by Karen King
Meanwhile, her mum had seemed to come alive. Sally was usually an upbeat person anyway, but Meg realised – although she hadn’t consciously noticed before – that her mother hadn’t been herself for a while. Now, though, she had a glow about her. This time in Cornwall was like a bit of ‘time out’ for them both, to allow their broken hearts to heal, to realise that a life without Oliver – and Dad – was possible, and to give them time to sort out what they wanted to do next. Her mum seemed to embrace that, while Meg was still mourning her lost marriage.
She turned over and snuggled into the pillow, her eyes closing wearily in sleep.
* * *
She was woken early the next morning by a phone call from a very angry Dan.
Meg rubbed her eyes and blinked at the digital clock on her bedside table – eight thirty! What was Dan doing phoning her so early?
‘Meg, you need to do something to get Mum and Dad back together before it’s too late,’ he blasted down the phone as soon as she answered his call.
‘Look, Dan—’ she started to say but her brother cut in.
‘I’ve just been speaking to Dad, to ask him if he wanted to stay overnight with us on Christmas Eve then spend Christmas Day with us – I’m in work that morning so could pick him up on the way home – and do you know what he said?’ Dan gabbled the words out without even pausing for breath.
Meg sighed. She was guessing Dad had said he didn’t want to go to Dan’s for Christmas dinner. Dad could be stubborn. Maybe he wanted to spend Christmas by himself to make Mum feel guilty. She should have phoned Dad more, she chided herself; it must be hard for him to have Mum leave him after all these years. It was so difficult being stuck in the middle of them both. ‘I’m guessing that he doesn’t want to come? I’ll give him a call in a little while and see if I can talk him around. He must be missing Mum.’
‘He doesn’t want to come because he’s having Christmas dinner with that woman next door.’ Dan could barely contain his fury.
What? Meg sat up and pressed the phone closer to her ear. ‘Paula? Are you sure?’
‘Of course I’m bloody sure. Dad’s just told me. Full of it, he is. I don’t know what the hell has got into Mum and Dad lately. They should be settling down to retirement together not splitting up and having affairs.’
‘Mum’s not having an affair!’ Meg retorted, jumping to her mum’s defence. ‘And Dad isn’t either. I’m sure he isn’t. It’s Christmas, Dan, people do invite other people for dinner at Christmas, especially if they’re on their own.’
Dan snorted. ‘Well, Dad isn’t on his own, he’s got us. You need to tell Mum to stop messing about and come home before she loses Dad for good.’
After the phone call had ended, with Meg trying to calm Dan down, reminding him it was only a meal, and promising to talk to Mum, Meg pondered over the conversation. She had to admit that she was seriously worried herself. Mum had mentioned that Paula and Dad were quite friendly, often having a chat over the garden fence. Had Dad decided to go to Paula’s for dinner to shake Mum up a bit? Make her realise that if she didn’t want him, someone else might? But from what her mum had been saying yesterday, maybe she wasn’t bothered.
She heard Sally moving about and knew that she’d be knocking on her door soon with a cup of tea. She had to tell her. If there was any chance of her parents getting back together, this might be it.
Sure enough, a few minutes later there was knock on the door. ‘Morning, love, I’ve brought you a cuppa.’
‘Thanks, Mum. Come in.’
She turned to the door as her mum entered, clad in her fluffy white dressing gown, carrying a mug of tea. ‘Well, you look like you’ve been awake for a while,’ she remarked as she put the mug down on the bedside table. ‘Didn’t you sleep well?’
‘Dan woke me. He’s just called.’
‘Still mad about having his Christmas plans messed up, is he? Well, it won’t hurt him and Katya to cook Christmas dinner for once, and it will be nice for your dad to get out of the house.’ Sally sat down on the side of Meg’s bed. ‘I’ll call Dan a bit later, promise to go and see them in the new year.’
Meg took a breath. ‘He’s mad because Dad isn’t going to spend Christmas with him and Katya. He’s…’ She faltered, wondering how much this would hurt her mum.
Sally’s eyes narrowed. ‘He’s what?’
Meg took the plunge. ‘He’s spending it with Paula next door.’
Sally sprang up and paced around the room. ‘Well, it didn’t take her long to get her claws in, did it?’
‘I expect she’s only being kind, doesn’t want to see Dad on his own.’
‘He wouldn’t be on his own, he’d be with his son and family,’ Sally pointed out. She twisted a lock of her hair around her finger. ‘I knew Paula would be there, waiting to pounce.’
‘Do you want to go back home? Spend Christmas with Dad? I don’t mind.’
Sally shook her head. ‘No, I don’t. If he wants Paula, he’s welcome to her. I didn’t expect him to replace me so quickly, that’s all.’ She nodded to Meg. ‘I’ll leave you to your tea. I’m going to have a shower.’
Mum had been shocked and upset, Meg could see that. Splitting up was so messy. Her thoughts drifted to Oliver. How quickly would he find someone to replace Meg? Someone who wanted an uncomplicated life without children.
The thought of Oliver with someone else pierced her heart. She couldn’t bear to think of another woman lying in his arms, of his lips on hers, of him making up songs for her. Would they be happy songs, she wondered, instead of the sad, melancholy ballads he usually wrote? Did he write those ballads because deep down he was unhappy with Meg? The final lines of his new song ran through her mind again. How did they go? Something about mountains and raging seas. And then… Sometimes love isn’t enough.
Had he known that their love wasn’t enough for her? Because she was the one who had split them up, wasn’t she?
Yes, because he lied to me, deceived me, probably ruined my chance of ever having a family, she reminded herself.
Even so, she had walked out, just like Mum had walked out on Dad, so they didn’t have a right to complain if Dad or Oliver took up with someone else, did they?
If you’re over, you’re over. You both have to move on.
26
Sally
Ted and Paula sharing Christmas dinner. The words kept going through Sally’s mind. She’d expected Ted to spend Christmas Day with his family – Dan, Katya and Tom – not the woman next door.
What had Sally expected when she’d walked out? That Ted would be so heartbroken he’d promise to change? Even if he did, he would still be the same person and there would still be no chemistry between them.
It had been her choice to end the marriage, but maybe Ted had been as unhappy as she was but was prepared to soldier on rather than split up their family and home. A home they would presumably have to sell if she went ahead with the divorce. How far would this friendship with Paula go? Would they become a couple? Would Paula move into the house that had been Sally’s home? she wondered. Or Ted move in with Paula? Or would they both sell up and buy a new home together?
She was getting ahead of herself now. Paula was just being neighbourly and inviting Ted to Christmas dinner. Except she knew Ted: he wasn’t the sort of man who liked being on his own. And Paula clearly didn’t like being on her own either. She’d often said she was lost since her husband had died. No one to look after or care for. Paula was one of those women who liked a man to fuss over. And Ted liked to be fussed over. Sally didn’t want to fuss over a man.
But did she really want to lose Ted forever?
She sat down on the bench, gazing out at the sea, remembering those early years when she and Ted had strolled along, hand in hand, so in love. How had it all gone so wrong?
It was almost forty years ago. You outgrew each other, she reminded herself. You were different people back then.
‘Hello, Sally, you look deep in thought.’
Sally turned at the sound of Rose’s voice.
‘Mind if I sit beside you and take a breather?’ Rose asked, sitting down before Sally could answer.
‘Of course not.’ Sally gave her a wan smile. ‘I was remembering me and Ted walking along the beach on our honeymoon. We were so happy then. We had some good times down here.’
‘Are you missing him, love?’ Rose asked gently. ‘Is it too late to patch things up?’
Yes, she was missing him. Ted had been a part of her life for so long. He was like an old familiar coat that was faded and worn but you kept because of the memories it held. Did she want to patch it up?
‘I don’t know,’ she said slowly and then found herself telling Rose all about Paula. ‘Ted said if I’m not back by Christmas, we’re over. And I think Paula will seize on that. I feel like she’ll be in with Ted before the new year.’
‘Well, if he replaces you that quickly, love, maybe he’s as bored with your marriage as you are,’ Rose pointed out. She paused for a moment then added, ‘The question is, does that bother you? If it does, then surely that means you still have feelings for him and maybe you don’t want to split after all.’
That was exactly what Sally was asking herself.
‘Look, it’s none of my business I know, but you’ve had a long marriage. If there’s any chance you can save it, that you want to save it, then surely you should look into it. Maybe you could invite your husband to spend Christmas with you down here? You’ll be in a different environment, one with happy memories for you both. You might rekindle your love.’
Maybe Rose was right. Surely she owed their marriage one last attempt? She didn’t want to go back home, but if Ted agreed to come down here for Christmas, maybe it’d show her things could change.
‘I think I will ask him. Thank you for listening to me going on about my problems.’
‘You’re more than welcome. And if it doesn’t work out, then I’d be delighted if you and Meg joined me and my lot for Christmas dinner.’
‘That’s really kind of you, but we wouldn’t want to put you to any trouble.’
‘It’ll be no trouble at all. The turkey’s big enough. Rory, Leo and Sam will be there, and my parents. Jenny and Grant, my daughter and son-in-law, are going to Grant’s parents for lunch; they came to us last year. Just let me know by Wednesday morning, if you can, so I can make sure I have enough fresh veg.’
‘I will, thank you.’ Sally had to admit that she much preferred the idea of spending Christmas dinner with Rose and her family than a sulky Ted. Maybe he won’t be sulky, she told herself. Give him a chance. Maybe staying at Smuggler’s Haunt again would remind him of the love they’d once had, just like it had her.
‘Great, now if we don’t bump into each other before, I’ll see you at the grand “switching on the lights” ceremony on Christmas Eve? It begins at six.’
‘I’ll be there,’ Sally told her. ‘Thank you again, Rose.’
* * *
Sally was deep in thought as she walked back to the cottage. How would Meg feel about Ted joining them for Christmas dinner? She and Meg had grown so close over the last few days and had planned on spending a ‘singles’ Christmas together, and now she was possibly changing it. Although, she was sure that Meg would want her parents to save their marriage if they could.
The question was, could they?
27
Oliver
Oliver read the email again. When Frank, one of his old clients, had initially asked him if he was interested in the position of head gardener at Meadow Manor in Cheshire, which included a good wage and working hours, and a two-bedroom cottage, rent-free, Oliver had been flattered but had dismissed it. There had been Meg’s work to think about, and their party business, although to be honest it had been tempting – not only would they have been better off financially, they would have had more time to spend together.
Hugh, the owner of Meadow Manor, had then written to him personally, though, asking him to think about it. Hugh was Frank’s brother, and he had been so impressed with Frank’s recommendation of Oliver, he had promised that the job was Oliver’s if he wanted it. Oliver had agreed to think about it over Christmas and give his decision in the new year. He’d been planning on talking to Meg about it although he was sure she wouldn’t want to move so far away from her parents. Now, though, it seemed like maybe it could be a good idea. A new start, somewhere to live. Somewhere hundreds of miles from Meg, where he wouldn’t risk bumping into her. He missed her so much. The only way he could get over her was to not be near her.
A little squeak at his feet made him look down at the white bundle of fur. ‘You miss her too, don’t you, Hardy?’ He picked up the cuddly rabbit. ‘Well, don’t worry, you’ll be back with her soon.’
He loved the two bunnies and would miss them, but it was kinder to let Meg have them. They had always been her pets more than his.
He stood up and walked over to the window, looking out at the little pots of plants Meg had planted. They’d be in bloom again in a couple of months. The Buddha bench they’d bought from the local garden centre, the two cherubs hugging each other in the centre of the rockery, the bird bath. Meg loved buying statues and plants to pretty up the garden.
He needed to move away, make a fresh start, forget all about Meg and the fact she didn’t love him enough to stay with him just because he didn’t want kids. She was enough for him; why couldn’t he be enough for her?
Before he could have second thoughts, he shot off a message to Hugh saying he was happy to accept the position and asked when he could start. A quarter of an hour later he got a reply saying whenever was best for him. The earliest he could start work was 2 January, but if he wanted to move earlier, have a look around and settle down in the cottage before he started work, he could. Hugh attached a map of the location. Oliver replied that he’d be there on 27 December. He didn’t see the point of hanging around here any longer. He might as well go, then Meg could move back home. They’d sort out the finances later.
So that was it. He had a new home, new job, new life all sorted out. He just had to get through Christmas.
Word had spread that Meg had left him, and their friends Alex and Natasha had invited him over there for Christmas dinner, but he didn’t want to play gooseberry to a happy couple; that would make him feel worse, especially a happy couple who were soon to be parents. They were bound to ask him why he and Meg had split up, and he didn’t need three guesses to know whose side they would be on.
He could just stay here, have a solo Christmas drinking and binge-watching TV.
That, he decided, was the most appealing option. He would forget about Christmas – it was one day – and just cook himself a pizza, open a couple of cans, and wait for the day to be over. Then he could start his new life.
28
Sally
I’d better phone Ted right away, Sally thought. I’ll need to get something in for Christmas dinner if he does agree to come down. She went into her bedroom and selected his number on her phone.
‘Hello, Sal.’ Ted sounded cagey as he answered the phone.
‘Hello, Ted. How are you?’
‘Fine. Just fine. How about you? Have you decided to come home?’ She could hear the hope in his voice.
‘No, but I was wondering… Why don’t you come down here for Christmas, Ted? I’ll cook us a dinner and we can talk about things. It might do us good to be out of our home setting, especially here, a place that holds such special memories for us.’
There was a long silence. Was he thinking about it? And was that someone talking in the background or the radio?
‘You’ve got a nerve, Sal. First you walk out over nothing, then you keep me hanging on all week not knowing if you’re coming back or not!’ Ted shouted down the phone. ‘Now you expect me to drive down there for Christmas Day because you’ve suddenly decided you want to talk. Well, I’ve been down there once and I’m not coming down again.’
She winced and put the phone
away from her ear as Ted’s voice got louder and louder.
‘If you want to talk about things, you can come home. But if you’re not back by Christmas Eve, I’m going to Paula’s for Christmas dinner and that’s that.’
Sally pricked up her ears, sure that she heard someone mumble again in the background. ‘Is Dan there?’ she asked.
There was a long pause. ‘Paula’s popped in for a cuppa. She worries about me being on my own.’
Paula? In her kitchen? Sally fought down the flood of fury. The cheek of the woman: she’d only been gone a week and here Paula was, sitting in her kitchen, fussing over Ted. ‘I see. Well, that didn’t take you long, did it? No wonder you always wanted me to go away alone!’
‘Now don’t you go accusing me of things…’
‘Personally, Ted, I don’t give a damn if you prefer to spend Christmas with Paula. I hope you both have a lovely time. I certainly will,’ she said icily, finishing the call.
She tapped the phone on her chin, trying to calm down and make sense of her feelings. She didn’t want Ted back but it galled her that Paula was all over him. Was she already making a move or just being neighbourly? And what about Ted, was he interested in Paula or was he deliberately encouraging her in the hope that it could make Sally jealous enough to come home?