if not all, of it is accurate.’ She paused for a moment. ‘I was really hoping you could help me.’

  ‘Why are you so keen to find answers?’ I wondered. ‘Surely if your mother chooses not to disclose these things, it’s her right?’

  ‘Because I feel she owes it to me to at least tell me if I have a sister. I’ve wanted one all my life. My mother has four sons, and she idolizes them. Don’t get me wrong, she’s not a bad mother or anything, quite the opposite. I never wanted for anything. It’s just that she’s a man’s woman, always has been. Her father doted on her, still does, whereas her mother was ill a lot of the time when she was growing up and died when she was a teenager. So all her influences were male.’

  ‘I would have thought, though, that a daughter would have made her very happy under those circumstances?’

  ‘Not so, I’m afraid. And even though she’s a very girly woman – if you know what I mean – she’s drawn to men. It helps that she can wrap most of them around her little finger.’ Kati
e smiled. ‘Whereas me, I’m way too feisty for her. Also I can see through her: she can be quite manipulative. Men don’t seem to notice it, though.’

  In a funny way, her childhood reminded me of my own. Christ, I’m becoming paranoid, I decided, reading too much into every situation. However, one thing I was certain of was that I needed to think carefully about what I should do here. ‘Katie, could I ask how long you’re staying? It’s just that I need a bit of time to think about all you’ve said.’

  She looked at me for a moment. ‘And you’re definitely not my sister?’

  ‘No, I’m not.’ We both smiled together.

  ‘Shame, we’d have gotten on well. Anyway, I’m here until tomorrow evening. Does that give you enough time?’

  ‘Yes, more than enough. Would it be OK if I take your number and call you later?’

  ‘Sure.’ She called it out to me and I saved it in my mobile. We agreed to chat later and possibly meet the next morning.

  On the way out, I grinned at the angelic-looking family waiting.

  ‘When I see a group as perfect as you, I always think I’m just about to learn that there’s a dotey dog making life hell.’ I smiled at the kids. ‘Would I be right?’

  ‘Yes.’ The kids nodded, and one of them yanked out an adorable-looking King Charles spaniel from under the couch. He had the most mischievous eyes I’d seen in a while.

  ‘Her ate half my Lego pieces and chewed my sister’s new ballet shoes and bit Granny and did a poo under the Christmas tree,’ the younger one said without pausing for breath. ‘And that was all on Christmas morning.’

  ‘Well then, I think you’d better come inside. We may need to come up with a plan fast. What do you think?’ I opened the door to my office.

  The little girl looked as if she was about to burst. ‘Otherwise Dad says Coco will get a kick up the bum and then he’ll give her an injection himself to put her to sleep for ever and ever.’

  ‘Janie, I don’t think that’s quite what Dad said.’ A mortified mother tried to smile.

  ‘Oh yes it is,’ said the father. ‘And a bit more besides.’

  I led them in, delighted to have a nice normal problem for the next hour.

  41

  AN HOUR LATER, WE WERE ALL LAUGHING AS I SHOWED THEM OUT. We’d made progress, and my next meeting with them would be in their home. Mary was making the appointment when my phone rang, so I left them to it.

  ‘Well, what mischief have you been getting up to while I’ve been away?’ It was Mike. ‘My secretary said you rang, and you only ever call when you’re in trouble.’

  ‘No, actually, I’ve been a good girl, played Scrabble and drank tea. That’s about the height of my wild and crazy life.’ I laughed, then took a deep breath. ‘Actually, I rang to invite you over for dinner at the weekend. To say thanks for everything. I don’t know how I’d have survived the last few weeks without you.’

  ‘Hang on, could you repeat that please, so that I can record it and play it back at every opportunity?’

  ‘Very funny, I’d slap you if you weren’t out of reach,’ I told him. ‘So, can you come?’ Suddenly, I desperately wanted to get him alone.

  ‘Actually, I’ve a better idea. Why don’t you come to me? Louis has a week off, and he’s gone to Donegal to stay with friends and he’s taken Pedro with him and, believe it or not, I miss the old bugger – the dog that is, not Louis. Since your vet got hold of him he’s a different mutt altogether. How’re you fixed for Saturday?’

  ‘Sounds great.’ I was delighted. ‘Can I bring Pete?’

  ‘I assumed you would; you two are surgically attached. I’ll ring Clodagh, see if she’s free too. You could stay over if you like? If you’re very good, I’ll buy you both breakfast on Sunday.’

  ‘Eh, sounds good.’ My heart sank. So much for Connie’s instructions. ‘Clodagh might not be free, though,’ I told him. Not if I have anything to do with it anyway, I added silently.

  ‘Well, why don’t I ring her now and call you back?’

  ‘OK.’ I was already hitting speed dial on my mobile. Her number went straight to message. I sent a text asking her to call me before she spoke to Mike, but when she rang ten minutes later it was too late. He’d got her before my message came through, and she’d already accepted for Saturday.

  ‘Oh Lou, I’m sorry, I feel like such an idiot,’ she groaned. ‘Let me ring back and come up with an excuse. I’ll make it a good one.’

  ‘No, it’s OK,’ I insisted. ‘It was Connie’s idea really, and I was never fully convinced. Anyway, I’d love to see you, you know that. I’m just in a funny mood today.’

  ‘I know, I’m up and down like a yoyo myself. I saw Connie last night and she was a bit down. She misses Maddy so much.’

  ‘Me too,’ I told her.

  ‘Me three.’ She rattled off one of Maddy’s phrases, and I felt worse for having tried to exclude her from a nice weekend. ‘Fancy coming to stay on Friday, and we could catch a movie in Bray?’

  ‘I can’t. I’ve got clients over from London. Listen, are you sure you want me tagging along on Saturday? I can easily say the clients changed days at the last minute.’

  ‘No, you’re coming, and that’s that. He invited both of us. And do you know something? I’m not sure I’d be much good as a girlfriend at the moment anyway, even if he was interested, which he’s clearly not. I’m a bit of a wreck, and it’s been so long I’ve forgotten what it’s like.’

  ‘I could come over tonight?’ Clodagh suggested. ‘We could have a good oul moan?’

  ‘OK, you’re on.’

  ‘Great, I’ll be there about eight. I need to go to the gym first, I’m like a walrus at the moment. Will I pick up some food?’

  ‘Ring me as soon as you’re on the road, I’ll have had time to see what’s in the fridge by then,’ I told her. After we’d hung up, I went for a walk to think about how I was going to handle the Emily scenario.

  As soon as I had time to think logically about the situation I realized I was behaving like a counsellor, which I was not in this case. Emily had asked me to go with her to see Kitten simply as a friend. Then I argued with myself that she had paid me, but I reasoned that all she’d done really was cover my travel expenses. After an hour of going backwards and forwards and weighing it all up, I decided I had no responsibility to Kitten and that my loyalty was to Emily. I rang Katie and asked if she would like to meet someone at my office the following morning, provided I could set it up in time.

  ‘Yes, I’ll go anywhere, do anything you say if it helps me find out if I have a sister.’ She sounded like she was about to burst into tears.

  ‘OK, let me call you back.’ I hung up and dialled Emily. As the number rang, I wondered about the wisdom of telling her all this over the phone, so I ended up asking if she had any free time that afternoon.

  ‘Yes, I can come now, if that suits?’ she said immediately.

  ‘Fine, see you shortly.’ I dialled Katie back. ‘I need to talk to the other person face to face, I’ve decided,’ I told her. ‘I’m doing that this afternoon. I’ll call you and let you know how it goes.’

  ‘Fine, just one thing. Would it be OK if I came over and waited somewhere nearby? Just in case you need me?’

  I had my doubts. ‘I’d need your word that you would not . . . stake out my office, or approach anyone coming or going.’

  ‘You have it,’ she said simply, and for some reason I trusted her. ‘Is there a coffee shop nearby where I could wait? And if you don’t want me, I’ll take a cab back to my hotel, I promise. I won’t come anywhere near your office unless you tell me to.’

  ‘Fine.’ I gave her the name of a little place around the corner and told her to keep her phone on. I’d no idea how this was going to work.

  Emily arrived shortly afterwards.

  ‘So, what’s up?’ she asked as soon as she sat down. I filled her in as quickly as I could. At first, I thought she was upset, but then I realized it was as important for her as it appeared
to be for Katie.

  ‘But how did she find you?’ was her first question.

  ‘I left a business card on the seat of Kitten’s car as we were leaving. Remember I spoke to her for a few minutes at the end? It seems Katie has known for years – or at least had a very strong suspicion – that Kitten had had a child in Ireland, so when she found the card and her mother refused to talk about it, she memorized the website address and made contact with me. She thought I might be her sister.’

  ‘Wow,’ was all Emily said initially. Then her face broke into a huge grin. ‘I have a sister, it’s what I always wanted.’

  ‘That’s what she said,’ I told her.

  ‘Do we look alike? When can I meet her?’

  ‘Now, if you think you’re ready.’ I smiled. ‘She asked if she could stay nearby, in case you wanted to see her.’

  Emily burst into tears. ‘Of course I want to see her, where is she?’

  ‘I’ll call her.’ I dialled, and Katie answered on the first ring. ‘There’s a young lady here who’s as keen as you are,’ I told her. ‘Come on over.’

  I buzzed Mary and asked her to send Katie straight in as soon as she got here, and also to hold any calls. She would have done that anyway; it was simply a code we had for when I needed privacy with a client.

  The door opened very softly a minute or two later, and Katie poked her head around the door, looking every bit as apprehensive as the girl standing beside me.

  ‘Come in,’ I said. ‘Katie, meet Emily. Emily, this is Katie. I think you two have a lot to talk about.’

  ‘Hello.’ Katie made the first move, and I was immediately struck by how alike they were, even with different fathers. Seeing them together left me in no doubt that they were related. ‘I think we might be sisters,’ she said simply, before they grabbed each other and both of them burst into tears.

  42

  ‘MAYBE I SHOULD LEAVE YOU TWO TO TALK?’ I SUGGESTED. ‘I’LL BE outside if—’

  ‘No,’ they both said together.