Mara's Choice

by Anna Jacobs

  ‘Well, thank you. Just a smallish car.’

  ‘You can discuss the details with Emma.’ He glanced at his watch. ‘I have to leave for the airport within the hour, I’m afraid.’

  She couldn’t hold back a little laugh. ‘It’s all right. Stop looking so anxious, Aaron. I won’t take a huff. I hope your business goes well.’

  He rolled his eyes. ‘I hope it sells once and for all. I’m well over rushing around the world like a madman. Emma and I both want to enjoy some of the money we’ve made over the years. She’s always been part of it.’

  After another of his hesitations, he leant forward and kissed her cheek. ‘Take care.’

  She watched him clamber back over the wall, then went inside to tell Hal what was going on.

  He listened with his usual intentness. ‘Bad timing with regard to your visit, but if he can sell his business, it’ll be a load off his shoulders. I should know. It’s what I’ve just done, sold up completely.’

  ‘Your turn to come clean: what sort of business did you run?’

  ‘I was working in a consultancy for recruiting top-end personnel. Two of us set it up and it did rather well, if I say so myself. When I decided I’d had enough and wanted out, my partner bought me out. He’s more ambitious than I ever was.’

  ‘Well done you.’ She waited but he didn’t offer any more information so she changed the subject by confessing, ‘Um – I’m getting a bit hungry now.’

  ‘Me too.’

  They had a quick lunch and continued working through the afternoon, then suddenly, all the drawers were empty, two rubbish bin liners had been filled and the sellable expensive items had been carefully put away again.

  She stretched. ‘I’m a bit stiff now.’

  ‘You’ve worked incredibly hard. I just—’

  Suddenly Mara’s phone rang and she recognised the special ringtone so ran across the room and snatched it out of her handbag.

  ‘Dad! Is that you?’

  ‘Yes, love.’

  ‘Where have you been? I was worried sick when I couldn’t get hold of you.’

  ‘I had a fall, wound up in hospital.’

  ‘What?’

  ‘It was nothing serious.’

  ‘How did you manage to fall? You’re usually quite nimble.’

  ‘Um – well, that’s the bad news, I’m afraid.’

  ‘What has Mum done now?’

  ‘She had a really serious incident, worse than ever before. She attacked me and – well, that’s how I fell. The doctors at the hospital said I was run down and I certainly felt exhausted.’ His voice wobbled. ‘I was at the end of my tether with her.’

  ‘Oh, Dad! I should have stayed with you.’

  ‘I’m glad you didn’t. You’d only have argued and made matters worse. You’re not as good at treading softly as I am. She went downhill very quickly after you’d gone.’

  Silence.

  ‘Tell me what else is worrying you, Dad.’

  ‘I can’t do it any longer, Mara love – stay with her, I mean. I just – can’t.’

  ‘It’s a miracle you’ve done it for so long, Dad.’

  He managed a faint, rusty chuckle. ‘Sally next door said that too. A miracle achieved with the help of my golf and the fact that Kath preferred having the house to herself during the daytime.’

  ‘Yes. I noticed. So what are you going to do – for yourself and for her?’

  ‘There’s nothing I can do at the moment. She lost consciousness suddenly on the way to hospital and she’s still unconscious. They’ve been running tests on her and they think there’s a growth in her brain.’

  ‘I’ll book a seat on the next plane home.’

  ‘Please don’t. If it’s what they’ve hinted at, I’d rather you stayed there for a while longer, then I won’t have to worry about you.’

  ‘What are they hinting at?’

  ‘They think this was caused by a slow-growing tumour in a difficult place and well, they say if that’s confirmed it’ll be inoperable. They’ve stressed that you can never quite tell, though.’

  ‘Dad, are you trying to let me down slowly?’

  He sighed. ‘You always could read me. Yes. They’re pretty certain she won’t recover, actually. All they don’t know is how long it’ll take for her to die. Weeks rather than days probably. If I’ve understood correctly, she’s still breathing on her own and has some brain function, but her systems are shutting down gradually. They used a lot of long words, but I think I’ve got the basics right.’

  ‘Oh, dear. But if you’ve already collapsed with exhaustion, surely I ought to be there helping you. You should have rung me sooner.’

  ‘I had to get things straight in my head. I don’t think anyone can really help Kath, love, and when the time comes, well, she always said not to resuscitate her, you’ve heard her.’

  ‘Yes. She was very determined about that. But I could run the house, cook and wash for you and so on.’

  ‘I can do that for myself. It helps pass the time. It seems a pity to drag you back all that way. No, you stay there and enjoy your holiday, love. I’ll let you know when it’s time to come home.’

  ‘But Mum—’

  ‘We’ve been losing her for a while, a couple of years at least. We both knew something was wrong, only she wouldn’t seek help. Turns out they couldn’t have helped anyway, so I feel better about that. Once she loses all signs of brain function they’ll tell me and I’ll let them turn off her life support.’

  Mara couldn’t think what to say. It sounded so heartless not to go back, only he was right. The real Kath had already left them.

  He broke the silence. ‘Sally’s going to help me with the cooking. She’s such a kind, generous woman.’

  ‘Oh. All right, then. If you’re sure.’ Mara had known that he was fond of their next-door neighbour for a while. The two of them looked so comfortable together when they chatted. Though of course she knew he’d never have done anything about it.

  ‘How are things going down under? Is this Aaron chap still being nice to you, Mara?’

  ‘Very nice indeed. You’d get on well with him and his wife. But there’s a business crisis. He’s in the middle of selling up to retire, so it’s really important. He’s had to go over to Sydney for a few days. It fits in well because I’m helping out a neighbour whose mother died recently. He has her house to clear and was freaking out at dealing with her clothes.’

  ‘Then you carry on doing that, Mara. Stay there, please. I’m back at home now and it’s lovely and peaceful, which is just what I need. I promise to keep you in touch with what happens.’

  So she let that drop and tried to end on a lighter note. ‘How’s Ernest?’

  ‘He’s making sure I don’t get lonely. How’s Archibald?’

  ‘He’s enjoying Australia.’

  They both chuckled and he said, ‘I’ve got him back again now. I had to leave him with Sally after you left to keep him safe. Kath even tried to break into my little shed. I’d have been really upset if I’d lost him. You know how your mother hated your toys. I never could work out why.’

  ‘Me neither. I’d have made a brother for him if you’d lost him.’

  ‘Eh, us and our teddy bears. We’re a pair of daftheads, aren’t we?’

  Her dad had fallen for the teddy bear she’d made while practising, so she’d given it to him. They’d chosen names and sent imaginary messages from one toy to the other. Her mother had thought that utterly stupid, but for once the two of them had stuck to their guns and continued making jokes about their little pets.

  ‘Now I’m home again, so you can email me or phone any time you like.’

  ‘You’re all right again, though? Physically, I mean. Why did they keep you in hospital?’

  ‘To run tests on my heart. But it wasn’t as bad as they’d expected. I had a good old rest and it did me a world of good. I’m on some pills which will keep my blood pressure down and I’m sleeping wonderfully well. It’s nice to eat what I w
ant when I want.’

  ‘Mum did insist on ruling the roost, didn’t she?’

  ‘Yes. When I let Sally know I was coming back, she cooked me a casserole. It was delicious. She’s going to show me how to make it myself.’

  ‘She’s a good cook.’

  ‘And a good woman. Anyway, I must get off the phone now, Mara love, or this will be costing a fortune. I’ll be in touch. In the meantime, you enjoy yourself out there. Bring home a bagful of happy memories.’

  ‘All right. Love you!’

  When the call ended, she stood there for a few moments coming to terms with what her father had told her. She was deeply sorry about her mother, but it explained the way she’d changed over the past couple of years. It was better that they hadn’t known about the tumour really, if it was inoperable.

  In the end Mara went to find Hal and the minute he saw the expression on her face, he held out his arms.

  ‘I can see that it was bad news.’

  She walked straight into those strong arms and nestled against him. Sometimes, you could keep a straight face and hide that you were troubled and other times, like now, you were so upset you either needed to be held or to bawl your eyes out.

  He’d offered the shelter of his arms without even knowing what was wrong. He was such a lovely man.

  Mara let Hal hold her, which he did without asking for an explanation, till she was more in control of herself. ‘Thank you. I needed that.’ She was then able to tell him what was going on.

  He looked at her solemnly when she’d finished. ‘And now you’re feeling guilty about not feeling more upset.’

  She nodded.

  ‘It sounds to me as if it was a merciful release – for all of you.’

  As his words sank in, she felt a little of the burden of guilt lift. He’d just lost his mother, would understand better than anyone.

  ‘If you need anything – even if it’s only a cuddle – you only have to ask, Mara.’

  ‘I might just do that. Things are in such a tangle in my head at the moment, as well as in my life.’

  ‘It’d be my privilege to help you in any way you need.’

  So she hugged him again. ‘What do they say in Australia? “Good on yer!” But the hugs are the main thing I need at the moment till I can see my way more clearly. Dad’s a good hugger.’

  ‘I have an inexhaustible supply of hugs, but I have to warn you that I don’t feel at all fatherly about hugging you.’

  She smiled. ‘Good. I don’t want you to feel fatherly about me.’

  Who’d have thought so much could happen to her in such a short time? The trouble with Darren seemed very unimportant now.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Later on, Hal asked Mara if she’d mind helping him work out what extra furniture he’d need if he wanted to live a more normal social life.

  When someone rang the doorbell, he went to peek out through the security spyhole in the front door. Letting out an annoyed grunt, he went back into the kitchen. ‘It’s that woman, the real estate agent, Mara. How she has the cheek to come here again, I do not know. Well, I’m not answering. I do not wish to speak to her.’

  But the doorbell rang again, then there was another ring soon after, then yet another.

  ‘She’s not going to go away, Hal. She must have seen us from somewhere on these canals when we were walking about outside studying the patio. Do you want me to answer the door and pretend to be a cleaner who doesn’t speak good English?’

  He grinned. ‘I’d like to see you do that. Thanks, Mara, but she’ll have seen you if she’s seen me and she doesn’t sound to be going away.’

  ‘She or her client must be in a house on this canal to see what we’re doing, don’t you think?’

  ‘Yes.’

  The doorbell rang again. ‘I’ll answer it but could you stand out of sight nearby and listen to what she says, so that we can compare notes afterwards? She might give us a clue or two as to whether it’s her mystery client who’s sending her to hassle me or whether it’s her own idea of a good way to force my hand and earn a substantial commission.’

  The doorbell rang again and he yelled ‘Coming!’ but waited till Mara was standing just inside the doorway of the small room nearby before he opened the door.

  Diana Vincenzo was there, flashily dressed as ever with another low-cut cleavage. The same luxury car was parked behind her on the drive.

  ‘Yes?’

  ‘I need to talk to you, Mr Kendrell. I have some really good news. May I come in?’

  ‘No, you may not. I told you not to bother me again and I meant it.’

  Her smile vanished to be replaced by a look of outrage at his bluntness.

  He tried to close the door and she had the cheek to stick her foot in the way, so he said it again, loudly and slowly, ‘I do not wish to sell this house. Please stop pestering me.’

  Her scowl turned into a glare and her foot remained in the way. ‘If a client asks me to approach you, I shall do my best to follow his instructions, whatever it takes.’

  ‘Well, if he’s an honest man he’ll give me his name.’

  She hesitated, then said. ‘He’s called Enrico Moretti. But he prefers me to deal with you for him.’

  Hal leant against the door frame. ‘Let’s get it over with, then, and make this the last time you approach me. Tell me this good news.’

  ‘It’s not very civilised to discuss business on the doorstep.’

  ‘Maybe I’m not feeling civilised today, and as I’ve said, I have no business to discuss with you. If you can’t say what you want, I’m happy to manage without a conversation.’ He made as if to close the door again, edging his foot towards hers.

  She jabbed out one hand, placing it flat against the door to stop him closing it. ‘Very well. If we must. My client has very generously raised his offer to buy this house by $100,000.’

  He didn’t even have to think about that. ‘The answer is still no.’

  She stared at him in obvious shock. ‘You haven’t even taken time to think it over. He’ll be paying you top dollar, you know.’

  ‘I don’t need to consider it, nor do I need the money. I am not selling. How much more plainly can I say it?’

  ‘I’m sure you’ll come to regret that once you’ve had time to think it over. And I must warn you that my client doesn’t take well to being thwarted.’

  He was about to close the door forcibly but that got his attention. ‘Are you threatening me?’

  ‘Of course not. But my client is very determined and he might make things, er, uncomfortable for you in this town. He has some friends in useful places and he’s very well thought of, while you’re a stranger.’

  Hal didn’t believe that the man could be well thought of if what had happened recently was down to him. Bully-boy tactics didn’t win a man many friends. ‘That sounds like a threat to me.’ He waited, feeling what he called his ‘stone face’ slip into place, the one he used to wear when on a job.

  ‘Of course it isn’t a threat. As if I’d ever threaten anyone. But I can’t control what other people might do. I heard that someone has tried to smash their way into your house already. You might not be safe here but my client can afford to put in much better security.’

  Hal decided to let her go on talking. ‘The would-be intruders didn’t succeed in getting inside, so my security can’t be all that bad.’

  ‘Or you were lucky and they got interrupted.’

  ‘How does he know so much about me?’

  She hesitated. ‘He’s renting a house nearby.’

  ‘Well, tell him to buy that one instead. However, in case of more intruders, I’m going to have really top-notch CCTV cameras installed as soon as it can be arranged. Kindly tell your client that I plan to live here permanently, so he’ll be able to watch me enjoying my inheritance.’

  Her scowl grew deeper, making her features seem suddenly fox-like. ‘You might regret that, Mr Kendrell.’

  ‘I don’t think so.’ He took h
er by surprise, kicking her foot away and shutting the door, even though she tried to hold it open. Then he turned to Mara. ‘Do you think you can remember the gist of that conversation?’

  She held out her phone. ‘Even better, I recorded every word of it.’

  ‘Brilliant. You are a treasure.’

  ‘We aim to please.’

  ‘Now, on another topic, since your father’s left for the eastern states and your stepmother will no doubt be going to see her daughter in hospital, why don’t you stay for tea? It’d be silly for us to eat alone when we’re only fifty metres apart.’

  ‘That sounds like a good idea. What’s on the menu? Or shall we get some takeaway delivered?’

  ‘We already have leftover curry but there’s not quite enough for two. I haven’t built up much by the way of emergency supplies yet, I must admit, so I’ll order in some more food.’

  ‘Why don’t I go and get a few vegetables, then I can cook us a satay with noodles to go with the leftovers? Emma has an extremely well-stocked fridge and she’ll not have her family around to eat the fresh stuff up before it spoils so I’m sure she won’t mind.’

  ‘Done.’

  She slipped over the low wall again, was quite used to doing that now, then went to find Emma.

  Instead she found a scribbled note stuck to the inside of the patio door:

  I SAW YOU’D TAKEN YOUR HANDBAG, SO PLEASE USE YOUR FRONT DOOR KEY TO GET INSIDE. I’M VISITING THE HOSPITAL.

  EMMA

  Mara went back to tell Hal what she was doing then went out of his house the front way and let herself into the next house.

  The watcher sitting in a car further along the street saw the woman go out and return with a bag of what looked like food. She must be cooking tea for Kendrell. Obviously they were getting on like a house on fire. He sniggered at the thought of what that would probably lead to.

  He’d like to get his hands on her, that was sure. She wasn’t beautiful exactly, but she was a tall, fine woman with a nicely rounded figure.

  When nothing happened for an hour or so, he gave up and went to report back to Mr Moretti. The old guy was sitting in the canal-side garden of his house having a drink with that estate agent female, using binoculars to keep an eye on the comings and goings at the poet’s house.