A Summer of Secrets

by Lorna Peel

  “Sophia, wait.”

  “What?”

  Michelle shrugged. “I don’t hate you. I just…I just don’t know how I’m ever going to get my head around all this; how I’m ever going to explain it to Cathy; how I’m going to face people…”

  “Mummy?” Cathy called and jumped as her voice echoed around the hall. “I can’t reach the chain.”

  “I’ll lift you up,” Michelle replied and they went back across the hall to the toilet. “Pull hard. Good.”

  “Wow.” Cathy ran into the middle of the floor. “Are you really going to live here, Sophia?”

  “Yes. With Thomas.”

  “You’re still getting married?”

  “Yes, why?”

  “I thought something had happened; that you weren’t anymore.”

  “Something has happened,” Michelle told her. “We found out that Thomas and Stephanie are my brother and sister and Peter’s brother and sister.”

  Cathy stared at her mother then at Sophia and then back at Michelle again. “How?”

  “Stephanie and then Thomas were born before Peter and me.”

  “And you didn’t know?”

  “No. It was before Granny Danielle married Grandad Don so it was a bit of a surprise. That’s why we’re all here so we can talk about it.”

  “But Thomas is a lord?”

  “That’s right. But he’s your uncle, too, now.”

  They returned to the kitchen and Cathy went straight to Thomas and tapped his arm. “Are you my uncle now? I thought you were a lord?”

  He crouched down. “I am, but I’m your uncle now, too. You don’t have to call me Uncle Thomas if you don’t want to. Do you want to be called Aunt Stephanie?” he called across the room to her.

  “Stephanie is just fine.”

  “Oh, good.” Cathy smiled. “Because I don’t call Peter Uncle Peter.”

  “Made me feel ancient.” He came to them. “So it’s just Peter.”

  “I had to pull the chain very hard, Thomas.”

  “I hope you didn’t break it?” he teased.

  “No, not that hard. Can I have another biscuit?”

  “I think Stephanie has them.”

  “Okay.”

  “Peter.” He put out his hand.

  “Thomas.” They shook hands.

  “Big brother, eh?”

  “Looks like it. Although, I’ve been the little brother up to now.”

  “Like cars?” Peter asked.

  “Well, yes, I suppose so. I haven’t really thought about it.”

  “What have you got?”

  “My father’s old Jaguar. I’ll show you soon.”

  “Cheers. Your…um, Lady Heaton doesn’t look too happy,” Peter added and they turned. Lady Heaton was seated at a table in a corner. “I kind of feel sorry for her, to be honest. What do you think she’ll do now?”

  By the blank expression on Thomas’ face, he clearly hadn’t given it much thought.

  “I don’t know. She’s living in one of the farmyard apartments. I’m not going to evict her, I’m not a heartless bastard. When all is said and done, she was my father’s wife, she ran this house and she brought Steph and me up.”

  “Somehow I doubt if she’ll want anything to do with us.” Michelle joined them. “No matter how sorry you feel for her.”

  “No, but at the same time she must be relieved that all this isn’t top secret anymore.”

  “I’m going to have to go soon. Cathy needs a proper dinner and Dad looks out on his feet. I don’t think he got any sleep last night.”

  “Join the club,” Thomas smiled weakly. “What about the press?”

  “Sod them.”

  “What are you going to do about Danielle and your father?”

  “I don’t know. If Mum really is intent on this clinic idea then, maybe, he might forgive her. But for now, it’s separate rooms.” She pulled a face and looked around for Cathy. “Cathy? Come on, we’re going home.”

  “Now?”

  “Yes, now.” Michelle turned back. “I’m glad that this didn’t end up in one big fight. Thanks for that, Thomas.”

  “Is the shock wearing off yet?” he asked.

  “That might take a while. Mum’s always been full of surprises. Usually drink related. But this…”

  “Well, if you ever need any help? I mean it, Michelle.”

  Michelle nodded. “Thanks.”

  “And if you want me to take Cathy for a few hours, ring me?” Sophia added.

  “I’ll probably take you up on that.”

  “I’ll bring you up to the front door.”

  “We won’t be long behind you,” Tony told his wife, who nodded.

  “How many times have you got lost here?” Don asked Sophia as she pulled open the huge front door.

  “A few times, even with a map.”

  “I suppose you’re glad in a way that it’s all out in the open.”

  “Yes,” she admitted. “But not the way it happened.”

  “You’re right there.” He took Cathy’s hand and they went out to Michelle’s car.

  “I apologised to your dad,” Michelle told her. “For being hysterical on the phone.”

  “Well, if you need to be hysterical again sometime you know where I am.”

  Michelle laughed. “I’ll probably take you up on that, too. Chuck the rest of them out soon, you and Thomas look knackered.”

  “Will do.”

  Returning to the kitchen, she found Stephanie and Danielle deep in conversation with Lady Heaton watching them stony-faced. Thomas was pouring himself yet another coffee.

  “We should go, too.” Tony put his cup on the worktop. “Thanks for refereeing, Thomas.”

  “I’m not sure whether we actually resolved anything, I mean Danielle and Don haven’t resolved anything, but we’ve all met now so that’s something at least.”

  They watched Tony drive away and Thomas gave her an exhausted smile.

  “Thank God that’s over.”

  “For now, anyway. Bed?”

  He nodded. “In a few minutes.”

  She followed him down to the kitchen where Helen and Stephanie were loading the dishwasher. Lady Heaton was still seated in the corner but got up when she saw them.

  “I suppose you’d like me to move out now you’ve found your mother’s family.”

  “No, not at all,” Thomas replied. “You’re quite welcome to live in the apartment.”

  Lady Heaton was taken aback but retaliated quickly. “But think of the revenue you’re missing out on.”

  “Well, if it concerns you that much, you choose. The apartment or Sophia’s flat in the stable yard?”

  “I think…Sophia’s flat in the stable yard. We didn’t spend an inordinate amount on the farmyard apartments for family to then occupy them.”

  “No. Thank you.” He stifled a yawn.

  “You’re exhausted. We’ll discuss it when we’ve all had a good night’s sleep.”

  “Do you need a lift back to the farmyard?”

  “Thank you, no. Stephanie and I will take the short cut across the fields again.”

  “I’ll talk to you tomorrow.” Stephanie gave them a smile and followed Lady Heaton out.

  “Are you two hungry?” Sophia asked. Her father and Thomas looked at each other then back at her. “I could rustle up something lightish before we go to bed? Beans on toast?”

  The two men smiled.

  Half an hour later she left her father in the flat preparing for bed and returned to the house to find Thomas.

  “I’ve just rung Des,” he told her. “He’s just been down to the gates. He thinks the press are getting fed up. A couple got over the wall somewhere but when they got up here all the curtains were closed. Same story over at Michelle and Tony’s.”

  “Good. Let’s just go to bed.”

  It was midday before they stirred and headed downstairs to the kitchen. Sophia was frying bacon and sausages before Helen and Des arrived.

 
“Have you eaten?” Sophia asked.

  “We had some cornflakes.”

  “Bacon sandwich?”

  Both grinned and Thomas began to butter some bread.

  Sophia did her best but still felt as though she had guided a group of senior citizens around the house as if on autopilot. Luckily there were no complaints or any copies of The World On Sunday in their possession.

  Retrieving her phone she opened a text message from Michelle.

  Mum gone home. Going 2 book herself straight in2 a clinic

  Sophia smiled and replied;

  Good. Give her our best wishes

  “Good news?” Thomas came into the kitchen and helped himself to a cup of coffee.

  “Danielle’s booking herself straight into a clinic.”

  “Let’s hope she stays the course because she’s on the wedding guest list. She and Don are getting individual invitations. Whether they turn up together or separately is up to them. A hundred guests; it’s not a huge amount, is it?”

  “No, but we decided on family and close friends only. We don’t want to be going around our own wedding reception asking, ‘Sorry, who are you, again?’”

  Thomas laughed. “That’s true.”

  Sophia paced up and down the bathroom floor, smoothing sweaty palms down her jeans. Stopping at the sink, she blew out her cheeks and picked up the pregnancy test. It was positive. Bright colours danced in front of Sophia’s eyes and for an awful moment, she thought she was going to faint. She placed it back in the sink, put the toilet seat down and sat on it. Reaching for the glass on the shelf above the sink, she lifted the toothbrush out and ran water into it. She gulped the water down and wiped her mouth before standing up, hoping her legs would hold her. Putting the glass back, she picked up the pregnancy test and left the flat.

  Thomas was in his office so she tapped on the door.

  “Are you busy?”

  He smiled. “It’s nothing that can’t wait.”

  “Good.” She closed the door and pulled down the blinds.

  “What’s this?” Thomas’ smile broadened into a grin.

  “I need to show you something,” she said and put the test on the desk. “I’ve missed a period and I’m usually like clockwork.” Thomas’ jaw dropped but she plunged onwards. “I wondered if I’d missed because of the stress of all that’s happened but I thought I’d better buy a pregnancy test all the same. I plucked up the courage just now and did it and it says I’m pregnant,” she said, pointing to the window in the test kit.

  Thomas stared at the test then at her in complete bewilderment. “Pregnant?”

  “This test is 99% accurate. One of the condoms must have ripped or burst. And we do have sex a lot.” She couldn’t help but laugh.

  “Oh, my God,” he whispered. “Oh, my God.” He grabbed her around the waist and pulled her into an embrace. “Oh, my God.”

  “You’re happy?”

  “Are you?”

  “Shocked,” she admitted. “Stunned. But happy.”

  “Good. So am I.”

  “Really?” she asked quietly. “Because this is so sudden.”

  “Really. Oh, my God, I love you.”

  “Can we tell my dad first?” she asked and Thomas grinned and nodded.

  It took an age for her father to come to the front door and open it. Sophia stared at him in surprise, it was only four o’clock in the afternoon but he was in his dressing gown.

  “Dad, are you all right? Are you ill?”

  “No, no, I’m fine. You didn’t say you were coming round.”

  “Do I need to make an appointment?” She laughed then clapped a hand to her mouth as a woman in a nightdress appeared behind him in the hall.

  “Everything all right, William?”

  Her father shuffled awkwardly. “Yes, fine.”

  The woman gave Sophia and her father a puzzled glance before retreating in the direction of the bedroom.

  “Looks like I should have made an appointment, Dad.”

  “Sophia…”

  “Let me know when it’s okay to call round. Bye, Dad.”

  She turned and pushed past Thomas and headed for the car on wobbly legs. A moment or two later, he got into the driver’s seat.

  “I’m sorry,” he said simply and she gave him a humourless smile. “Do you know who she is?” he asked.

  She shook her head and he leaned over, kissed her forehead, started the car and drove them back to the abbey.

  In what was now their living room, she sank down onto one of the sofas and rested her face in her hands for a moment.

  “I can’t face Lady Heaton just yet.”

  “No, of course not.” He exhaled a laugh and she raised her head in surprise. “Sorry, I was just going to offer you a whisky.”

  “How about a cup of tea instead?”

  He smiled and nodded. “Won’t be long.”

  It was stupid to be angry but she couldn’t help it. Good grief, how long had it been going on? Since before her mother had died?

  She dropped her head into her hands. Her mother had thought him dead for months. She had been astounded when her mother had casually referred to her husband in the past tense for the first time and even more astounded when he had paid little or no attention. Bloody hell, she should have known something like this would happen.

  “Here we are.” Thomas pushed the door open and then closed it with his foot.

  “Thanks.” She took a mug from him and put it down on the coffee table. “I feel such an idiot for not expecting something like this to happen.”

  “Your mother was ill for a long time.”

  “Yes. It was just a bit of a jolt, especially when I haven’t a clue who she is.”

  She jumped as the front doorbell jangled.

  “Drink your tea, I’ll go.” Thomas squeezed her shoulder and went out.

  He returned a couple of minutes later and she got to her feet when she saw who was with him.

  “Dad?”

  “I had to come and explain. Can I sit down?”

  “Yes, of course. Here.” She pushed her mug towards him. “Tea.”

  “Thanks, Sophia.” He seated himself on the opposite sofa and took a sip of tea while Thomas stood behind her. “Well, her name is Sylvia. We’ve been – how do you young people put it – seeing each other for a while now. I’m sorry, I should have told you sooner, I just didn’t know how to. I know how devastated you were when you lost your mum.”

  “Yes, but you lost her a long time ago. When I came back from London she was already referring to you in the past tense.”

  Her father nodded. “When I came out of hospital after I broke my arm and had to have the pin put in your mother assumed I was dead and sadly I stayed dead. Sophia, your mum was the love of my life and always will be, but I was lonely and so was Sylvia when I met her.”

  “When did you meet her?” Sophia asked.

  Her father shifted uncomfortably in his seat. “I’m not going to lie to you, lass. I was introduced to her at the club after your mother’s funeral.”

  Sophia inhaled and then exhaled a shaky breath. “I see. Is that why you told me to go home?”

  “No,” he shouted, making her jump. “No, I could see how difficult you were finding it all and I knew Thomas would look after you.”

  Sophia glanced up at Thomas, who was standing behind her father’s chair, he pulled a sympathetic expression and she sighed.

  “I’m sorry, Dad, it’s just a bit of a shock.”

  “I know, lass. Was there something you’d come to see me about?”

  Sophia glanced up at Thomas again and he nodded.

  “Dad, Thomas and I are going to have a baby.”

  “You’re pregnant?” Her father’s eyes almost popped out of his head. “I’m sorry, it’s just a bit of a shock.”

  “Yes, it is, but we’re both absolutely delighted.” Thomas smiled and to her relief, her father’s face broke into a smile and he nodded.

  “A grandad.”
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br />   “Yes.” She leaned over and kissed his cheek.

  “Who else knows?”

  “No-one yet.”

  “What do you think Lady Heaton will say?” he asked and her heart plummeted.

  “Who knows?” Thomas replied. “But we are delighted and that’s what matters.”

  “When are you going to tell her?”

  “This evening.”

  “Good luck.”

  “This evening?” Sophia enquired.

  “We don’t have to. We can leave it until the morning if you’d prefer?”

  “No.” She sighed. “We’d better get it over and done with.”

  “You sure?”

  “Positive.”

  “Okay.” He reached over and squeezed her shoulder but it did little to reassure her.

  Two hours later, she climbed the stairs with Thomas to what had once been her flat on leaden legs. He knocked at the door.

  “Who is it?” Lady Heaton’s voice asked.

  “Thomas and Sophia. Can we come in?”

  “Yes.”

  Thomas opened the door. Lady Heaton was seated on the sofa. She had been watching Emmerdale but had muted the sound. There wasn’t a floral pattern in sight and she looked completely out of place in the modern surroundings.

  “Settling in?” Thomas asked.

  “Yes.”

  Thomas cleared his throat. “May we sit down?” Lady Heaton extended a hand and Sophia took the armchair leaving Thomas no choice but to sit at the other end of the sofa. “Thank you.”

  “Was that your father I saw earlier, Sophia?”

  “Yes, it was.”

  “Nothing wrong, I hope?”

  “I was telling him I was pregnant,” Sophia announced. Thomas’ eyes widened but instead of being shocked or taken aback, Lady Heaton simply nodded.

  “We’re absolutely delighted,” Thomas added.

  “Will you be bringing the wedding forward?”

  “No. There’s no need.”

  “You’ll be wearing an Empire-line dress, then, to hide your condition?”

  “Lady Heaton, I am only a few weeks pregnant. I’m not going to be waddling down the aisle next month.”

  “Well, you have my congratulations.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Have you told Stephanie?”

  “Not yet. You are only the second person we’ve told.”