The Gift of Friends

by Emma Hannigan

  She knew some people saw the award as a Godsend and envied her, but the money could never undo the damage or give back what had been robbed from Drew. When she’d first moved here, she’d been wary of everyone because she felt they would judge her for using the money to buy a beautiful house, but then she slowly realised that Betsy, Nancy and Maia weren’t the judgey types. They all had colourful pasts of their own, and they accepted her without reserve. Their friendship had been her anchor for the past sixteen years. She would have crumbled without them. They never demanded to know what was going on behind closed doors, but she knew they were there if she ever did want to talk.

  Since the day Drew came into the world, Seth had been moving further and further away from her. She honestly believed he would dump Drew in a care home without a backwards glance. When he looked at his son, he just saw an embarrassment, a shameful failure that branded him less than a man. Drew challenged his whole sense of self, which was built on him being army, being tough. There was no way Pearl could love anyone who didn’t love Drew, so it was an impossible situation. The only saving grace was that Seth spent large stretches of time on duty, otherwise Pearl would have really lost her mind by now.

  The house had been her idea, and Seth had been very happy to go along with it. She knew that she and Drew would be spending much of their time at home, so she wanted him to have space to roam and lovely surroundings and a quieter environment than the town and its traffic. The estate agent had shown her lots of places, but the day he walked her down Kingfisher Road was the first time she’d felt she found home. She’d looked at number two and couldn’t believe someone was willing to leave it. It was perfect. The long, beautifully landscaped garden, the large, spacious rooms and the calm, tranquil surroundings. She would have paid any price to get it for Drew. And she was right, because he loved it here.

  She forced herself to refocus on the ceremony. It only brought her down to think over her life like this. A movement caught her eye and she glanced down at the mews. Two faces were in the window, framed by the wooden sash. Tommy and Drew. She smiled and winked at them. Tommy would keep Drew safe and happy until the party started. He was the other rock in her life, along with her friends.

  ‘You may kiss your beautiful wife.’

  The place erupted in clapping as Leo bent to kiss Lily-Rose lovingly. Pearl felt an ache in her throat and swallowed it down. It would all be okay. Lily-Rose would have a good life. Leo was a truly lovely man and they’d make it through, Pearl was sure of it.

  The guests began to leave their seats and mingle, so Pearl took the opportunity to nip down the mews building to check on Drew. When she opened the door and stepped inside, he charged at her and enveloped her in a hug. She laughed and kissed him.

  ‘Did you enjoy that?’ she asked.

  ‘I love Lily-Rose,’ he said.

  Tommy smiled at her. ‘He was so good. I told Drew we had to be quiet like mice and he didn’t say a word during the whole ceremony. He just watched quietly. I’m so proud of him,’ Tommy said, ruffling his hair. ‘He has earned his piece of wedding cake for sure.’

  ‘Cake!’ Drew roared. Alongside Ben 10, it was his favourite thing in the world.

  ‘Don’t worry about him at all,’ Tommy said quietly to Pearl. ‘He really is on his best behaviour today, and I won’t leave him for a second. You just concentrate on enjoying it.’

  ‘Thank you so much,’ Pearl said. She glanced outside. ‘I suppose I better get back to it. I’ll sit with you two at the meal, though.’

  ‘Sure,’ said Tommy. ‘I’ll see how he’s doing by then. If I feel he’s getting tired or a bit overloaded, I’ll take our plates back here and let him eat in peace.’

  ‘Okay,’ Pearl said. ‘We need to be careful. Seth’s a bit on edge about everything being perfect.’

  Tommy shot her a look. ‘Drew is always perfect.’

  Pearl smiled at him. ‘See you in a bit,’ she said.

  Tommy had been assigned to them when Drew was five. By then, Drew was ready to start school and they were advised that he would need constant help to attain any level of decent education in a mainstream school.

  ‘But it’s best to keep him there for as long as possible. It’s better for his development if he interacts with other children,’ his team at the children’s hospital had agreed. ‘We have found an SNA for you as requested. You said you wanted a special needs assistant who would also live in, that’s correct, right?’

  ‘Yes,’ she said, feeling sick to her stomach. But she’d been told it was the best route to follow because Drew would become more and more difficult to handle and she’d need a man to help. With Seth being away so often, they decided it was the best plan.

  ‘Tommy has extensive training and fifteen years’ experience with special needs children and he will be your home help. But if he and Drew don’t click or if he doesn’t fit in with your family, that’s no problem. Let us know and we’ll find a replacement.’

  Mercifully, Drew took to Tommy instantly. He wasn’t a tactile child. The only other person he’d hugged without being asked to was Pearl. Otherwise he shook hands. Pearl was a stickler for manners and despite her son’s limitations she insisted he maintain some sort of politeness. So he automatically shook hands with everyone. The moment he was introduced to Tommy, however, he spontaneously hugged him.

  ‘Don’t be scared, Tommy. I’ll be your friend,’ Drew said.

  Tommy was a Cork man, one of those fit yet strong looking types who looked like he belonged in the countryside rather than on Kingfisher Road. With brown wiry hair and bright blue eyes, he had a ruddy complexion with a warm smile. It became apparent after a few days that he had an engaging personality and that Drew adored him.

  There were two spare rooms in the main house, but Seth ordered the conversion of the mews to the rear of the house. ‘I won’t have another man in my house,’ he’d insisted.

  The mews was made of sandstone and was actually a beautiful building. Pearl went to town on doing it up. She asked Tommy’s opinion before ordering things and together they created a welcoming and comfortable home. With a fully fitted kitchen-cum-living room complete with a washing machine and dryer, large bathroom and two double bedrooms, it was spacious and modern and Tommy loved it. The little yard to the rear was secluded from the main house so they decked it and put in a table and chairs and a sofa, where Tommy loved to read. It was a sun trap, so Tommy was able to take advantage of any of the rare Irish sunrays.

  The three of them had fallen into a routine and once Drew was settled at school, Pearl felt she had a piece of her life back once more. Ever since he was born, she’d had Drew clinging to her like a koala. Now, though, having a second person to share the minding and to talk things over about Drew’s development was absolutely incredible. Pearl couldn’t believe the difference it made, to have another adult there who cared as much as she did. Between them, they ensured that Drew was well supported and loved beyond measure. Pearl gave up thanks every day that they had been sent Tommy. She knew Drew wouldn’t have come so far without Tommy’s input.

  Pearl rejoined the guests, greeting and shaking hands and thanking people for coming. But all the while she was just trying to get to the little huddle seated together near the archway.

  ‘Here’s the hostess with the mostess,’ Nancy said as Pearl finally flopped into a chair beside them. ‘What a day, Pearl. It’s just so beautiful.’

  ‘I nearly cried when I walked in,’ Betsy said. ‘It made me think of our wedding day, and I wished I could do it all over again.’

  ‘I’d marry you again in a heartbeat,’ Noel said, gazing at her adoringly.

  ‘You two,’ Maia said, swatting at them with her hand. ‘Sent here to make the rest of us feel like we have crap marriages!’

  Pearl felt her face blush and laughed to cover it. She’d often envied Betsy and Noel. She had no idea how they still loved each other so much.

  ‘Oh Maia,’ Betsy said, in the voice she reserved for wheneve
r Maia said something wicked, which was a regular occurrence. ‘You’ve all got wonderful men, too. But now, I’ve got some really exciting news to share with you.’

  ‘Is it the identity of the new neighbour?’ Nancy said eagerly. ‘I noticed the For Sale sign had been taken down.’

  ‘Oh no, not that,’ Betsy said. ‘I’m afraid I’ve no information on that just yet. It has been sold, but the only thing I could find out was that it was meant to go to auction but an offer was made two days before the auction that, apparently, could hardly be understood, let alone resisted. So the buyers got in and swooped it off the market for God knows what price.’

  ‘Wow,’ Maia said, ‘they must have offered a king’s ransom. These places aren’t cheap even at the going rate. And number ten is one of the best houses on the street.’

  ‘Can’t wait to clap eyes on them,’ Nancy said. ‘We could have royalty moving in for all we know.’

  ‘Probably some horrible vulture fund accountant,’ Noel said. ‘He’ll wear pinstripe shirts with white cuffs and collars and we’ll all hate him.’

  Maia burst out laughing. ‘Yeah, bet you’re right, Noel. Whoever it is will be wealthy enough to be a right pain.’

  ‘So what was your other news?’ Pearl asked, curious about Betsy’s announcement.

  ‘Oh yes,’ Betsy said, her eyes glowing. ‘We are having some visitors to stay for a couple of weeks. Graham is coming home!’

  There was a discernible lack of enthusiastic response, so Pearl jumped in and said, ‘That’s so wonderful for you two. How long has it been since you’ve seen him?’

  ‘Almost three years, since the wedding,’ Betsy said, feeling emotional now at the idea of it. ‘I know he was a handful, but I’m hoping the years away have matured him. We do miss him.’ She took Noel’s hand and he nodded. ‘And there’s something else,’ Betsy said. ‘He’s bringing our grandson.’

  The women looked at her in shock.

  ‘What grandson?’ Maia said. ‘You’ve never mentioned this before.’

  ‘We didn’t know,’ Betsy said. ‘He rang to ask about visiting and then dropped the bombshell that we have a grandson called Arnie who’s four months old.’

  ‘My God,’ Maia said and her mouth dropped open. ‘The little bugger didn’t tell you his wife was pregnant and had given birth!’

  ‘Now, Maia,’ Noel said gently, ‘you’ll give poor Betsy a turn if you call him names. I know it’s a bit unorthodox, but we’ve come to terms with it now and we can’t wait to meet him.’

  ‘Congratulations,’ Pearl said.

  ‘Yes, congratulations,’ Nancy said, reaching over to squeeze Betsy’s arm. ‘That’s a blessing. I’m delighted for the two of you.’

  ‘I’m in shock, I can’t lie,’ Maia said, ‘but I’m also thrilled. You two will be the best grandparents who ever lived. You were made for this. Arnie is one lucky baby.’

  ‘Thank you,’ Betsy said graciously. ‘It is a bit mad, but then, life with Graham was never dull. Hopefully being a father has mellowed him out.’

  ‘Well, I’ve a little bit of news too,’ Maia said. ‘Save-the-date kind of news.’

  ‘Oh, what’s happening?’ Pearl asked. ‘Has today made you want to renew your vows?’ she teased.

  ‘Not quite,’ Maia said, ‘but you’re on the right track. Myself and Freddie are going to be twenty years’ married this anniversary, so I’ve decided to mark it and the kids’ great results by throwing a party. So keep the first of December free in your diaries. And Pearl, please make yourself available for event consultation.’

  Pearl laughed. ‘I told you. Never again!’

  ‘Well I want all your suppliers’ details,’ Maia said. ‘I don’t think we’ll get the right weather in December, but I’ll definitely get a marquee and I want it to look this good.’

  ‘We’ll all pitch in,’ Nancy said.

  ‘Of course,’ Betsy said. ‘It’s a lovely idea to mark the new phase in the twins’ lives. Good on you.’

  Maia struggled to keep her smile in place, and she felt Betsy could see that. Time was flying by too quickly now. The twins would be gone before she knew it.

  ‘Right,’ Maia said, jumping up. ‘Champers all round, I think. I’ll mug someone with a tray.’

  ‘Did you enjoy the day?’ Pearl asked as she took off her makeup at her dressing table that night. There were still a few guests partying outside, but Pearl was too exhausted to stay up another minute. All she wanted was to be curled up and asleep. She was utterly exhausted.

  ‘Yes,’ Seth said. ‘I particularly enjoyed escorting young Lily-Rose to her fiancé. It was a wonderful honour to walk her down the aisle. She’s a fine young lady and I have to take my hat off to your sister when I say she’s done a superb job of raising her.’

  ‘That she has,’ said Pearl, swallowing the moment of madness where she wanted to blurt out that it was mostly down to her that Lily-Rose and her brothers had turned out the way they had. Much as her sister Barbara had earned money to support her kids, she was never actually there.

  Pearl had stopped wasting her breath by saying she had money there and would gladly give it to Barb so she could cut her hours and spend more time with her daughter and two sons. But no! She chose that blasted shop over her own kids. Just as she’d done so many times before, Pearl managed to work herself into a state of boiling anger when she thought of Barbara. She was her only sister and although she was only three years younger than Pearl, she acted about twenty at times.

  She’d done nothing to help prepare for today and as usual she’d drunk too much and had to be put to bed by her sons. It made Pearl so cross that she couldn’t put her kids first and attempt to behave in a more responsible manner.

  ‘The boys were well turned out,’ Seth continued, clearly oblivious to Pearl’s emotions. ‘I’m glad I polished their shoes. You wouldn’t know about doing that properly,’ he said in a sneering tone. ‘But suffice to say that the shoddy attempt you’d made would’ve annoyed me all day.’

  ‘Well, isn’t it great that you sorted it then,’ said Pearl through gritted teeth.

  She walked to the en-suite and closed the door. She wanted to thump the wall. She’d organised every single thing for the wedding with Lily-Rose. She was the one who’d tested menus, researched florists, makeup people, the hairdresser, you name it and she’d done it. But all Seth could do was pick on the fact that she hadn’t polished two lazy grown-up men’s shoes. She should know better than to expect anything nice or kind from Seth. All he did was put her down and why should today be any different? He was the only person who hadn’t commented on how she looked. Her outfit had worked out so well, and she’d felt gorgeous in it. It was a green satin calf-length dress in fifties style, cinched in at her waist and then falling gently around her. She’d teamed it with high-heeled court shoes in a beautiful shade of yellow. It was a bit of a statement, but it had worked. Everyone had told her she looked fantastic. Seth hadn’t said a single word.

  She took a deep breath to calm herself. There was absolutely no point obsessing over this stuff. She redirected her thoughts to Drew, thinking about how well he had managed the whole day as she carefully hung up her dress in its garment cover. Pearl was immensely proud of him. Oftentimes, he struggled dreadfully with people he didn’t know. But perhaps it was the fact that it was Lily-Rose’s wedding, and she was the closest thing to a sister he had, and also that it was in his own garden, a space where he was very comfortable. Whatever it was, he had done them proud.

  ‘Didn’t Drew do well today?’ she called out to Seth, who was flicking through the Sky channels, looking for some war documentary no doubt.

  ‘Uh-huh.’

  ‘Did you see the lovely framed photo Lily-Rose presented me with?’ He had found a documentary on gun cleaning. She stood there for a moment, to see if he’d answer. After a pause he did.

  ‘Nope,’ he said sighing loudly, making it clear he had no interest either.

  ‘What did you get? Did you
open your gift? It was nice of Lily-Rose to present them to us during her speech, wasn’t it? I certainly wasn’t expecting it, were you?’

  ‘No, it was very good of her for sure. She gave me an antique medal holder. I can put one of my own ones in at some point. She’s a great girl the way she thinks of things that I’ll like.’

  Pearl looked at her husband and told herself that no matter how horrible he was to her, he couldn’t take away the happiness she’d felt seeing her niece marry the man she loved. She would take that away as her memory of the day and leave the rest behind, with all the other things she hated to remember.

  She climbed into bed and lay down with her back to Seth, assuming he was going to watch the rest of the documentary. Good, she thought as relief flooded her. She just wanted to drift away into her dreams. But her relief didn’t last long as he spoke a few moments later.

  ‘Are you asleep?’

  Pearl stared at the wall, blinking into the darkness. He didn’t whisper nor was his voice loving.

  ‘Pearl,’ he said loudly. ‘I’m speaking to you. I said, are you asleep?’

  She shuddered. If she had been asleep, she certainly wouldn’t be still.

  ‘No, I’m not asleep. But I’m exhausted.’

  He put his hand on her back. That was his indication that he wanted her. She’d never enjoyed sex with Seth. Just like everything else, it was on his terms. He had no consideration for her and he was about as tender as a sledgehammer.