Echoes of Grace

by Caragh Bell

  Gloria jumped sky high and yelped. ‘James!’ she chided. ‘You frightened me.’

  ‘Do you need any help?’

  ‘No, darling, I’ve just unpacked my last box of canapés.’ She shoved the packaging into the recycling bin. ‘There! We’re ready.’

  On the countertop were plates of various snacks such as sausage rolls, mini-hamburgers, duck wontons, mini-quiches, bruschetta and goats’-cheese filo parcels.

  ‘You outdid yourself,’ said James smiling. ‘You must have been up all night preparing this feast.’

  ‘Don’t be cheeky!’ His mother regarded him thoughtfully. ‘You look nice today, darling,’ she said, straightening his collar. ‘Navy is your colour.’

  James shrugged. ‘I just threw this on. It’s the only decent shirt I own.’ He ambled over to the table and took an apple from the bowl in the centre. ‘Claire will call over later.’

  ‘I didn’t like to pry . . .’

  ‘She has to meet friends for drinks.’ His face tightened. ‘I’m sure she’ll turn up at some stage.’

  ‘Everything okay?’

  ‘Fine.’

  William pushed open the door with his foot and barged into the room, a large case of wine in his arms. ‘I think I’ve broken my back,’ he said through gritted teeth, laying the box gently down on the table. ‘Please tell me that’s all.’

  Gloria peered in at the contents. ‘Looks like the red, Will. There’s a case of white and champagne too.’

  ‘Up you get, Jiminy. The boxes are in the garage. Many hands make light work.’

  Henry ambled into the kitchen with his glasses perched on his nose. ‘Did anyone see the charger for my laptop?’ he asked, scratching his head. ‘I’m getting quite forgetful in my old age.’

  ‘Try next to our bed,’ said Gloria briskly. ‘Then get dressed, my darling. Gordon and Helena are due any minute.’

  Henry disappeared again, mumbling under his breath. He was in the middle of a new play and when he was working nothing else mattered. Gloria was a patient woman but Aurora didn’t know that it had taken hours of nagging for him to erect the bunting that morning. She would often wake up to find the other side of the bed empty and the light on in his study. Inspired by the refugee crisis dominating the news each day, he had started to pen a two-act play on their plight. Hence, lots of research and debate. There were mumblings in the House of Lords that Britain might leave the European Union. Nothing seemed stable any more and he had become obsessed.

  Gloria frowned. James also played on her mind. She was convinced that this proposal was a knee-jerk reaction to living in extreme circumstances: an attempt to grasp normality in a chaotic world. What better than marriage? An ancient custom that had shaped society for eons. She could see that he liked this girl but she suspected that he liked the idea of stability more.

  Laura and Aurora arrived into the kitchen, both stumbling slightly in their heels. The Prosecco had gone to their heads. Laura had opted for her usual attire: a short dress and Louboutins. Her blonde bob was sleek and her eyes were painted various shades of brown.

  ‘Grab a drink, girls, and let’s retire to the lounge,’ said Gloria.

  Laura poured a glass of white wine and handed it to Aurora. Then she filled a glass for herself and they followed Gloria.

  ‘Oh, the place looks wonderful,’ gasped Aurora in delight.

  The dining-room table was covered with a vermillion cloth that flowed elegantly to the ground. The surface was cluttered with silver plates filled with various nibbles and a large cake stood on a stand in the middle. It was a chocolate sponge: Aurora’s favourite. William and James had successfully stacked the sideboard with bottles of red wine and had struggled to shove as many bottles of white into the already packed fridge. The bunting Henry had pinned up earlier gave colour to the walls and soft music played in the background.

  Gloria focused in on her stepdaughter. ‘Oh, you look nice, darling. Very pretty.’

  ‘Laura did my make-up.’

  ‘Beautiful.’ Gloria stared at her for a moment, a faraway look on her face. Aurora’s uncanny resemblance to Grace knocked her for six regularly and tonight was no different. Sometimes, she wished Grace was alive as her death had been so needless and tragic. She felt no jealousy whatsoever when she thought of her dead predecessor – quite the contrary in fact. She lamented the loss and made it her business to fill the void as best she could.

  ‘James is outside on the phone to the missus,’ whispered William conspiratorially. ‘Trouble in paradise.’

  Aurora raised an eyebrow. ‘Really?’

  ‘Oh, he was giving her hell for trying to stop him from coming here tonight.’ He paused. ‘It’s not very often that Jiminy gets mad, right, Laura?’

  Aurora felt her throat constrict. Claire didn’t want him to come to her party? What was that all about? He was her brother, her best friend. Why would she deny him a night with his family?

  ‘I reckon she’s an able lady,’ reflected Laura, sipping her wine. ‘I’ve only met her once, but I get the impression that she’s a tough cookie.’

  William laughed. ‘Like you should talk. Blimey, you’re pretty “able” yourself, Lolly.’

  Aurora zoned out and headed towards the garden. She didn’t want James to be upset over her birthday. Of course, it was hurtful to think that Claire had tried to prevent him from attending. They had barely seen him all week. The only quality time she had spent with him was when they played their annual chess tournament on Christmas Eve.

  He was sitting on a bench under the willow tree with a sombre expression when she appeared.

  ‘James,’ she said in her clear voice.

  He looked up and, for a moment, she couldn’t read his expression. Blushing, she pulled down the hem of her dress and hung her head to hide her embarrassment.

  ‘Did Laura give you a makeover?’ he asked, a slow smile forming on his lips. ‘You certainly look different.’

  ‘Good different or bad different?’

  He said nothing for a moment. ‘I’m not sure.’ He turned away and kicked a pebble with his shoe. His phone lay discarded on the grass.

  Aurora took a seat on the bench beside him and nudged him playfully. ‘Thanks for coming tonight.’

  ‘William told you about Claire,’ he said matter-of-factly.

  ‘Well, yes.’ She reddened slightly. ‘All I wanted to say was that you are free to go now. I don’t mind at all.’ She bit her lip, waiting for his response.

  ‘You don’t mind, Borealis?’ He put on an insulted face. ‘Wow, thanks a lot.’

  ‘No, no, I mean, of course I mind. It’s just I want you to be happy, that’s all.’

  He tapped his foot for a moment and remained silent. She could hear sirens in the distance, wailing incessantly. The noise polluted the night air and got louder and louder.

  ‘That sound reminds me of Aleppo,’ he said softly. ‘All you hear are sirens, explosions, gunshots and screams.’ He hung his head. ‘We’re pulling out of there in a few weeks. We’re coming home.’

  Aurora started. ‘You’re coming back to England?’ Her heart soared. ‘Oh, James, that’s wonderful news!’ Her face shone in the twilight.

  He shrugged. ‘Claire wants to get back into the NHS as she wants to be eligible for maternity leave when the time comes.’

  ‘Maternity leave?’ she repeated stupidly.

  ‘Well, yes.’ He gave her a sideways glance. ‘I’m an old-timer now, Borealis. I have to start thinking about kids and things.’

  She felt her skin grow cold. James actually saying it made it all too real.

  ‘I’ll apply for work at the Beeb,’ he continued, seemingly oblivious to her shock. ‘I mean, I gave them six years of my life, spending months on a clifftop waiting for a bird to appear.’

  She nodded numbly. Of course the BBC would want him. He was so talented. He would probably have to travel but at least he would be based in London.

  Based in London.

  Living in
his two-up two-down house with his wife and children.

  James: the married man.

  She closed her eyes. He was slipping away from her. The irony was that geographically he would be close, but so far away in other ways. If Claire was that possessive now, what would she be like after the wedding?

  ‘Borealis?’ he whispered softly.

  She came back to earth and found him looking at her in the dusky light. Her brown eyes locked with his and, for a moment, she felt like everything made sense. Nothing could harm her when he was close. She savoured the moment.

  ‘Aurora?’ he said more loudly.

  She jumped. He rarely called her by her real name.

  ‘Earth to Aurora!’

  ‘Sorry, I was just thinking about my new play,’ she lied.

  He understood immediately. She was always apprehensive before her début as a new character. He barely knew what this play was about as communication between them had been slack for months now. It was so different to her first performance in Georgia as he had been based in London at the time. On her opening night, he had been seated in the front row, clapping like a mad man, overtly demonstrating his support. Now, he barely knew the title.

  ‘When’s opening night?’ he asked gently.

  ‘A few weeks.’ She put her head in her hands. ‘I’m so nervous, James. It’s always the same before the first performance. Everything depends on opening night. Then, if it’s a success, I forget all about the nerves.’

  ‘If? It will be a success,’ he said. ‘With you as leading lady, how could it fail?’

  ‘Oh, it could most certainly fail,’ she argued. ‘Critics are fickle. Sure, they loved me as Clara-Mae but maybe this time they’ll turn against me.’

  He shook his head. ‘Not a chance. You’re the ultimate professional. I’m quite sure that it will be a huge success.’

  ‘Will you be back in time to see it?’ She tried to sound cool.

  He shook his head. ‘Probably not for opening night, I’m afraid.’

  She masked her disappointment. ‘Just let me know if you need tickets. I can get you and Claire complimentary seats up the front.’

  ‘Oh, you can.’ He grinned. ‘Well, I’ll certainly let you know.’

  ‘Justin is so nervous too, although he hides it quite well.’ Her director’s face flashed through her mind.

  ‘How is my favourite guy?’ James made a face.

  ‘He’s very well actually.’ She gave him a look. ‘I don’t know why you don’t like him. He’s so good to me.’

  ‘He’s good to you? Well, we all know why.’

  ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘Oh wake up, Borealis. He’s been trying to get you into bed for years. Anyone can see it. Although, how anyone could fit in a bed with him and his ego is beyond me.’

  ‘James!’ She raised herself up on the bench. ‘You’re totally out of order! He likes me for my talent, not for any other reason.’

  ‘I don’t disagree that he thinks you’re talented. He also fancies you though. A blind man could see it.’ He regarded her thoughtfully. ‘Given your reaction, maybe you fancy him too?’

  ‘He’s handsome and talented, of course I fancy him.’ She shrugged. ‘What girl wouldn’t? However, I’m not foolish enough to think that I can mess around with him without consequences. If I have to choose between a tryst with Justin Debussy and my career, then the latter will always win.’

  ‘Thank God for that.’ James nudged her playfully. ‘I wouldn’t approve if you brought him home for Gloria’s Sunday pot roast from the slow cooker.’

  ‘Oh please!’ She threw her eyes to heaven. ‘You never approve of my boyfriends. Remember how vile you were to Tristan, the French exchange student?’

  James guffawed loudly. ‘Visage Poisson! How could I forget?’

  ‘You see? Calling him Fish Face was so mean.’

  ‘He looked like a fish,’ protested James. ‘A monkfish or something equally as hideous. Visage Poisson was a justified title.’

  ‘And poor Graham . . .’

  ‘That chess geek? With the acne and the glasses? I mean, he was punching far above his weight.’

  ‘He was very nice. He knew more about Harry Potter than anyone.’ She smiled at the memory. ‘He taught me how to play chess like a master. He knew every strategy in the book.’

  ‘Hence your annual victory.’ He smiled.

  ‘I know that you let me win.’ Her cheeks grew red. ‘I know you do, so don’t deny it.’

  ‘Me?’ He put on an innocent face. ‘How could you say that?’

  The branches of the willow moved gently in the breeze, the leaves trailing on the ground gracefully. There were shouts from inside, signalling the arrival of guests. Aurora stole a glance at James whose face had resumed its sombre look. Whatever had happened earlier with Claire had clearly upset him.

  ‘You and Claire will be fine, you know,’ she said softly. ‘Remember when Henry and Gloria were newly married? They fought constantly over silly things.’ She grasped his hand in hers. It felt cool to the touch. ‘Arguing is normal, James. I’m sure it will be all forgotten tomorrow.’

  ‘Well, aren’t you a real Dr. Phil?’ he quipped. ‘Relationship advice from a girl so young.’

  ‘Hey! I’m not that young.’

  ‘You’re young enough.’ He reached out and brushed a tendril of hair off her cheek. ‘I remember you running along that beach in Cornwall, your hair blowing in the wind. It’s hard to think that you’re turning twenty-three tonight.’

  She said nothing. Their eyes locked again and for a moment they didn’t speak.

  Pulling herself together, she plastered a smile on her face. ‘Come inside,’ she said, getting to her feet. ‘Laura is probably on her third glass of wine by now.’

  ‘I’ll follow you in.’ He pulled out his phone. ‘I just have to make a call.’

  Laura sipped her wine and watched her mother air-kiss her friends from the bridge club. Henry was laughing loudly at something Gordon had said. Marcella’s brother hadn’t changed a bit. He was still as jolly as ever. Helena, his reserved wife, sat regally on an armchair, sipping her sherry demurely. She had aged over the years and weight loss had rendered her face even more lined than before.

  ‘Would you like a refill?’ William appeared with a bottle of Chablis.

  Laura nodded and held out her glass. ‘Might as well get tanked up, yeah? I can’t see this little soirée getting too wild.’

  ‘You probably need some down-time after your dramatic week of revelations.’ He took a seat beside her at the dining-room table. ‘I was thinking, does this make you Lydia’s mother-in-law?’

  ‘Good Lord, I’m not married.’ Laura took a gulp of wine. ‘And even if I were, I would never assume a maternal role. Do you know me at all?’

  William held up his hands. ‘I was joking, Lolly. Calm down.’

  She scowled. ‘Why is life so complicated? This whole situation is quite simple to me. Christian is locked in an unhappy marriage, Christian gets divorced, Christian is happy again with me. Why all the objections?’

  ‘Well, Christian has a son and a granddaughter. Plus, an estranged wife. He’s not a free agent, Laura. You can’t simplify this, little sis.’ He rubbed her arm. ‘I’m sure it will all work out. Just have faith.’ He flicked his blond hair out of his eyes and pointed discreetly at a tall pale girl in the corner of the sitting room. Her hair was scraped back into a bun and her teeth protruded noticeably. ‘Is that Marjorie King?’ he whispered.

  Laura nodded. ‘Who else could it be, Will? I mean, she hasn’t changed at all.’

  He stared at her in wonder. ‘Why didn’t she ever get braces? Her parents neglected her.’

  Laura giggled. ‘She’s reading English at Oxford now. Turned out to be a right brainbox.’ She paused. ‘You’re so bloody critical. I mean, you’re no Adonis yourself.’

  ‘I’m not that bad,’ he argued. ‘If I suck in my breath really hard I have a two-pack.’

 
Laura laughed. ‘By the way, I got a Facebook message from Ella Taylor last week. We haven’t been in touch since she left for Canada.’

  William’s head swung around. ‘Ella from years ago? Your friend?’

  ‘Yeah. She found me through a mutual friend and sent me a request. I accepted, of course. I mean, we were very close back in the day.’

  ‘Where is she based?’

  ‘Well, she has some big job in Toronto: an advertising executive or something like that. She said in her message that she got a promotion and that she’s moving to London for a few months. She wants to meet up.’

  William peeled the label off his beer bottle with an impassive face. ‘Soon?’

  ‘Oh, in a couple of weeks. I suggested lunch in town.’ She sighed. ‘Life is funny sometimes, isn’t it? I mean, we were best friends. We were together every single day. I smoked my first cigarette with her on the basketball courts at school. Then, her dad gets a big promotion and that’s it.’ She placed her glass carefully on the table. ‘That was a long time ago. 2005, 2004, maybe?’

  ‘2003,’ said William without hesitation.

  ‘Oh, right.’ Laura shrugged. ‘Before Facebook anyway. I can’t believe it’s taken so long for us to connect.’

  ‘Let me know when you’re meeting her,’ said William casually. ‘I might tag along.’

  ‘Of course.’ Laura masked her surprise. ‘If you like.’ She tapped the screen of her phone and accessed Ella’s profile. ‘Look at her! I think she hasn’t changed a bit.’

  William took the iPhone and focused in on Ella Taylor’s profile picture. Her blonde hair was shoulder-length and slightly wavy, her pretty face was smiling and her skin was tanned. She looked like she was on holiday somewhere. He gazed at her face. Laura was right: she looked the same. Just an adult version.

  ‘Let me know when you’re meeting her,’ he repeated, giving her back the phone.

  ‘I said so, didn’t I?’ Laura gave him a look. ‘It’ll be a couple of weeks.’

  Aurora appeared with Ophelia in tow. ‘Has everyone got a drink?’ she asked.

  Laura held up her glass. ‘Will just replenished my glass. Any sign of lover boy?’

  ‘Who?’

  ‘Justin.’