Family Connections

by Family Connections (retail) (epub)

  It was wonderful seeing her father as a boy and Gina lingered over those photos in particular, her fingers tracing his beloved features. ‘We grew very close after Mum died, and my husband was killed.’

  ‘I could scan these into my computer for you,’ Jake offered. ‘Then you’d have your own copies.’

  ‘Would you do that?’

  ‘Of course. You’re family. You have a right to them.’

  Those words made Gina feel as if her cup was overflowing with joy. Family. Other generations. Passing down the family lore through the photos. So much that she’d never had before.

  Even for those who knew about their families, the distance from Australia made it hard to keep in touch properly. For her it had been a tunnel without any light at the far end.

  * * *

  As Jane drove to the Wellness Centre that evening, she realized she was being followed again by the white car. It was unmistakable with that battered front wing. This time she could see the number plate quite clearly, so repeated it to herself several times. When she turned into the centre, the other car drove past.

  After she’d parked she went back to the car park entrance and looked up and down the street. The white car wasn’t anywhere in sight. Perhaps it hadn’t been following her. Perhaps it was just a coincidence and it was someone who lived in the area who had been going in the same direction as her twice. Still, you couldn’t be too careful, so she wrote the car number down on a scrap of paper and shoved it into her handbag.

  A taxi drew up as she was about to go into the centre and when she saw Peggy get out, she stopped to wait.

  ‘My brother usually brings me.’ Peggy looked round as if she was worried her husband might be lurking nearby. ‘But he’s had to go and see our aunt in Blackpool.’

  ‘I can give you a lift home afterwards, if you like.’

  ‘I don’t want to be a nuisance. I can get a taxi.’

  ‘It’s no trouble. Honestly. Come on, we don’t want to be late.’

  * * *

  When they were driving away from the centre after the class, the white car fell in behind them.

  ‘Have a quick look behind, will you?’ Jane asked. ‘Do you recognize that car.’

  Peggy did as she asked and let out a muffled shriek. ‘It’s my husband! What am I going to do if Jake’s not home yet?’

  ‘If he’s not there, I’ll take you home with me and you can ring your brother later to fetch you.’

  ‘Thank you. You must think I’m very silly, but—’

  ‘I don’t think you’re silly at all. Don’t forget that I’ve met your husband. He seems – unbalanced.’ Full of suppressed violence, actually, but she wasn’t going to say that. The thought that he was the one following them made her shiver.

  But when they got to Jake’s house, there were lights on inside and his car was parked in the drive so she stopped. The other car overtook them, slowing down so that the driver was right next to them. The look the driver gave them made her shiver again.

  Peggy whimpered at the sight of her husband’s glaring face, separated from her only by the car windows, and didn’t move until he’d driven away.

  Jane looked sideways. ‘Has he always been so full of anger?’

  ‘No. But he’s never been easy to live with.’

  Jane waited until the other woman had gone into the house then drove home.

  She half-expected the car to appear behind her again. It didn’t, but the damage was done and she kept looking in her mirror, her heart pounding if she saw a white car coming up behind her, even if it was the wrong make.

  When she got home, Stu was sitting in front of the TV and the kids were upstairs in their rooms. She hesitated, then called them all together to tell them what she suspected.

  ‘You must be mistaken,’ Stu said at once.

  ‘I saw that car when it followed you home before, Mum,’ Casey said. ‘I’ve got its number.’ He pounded up the stairs and was down again brandishing a scrap of paper.

  They compared numbers.

  ‘It’s the same,’ Jane said with a shudder. ‘I’m going to call in at the police station tomorrow and ask their advice.’

  Rosie came to sit on her chair arm. ‘Be careful, Mum.’

  Casey came to sit on the other arm. ‘If that man hurts you, I’m going after him.’

  Jane looked across the room. Stu had a worried expression on his face, but he hadn’t come to touch her and offer comfort. In fact, it was as if the three of them were the family and he was the stranger.

  How long had this been going on? She needed to have another talk with him. About their marriage this time.

  Or would that be the straw that broke the camel’s back for him?

  CHAPTER 33

  Australia

  In Australia, Lou picked up the message from Gramps when she got back from a couple of nights away with Rick. She’d left meals and snacks prepared for Mel and a neighbour had picked up Emma from school, then Lexie had come over after work each day to look after her sister.

  Lou and Rick had had a glorious couple of days ‘down south’ in the wine country. As Mel was getting better, he’d insisted they leave their mobile phones behind so that they could have a relaxed time. Lou had missed having one, though, and pounced on hers as soon as she got in, waving one hand to stop little Emma interrupting as she listened to her voicemail messages. When she’d finished, she looked at the clock. ‘Just got time to ring Gramps.’

  When she got through to him, he was not only still up but was bubbling with excitement about meeting his sister.

  ‘There. I knew you’d like her. How did Auntie Peggy take to her?’

  ‘She’s not met her yet, but I’m sure they’ll get on all right.’

  ‘This is me you’re talking to, Gramps, and we both know Auntie Peggy doesn’t take a breath unless Uncle Hartley approves.’

  ‘Well, Peggy’s left Hartley and she’s talking about getting a divorce. Yes, you may well gasp but I’m glad. He’s been bullying her for years.’

  ‘He’ll nag her into going back to him.’

  ‘She’s living with me for the time being and she’s taken out an injunction against him to keep him away, so he’ll not be able to get at her.’

  There was dead silence then Lou said, ‘Maybe there’s hope for her then. Anyway, give Auntie Gina my love and tell her Mel is feeling a lot better as long as she keeps resting. Oh, and Gramps, I nearly forgot to tell you…’

  ‘Yes, love.’

  ‘Me and Rick just got engaged.’

  Another silence, then, ‘You’re a bit young for that, aren’t you?’

  ‘That’s what everyone says, but I don’t agree. When you meet the right person, it doesn’t matter if you’re eighteen or eighty. You’ll see. Me and Rick are good for the long haul. But we won’t be getting married for ages yet, only when we’re ready to settle down properly and start a family.’

  ‘Well, I hope you’ll both be very happy. He’s a nice lad.’

  ‘Mum and Dad don’t think so.’

  ‘It’s you not them who’ll be marrying him, is it?’

  When Lou put the phone down, she went to pass on the news to the others.

  ‘Mum’s actually met some relatives?’ Mel asked. ‘Why didn’t she ring us herself?’

  ‘She’s probably busy with this new guy she’s met.’

  Lou chuckled at the scowl on Mel’s face. She hoped Auntie Gina had met someone nice and was madly in love. In a day or two she’d ring Gramps again and ask what the new friend was like.

  CHAPTER 34

  England

  The following day Brad found Gina inattentive and fidgety, unable to settle to anything, so since it was sunny, he took her for a tram ride along the seafront in the morning.

  ‘Nervous about meeting your sister?’

  ‘I’ve met her already, sort of, but if looks could kill…’ She grimaced. ‘Yes, I am a bit nervous. But Jake will be there and I do like him.’

  ‘Shall I dr
ive you over to Poulton to see him?’

  ‘I can’t keep using you as a taxi. No, I’ll drive myself.’

  ‘I’d rather you weren’t on your own.’

  ‘I’d feel guilty if you were sitting outside in the car and it’d hamper me. I don’t know how long I’ll be.’

  ‘I’ve got a good book.’

  ‘Why do you want to come, Brad?’

  ‘In case this Peggy upsets you again.’

  Gina smiled then, the best smile she’d given him all day. ‘You’re very kind but I’ve got Jake on my side this time.’

  ‘Well, how about because I love you? Is that a better excuse?’

  ‘I love you, too, but I’m still going on my own.’

  If they weren’t in such a public spot he’d kiss her till she melted against him like butter. He stirred uncomfortably as his body responded to the thought of making love to her.

  Back at the flat he watched her get ready and waved her off with a smile glued to his face. But it faded the minute she’d left because he was worried about her. He didn’t know why, he just was. It was one of his hunches and he’d learned not to ignore them. They only happened with people he cared about. But she’d probably have thought him crazy if he’d told her.

  He paced up and down the flat, three steps in one direction, two and a half and bump into the table in the other direction. After a while he made a cup of coffee but even as he took his first sip, the feeling returned more strongly.

  Maybe nothing was wrong, maybe he’d look like an idiot… But he just couldn’t sit at home with this feeling of apprehension churning around in his belly. He had to make sure Gina was all right.

  * * *

  Jake let Peggy take over the food preparation for the lunch with their sister. If it’d been up to him, it’d have been a much simpler affair: cheese and ham, crusty bread and a few bits of salad from his own garden, followed by a bought cake. For all her annoyance that he’d invited Gina to lunch, Peggy insisted on making a quiche and a chocolate cake, as well as a salad, and they looked good too. His mouth was watering long before their visitor was due.

  She also fussed about the table, setting the one in the dining room that he hardly ever used, ironing the tablecloth and getting out the best crockery.

  ‘Gina’s coming to meet you, not judge a catering contest,’ he grumbled, then relented and added, ‘You’ve got it looking nice, though, really nice.’

  ‘Hartley’s always been fussy about how his meals are presented. He’d not have approved of paper serviettes.’ She flicked a scornful finger towards them. ‘Are you sure you haven’t got any real ones?’

  ‘Certain. And that’s the umpteenth time you’ve mentioned Hartley this morning. It’s as if you keep thinking about him. Is there something you’re not telling me?’

  She hesitated then confessed, ‘Cheryl rang yesterday. She said her father had been on the phone to her and he’d been crying.’

  ‘Now that I find hard to believe.’

  ‘Me too. But if he was crying… it must mean he cares about me… mustn’t it?’

  Jake looked at her in alarm. ‘You’re surely not thinking of going back to him?’

  ‘N-no. At least, I don’t think so.’

  Bugger being tactful, he thought. ‘If you do, I’ll wash my hands of you!’

  She stared at him, looking so distressed he didn’t know what to say or do next. He was relieved when the phone rang and he could go into the kitchen and answer it.

  ‘Hello?’

  ‘Hartley here. I wonder if you could spare me an hour. I need to talk to you about Peggy.’

  ‘Sorry. I’m busy today.’

  ‘If you won’t come to me, I’ll come to you and to hell with that injunction. I mean it. This has gone on for long enough. I want my wife back.’

  ‘I’ve nothing to say to you. You’ve treated my sister shamefully over the years and I’m glad she’s left you.’

  ‘I’m coming round, then. She has to listen to me. I know I can make her see sense.’

  ‘You’re not allowed to come near her.’

  Deep breathing at the other end, then Hartley spoke in jerky words, as if dealing with an idiot. ‘How – can we – sort this out – if I can’t speak to her?’

  Jake saw Peggy standing in the kitchen doorway, listening. ‘Just a minute.’ He covered the phone with one hand and explained what Hartley wanted.

  She stared at him for a minute as if he’d been speaking a foreign language.

  ‘Peggy? Don’t get upset, love. I won’t let him near you.’

  ‘It’s not that. It’s what Cheryl said, he’s upset. If he really is sorry… Oh, I don’t know what to do, whether to believe him or not. Couldn’t you go and see him for me, find out if he’s genuinely sorry, if he’ll see a counsellor and get help?’

  ‘A leopard doesn’t change its spots. And anyway, let me remind you that we have a guest coming in a few minutes. I’m not abandoning her to jump to Hartley’s tune.’

  ‘You only need to be out for half an hour. I can look after her till you get back.’

  ‘You didn’t even want to speak to her yesterday.’ The phone squawked and he uncovered it to snap, ‘Will you wait your bloody turn! I’m speaking to Peggy.’ He looked questioningly back at his sister.

  ‘I need to know about Hartley. After what Cheryl said – I need to know if he’s really sincere, regrets what he’s done… Please, Jake, go and see him for me.’

  ‘You’re sure?’

  She nodded. ‘I can’t just throw away all those years of marriage without making absolutely sure it’s the right thing to do.’

  He shook his head but didn’t refuse. He was quite certain Hartley hadn’t changed and never would, but it was her life. ‘All right.’

  ‘If you think there’s a chance, maybe he’ll agree to seeing me with Gillah present?’

  Jake nodded and uncovered the phone again. ‘I’ll meet you at the Fountain Shopping Centre, Hartley. In the centre, near the fountain. How soon can you be there? All right. In fifteen minutes’ time?’

  He put the phone down and picked up his car keys. ‘You’ll be kind to Gina? Promise me. She was upset last time.’

  ‘I know. I heard her sobbing as she ran down the path. I won’t hurt her again.’

  She watched him go, adjusted the one of the knives on the table because it wasn’t quite straight then went to sit in the front room to wait for their visitor. It had been much easier to get things ready without Hartley peering over her shoulder, criticizing.

  Did she really want to go back to him?

  Could he change his ways?

  She wished… oh, she didn’t know what she wished. She felt all adrift.

  * * *

  Gina drove to Poulton, amazed as always by the number of cars on the road in England, not only those driving around but those parked along the edges of every street. Her thoughts kept turning to the coming meeting. Surely, now that Jake and Aunt Bridie had accepted her, Peggy would give her a chance too?

  She got stuck in a one-way system and had to stop and consult her satnav, which kept telling her to go down a street that didn’t exist. She took a guess and was relieved when the satnav took over again, directing her to Jake’s street. As she parked the car outside the house, she stopped to take a deep breath. She was feeling more than a little nervous about meeting her sister. It was so important to her.

  A sister. Just imagine having a sister!

  * * *

  Peggy only had to wait a few minutes before she heard a car draw up outside. She went to peep out of the window and saw Gina getting out of it, looking apprehensive. Oh dear, she didn’t want this meeting, it felt like such a betrayal of her mother, but she’d promised Jake to treat their visitor kindly and she never broke her promises.

  She watched Gina pause by the gate, square her shoulders and take a deep breath. Trying to smile, she went to open the front door. ‘Hello.’

  ‘Hi, Peggy.’

  ‘Jake’s been
called out but he’ll be back soon. Won’t you come in? Would you like a cup of tea while we’re waiting for him?’

  Gina followed her into the hall. ‘I’d love one.’

  ‘We’ll go into the kitchen while I make it. Do sit down.’ Peggy hesitated, then explained, ‘It was very important or Jake wouldn’t have gone out. He’s seeing my husband. I’ve left Hartley and taken an injunction out to stop him coming near me, but he says he wants us to get back together. Only I’m not sure. So Jake’s gone to talk to him, see if he’s really changed.’

  ‘It must be very difficult for you.’

  Peggy nodded then jumped up to pour the boiling water into the teapot and rinse it out. ‘I love my cups of tea. They’re my big weakness and I’m a bit fussy about making them properly.’

  ‘Me, too. I’ve got several sorts of tea at home, for different times of day.’

  Peggy looked at her in mild surprise. ‘What’s your favourite?’

  ‘Ceylon Breakfast Tea. Though I usually drink it at lunch time.’

  ‘It’s mine too. But my husband says he can’t taste the difference. He likes his tea really strong. And Jake doesn’t care which sort he has, either, as long as it’s got sugar in it.’ Grimacing at the thought, she got two china mugs out. ‘This is a difficult situation, isn’t it? You and me, I mean.’

  ‘Yes. I only found out after my – I mean, our father died that I had family in England.’

  ‘You don’t have any brothers or sisters in Australia?’

  ‘No, but I always wished I did. I longed to have relatives like other girls. When they talked about their grandmas or cousins, I felt so left out because I had no one, not one single relative.’

  Peggy tried to imagine being totally without relatives, but couldn’t. In spite of her determination to keep the other woman at arm’s length a certain sympathy crept into her thoughts.

  Gina beamed at her. ‘And now I not only have you and Jake, but Aunt Bridie too. I’m so lucky to have found her before it was too late. Isn’t she wonderful for her age? So lively and interested in the world.’