by Susan Lewis
‘When you’ve quite finished …’
‘I’ve hardly even started …’
‘Rosalind, I’m not going to stand here allowing you to say these things when you don’t even know what you’re talking about. I know your mother had some difficulty towards the end believing that I wasn’t seeing Lisa …’
‘Because she knew you were.’
‘How could she, when I wasn’t?’
‘I don’t care what you say, she knew that woman had got to you again. She tracked you down in Paris, and from then on you kept wishing Mum would hurry up and die so you could get on with your sordid little love affair without any interruptions.’
David’s face was ashen. ‘Darling, that is not true,’ he told her forcefully. ‘I did everything I could for your mother while she was ill.’
‘Except love her, and that’s all she ever wanted from you, to know that you really loved her.’
‘Of course I loved her.’
‘So much that her body hardly had time to turn cold before you were …’
‘Stop this,’ he interrupted shakily. ‘Whatever you’re telling yourself, or your mother told you …’
‘Do you miss her?’ she shouted.
David blinked.
‘You were married to her for thirty years, so do you miss her now?’
‘Yes. Very much, in fact.’
‘You’re lying!’
He said nothing. He couldn’t. His words were like startled birds in flight.
‘Why aren’t you defending yourself?’ she cried angrily. ‘It’s your conscience, isn’t it? You know you’ve behaved badly, that what you’re doing is wrong …’
‘I can …’
‘Why did you sell Mum’s house? You know how much it meant to her, and to me … It’s where I grew up, for God’s sake. It was our family home. All our memories are there, and you just upped and sold it like it was any other property on our books. How could you do that? It was our house, and signing everything else over to me doesn’t make up for it, so don’t try telling yourself it does.’
‘I can’t win, Rosalind. You’re not listening …’
‘Tell me why you sold it.’
He started to speak, but his words had gone again.
‘Answer me!’ she cried. ‘What’s the matter with you? I want to know why you sold it.’
‘Darling, ask yourself, would you …’ He swallowed and tried again. ‘Would you really want Lisa living there, feeling the way you do about her? Of course not. And she wouldn’t want to live there either. Your mother and I … We were very happy in that house, but our time had come to an end. Surely you must see that. I couldn’t go on rattling about there on my own …’
‘All I see are strangers tearing up her flower beds, knocking down walls, treating the place as though it’s some kind of ruin instead of one of the most beautiful houses for miles around.’
‘Look, I know it must be hard, every time you drive by, seeing how they’re changing it, but we have to move on.’
‘I don’t want to move on,’ she shouted, tears suddenly streaming down her cheeks. ‘I want her back. She shouldn’t have died. She was too young … Oh God, Dad, it’s horrible without her. I miss her so much …’
As she fell sobbing into his arms, David held her tightly, keeping his eyes closed to hold back his own tears as the depth of her loss overwhelmed him. ‘There, there,’ he soothed, pressing a kiss to her hair. ‘I know how much she meant to you, and …’
‘Why did you have to go to that woman when you did?’ she spluttered angrily. ‘Couldn’t you have waited a bit longer? It was so quick, and Mum didn’t deserve to be kicked aside like that.’
‘That’s not what I did,’ he assured her. ‘Your mother meant the world to me …’
‘Oh dear,’ a voice said from the open kitchen door. ‘Is this a bad time? Would you like me to go away again?’
‘No, no, come in, Dee,’ Rosalind said to her aunt. ‘We’re not discussing anything you don’t already know about.’
Dee Lorimer’s usually lively round face was creased with concern as she watched her niece break away from her father’s embrace, dabbing her eyes and trying to suppress a bout of sobs. Dee’s eyes went quickly to David, as though seeking enlightenment, but he merely shook his head.
‘If you don’t mind, I’d like you to go now, Dad,’ Rosalind said. ‘I don’t want to seem rude or to hurt your feelings. At least, not any more than I already have …’ Her smile was weak. ‘We can meet for dinner, if you like? Unless you have other plans, that is.’
He swallowed and glanced awkwardly at Dee. ‘I’m afraid I do,’ he admitted.
Rosalind nodded resignedly. ‘She’s here, in Bristol?’
‘She’ll probably be on her way by now.’
‘Where are you staying?’
He started to answer, then stopped.
‘Don’t worry, I’m not planning to drop in, or do anything to break up your cosy little love nest, wherever it is.’
David looked at Dee again, but she was keeping her eyes down, clearly not wanting to get caught in the middle.
‘We’re staying with her sister, over near Bath,’ he said.
Rosalind’s eyes turned glassy. He was being sucked into another family, they were going to lose him, and she didn’t know how to stop it. ‘Perhaps you’ll call if you have time,’ she said, failing to keep a shrill note from her voice.
‘Of course I will,’ he promised, coming to kiss her.
She tried to smile, and decided not to remind him of how often he’d made the same promise lately, and had ended up letting her down. The father she’d always known and loved would never have done that, so what more proof did she need that Lisa Martin was stealing him away?
Lisa could see, even feel, David watching her as she strode towards him through the sunshine, the diaphanous flow of her dress swishing softly around her calves, and the gentle breeze blowing along the platform lifting the brim of her straw hat. He was standing just inside the gates to the car park at Bath Spa station, leaning against the railings with his arms folded and eyes darkened with pleasure as he waited for her to reach him. Though she knew people were watching, and she was smiling like an adolescent, she couldn’t help it, and nor did she really care. All that mattered to her was that he was there, and looking every bit as smitten with her as she was with him.
‘Do you think kissing in public is allowed when you might be recognised?’ she murmured, holding her hat as he swept her into his arms.
‘Who cares?’ he replied, and planted his mouth firmly on hers.
She was flushed and laughing happily as he released her, and tucking an arm through his she let him take her weekend bag as they walked to the car.
‘How was the shopping?’ he asked, as he opened the passenger door for her to get in.
‘I’m glad you asked,’ she replied, throwing her hat on to the back seat. ‘Sofas are ordered, so are the guest beds, and our bed will be just as soon as we decide on the mattress. However, they can definitely make it to fit the existing posts.’
‘Mm, sounds like we’re making progress.’ Going round to the driver’s side, he slipped in next to her and pulled her into another embrace. ‘You look stunning,’ he told her. ‘I love this dress. It has a very saucy way of showing off what’s underneath.’
She bubbled with laughter. ‘I hope not,’ she whispered, ‘because there isn’t anything underneath, except me.’
He gave a lustful groan. ‘If we weren’t in a public place …’ he said.
‘What would you do?’ she challenged.
Leaning over he murmured in her ear, and her smile was lost in a wave of desire.
‘I called into Amy’s on the way to collect you,’ he told her as he reversed out of the parking space. ‘Your mother’s already there, and they’re planning a barbecue for this evening with the weather being so good.’
‘Great. So, it’ll be just the five of us?’
‘I believe Roxy wa
s threatening to join us, but then someone rang and we were royally dumped.’
Lisa smiled, remembering only too well how lively and dismissive of grown-ups she and Amy had been at Roxy’s age.
‘So did you find out why Brendan had to back out of your meeting yesterday?’ David asked, as they joined the dual carriageway heading out of town.
‘Apparently his gran had a fall so he had to rush up to Lincoln. Luckily, she’s OK. He emailed this morning to apologise for the last-minute cancellation, and we’ve rescheduled for Tuesday.’
‘Did he say what he wants to see you about?’
‘No, but knowing him he wants a bit of a gossip. Now, tell me about you. How was your lunch with Rosalind today?’
Her heart sank as, keeping his eyes on the road, he reached over for her hand.
‘I see, that bad,’ she said, gazing down at the dazzling three-carat diamond he’d bought her for their engagement.
‘It’ll change,’ he said.
Hoping he was right, but doubting it, she said, ‘In time for the wedding?’
At that he sighed, and after merging into the single-lane traffic he said, ‘It’s possible. Anything can happen between now and then.’
Like a miracle, she was thinking. ‘Did you happen to mention the text?’
He didn’t answer straight away, and she was about to let the subject drop when he said, ‘Mm, but she’s in a bad place at the moment so …’
She turned to look at him. ‘So?’ she prompted.
He shook his head.
Not quite understanding, but not wanting to push too hard either, she said, ‘Was Jerry there today?’
‘No. I’m not sure where he is, but he’s not usually away for much more than a week.’
‘Does she still think he’s playing around?’
‘I don’t know. The subject didn’t come up, but I’m sure it’s all sorted out now.’
With a sigh, Lisa turned to stare out of the window. ‘I can’t help feeling sorry for her,’ she said. ‘It must seem as though her world is falling apart … Do you think it might help if I talked to her, tried to get her to see that we could actually be friends if she’d allow it?’
Bringing her hand to his lips, he said, ‘It’s a lovely thought, but I don’t think now is the right time. She’s still …’ He gave a shake of his head, as though not really wanting to go on.
‘Grieving?’
‘Yes, she …’ He stopped again, then after a moment he said, ‘Tell me, did you hear from Brendan?’
‘I just told you …’
‘Yes, sorry, I meant Belinda. Is that her name, who’s making your dress?’
‘Isabelle,’ she corrected, ‘and I spent most of yesterday morning with her. It’s fabulous, or it will be when it’s finished.’
He smiled playfully. ‘I can hardly wait to see it. You’ll look sensational, I have no doubts about that. By the way, have you made up your mind yet where you’d like to go on honeymoon?’
‘Actually, I think I have … Oh, hang on, who’s this?’ and reaching into her bag she pulled out her iPhone. ‘It’s a Hong Kong number,’ she said, thinking first of Tony, then of who she was hoping it would be. ‘Please let it be Sheelagh or Baz. Hi, this is Lisa,’ she cried down the line.
‘Darling, it’s Sheelagh,’ came the reply. ‘Sorry it’s taken me so long to get back to you. We flew into Hong Kong yesterday – did our agent tell you?’
‘Yes, he did. You’re there for a week?’
‘Yes, then it’s Singapore, Sydney, oh heavens I’ve forgotten the schedule, but that’s not important, what is, is that we’d absolutely love to sing at your wedding. We’re honoured you’d ask, and don’t you mention another word about paying us, do you hear me?’
‘But I know how …’
‘Enough! We’re due back in Jamaica mid-July, so we’ll have a couple of weeks at home before we fly over to join you.’
‘Oh Sheelagh, this is fantastic news. You at least have to let us pay for your flights.’
‘Forget it. Now, tell me, have you heard from Royston yet?’
‘Yes, he emailed a couple of days ago and more fantastic news, he and the band can make it too, all the way from New Orleans. Oh my God, we’re so international,’ she laughed, turning to David and finding him laughing too.
‘When were you ever not?’ Sheelagh teased. ‘Now, it’s gone midnight here, and we’re horribly jet-lagged so we’re off to bed. Baz sends his love, and we’ll call again in the next couple of days to discuss details.’
As she rang off Lisa closed her eyes and gave a groan of pure joy. ‘This is going to be the most beautiful wedding,’ she murmured.
Reaching for her hand again, David said, ‘Are you still sure about limiting the guest list to fifty? We can always go higher.’
‘No, I think fifty’s a perfect number. If we start going over that we’ll never know where to stop.’
‘So it’s only the musicians and the celebrant who are coming from overseas?’
‘Correct, and I think it’s amazing the way they’re all managing to fit us into their schedules. If you knew how popular Royston’s jazz band is, and everyone who’s anyone wants Heather Shannon to bless their wedding. She lives in Arizona, I’m sure I told you, but she’s flying in from Mumbai when she comes to us. I’ve known her for years. You’re going to love her. Oh, and the flowers are coming from abroad too, at least some of them are. Apparently it’s not the right time of year for lily of the valley, so the florist is arranging to import them from Holland. And my aunt Judith is coming from Paris – we couldn’t leave her out, just because she doesn’t live in this country.’
‘Of course not.’
‘Which reminds me, I really must try to see the caterer while I’m here. He’s French, in case you’d forgotten. He’s coming up with some great suggestions, but Amy and I need to go for a tasting. Actually, you can come too, if you have time.’
With a laugh he said, ‘I probably won’t, but it’s kind of you to offer.’
Casting him a look, she continued listing everything that still had to be ordered, booked, agreed, decorated, or transported, making both their heads spin until finally they were pulling into the gravelled courtyard in front of Amy and Theo’s quaint farmhouse cottage. It was picture-book with its roses and clematis struggling for supremacy over the old grey walls, and a very excited golden retriever leaping up from her vigil outside the front door.
‘Lucy!’ Lisa cried, jumping out of the car to hug her beloved dog, who was actually more Amy’s since she lived here. However, it was Lisa who’d saved her from being sent to the dogs’ home when her previous owners decided to up sticks and decamp to Down Under.
‘Hello, old girl,’ David laughed as Lucy bumped against him, demanding a fussing from him too, though he barely managed more than a pat before she was looping around Lisa again, whipping them both with her wildly enthusiastic tail.
‘I’ve just had a thought,’ David said, as they started round the side of the house. ‘I’m taking Lawrence fishing in the morning, so why don’t I drag Lucy along too? I think he’d like to meet a dog.’
‘That’s a lovely idea,’ Lisa agreed, linking his arm. ‘You’d love that, wouldn’t you Luce,’ she called after the dog who was keenly leading the way, ‘because you’re great with kids, aren’t you, my angel.’
‘Ah, you’re here,’ Theo said, coming out of the conservatory as they appeared on the terrace. ‘I thought I heard the car pull up. Lisa, looking gorgeous as ever,’ he told her, pulling her into a bruising, brotherly embrace, while shaking David’s hand. Though he was easily as tall as David, and his hair almost as silver, he was a far rangier build, making his limbs appear longer and looser and his gait somehow springier. He was also, like David, a good-looking man, but in an earthy, unkempt sort of way, which didn’t immediately cast him as the successful solicitor he was.
‘The girls are under the pergola,’ he informed them. ‘They’ve already started on the margaritas
so you have some catching up to do.’
‘Here already,’ Matilda said, shading her eyes as Lisa came to give her a hug. ‘We were just talking about you.’
‘Now why doesn’t that surprise me,’ Lisa commented, sinking down next to her mother while blowing a kiss to Amy, who was filling two more glasses with cocktails. Matilda Martin’s serene beauty had faded now, but it was plain to see where her daughters, Lisa in particular, got their looks from. ‘How’s life in the fast lane?’ Lisa asked her.
‘Hectic,’ Matilda sighed. ‘I have such a busy social life these days I’ve had to buy a diary. Do you play bridge?’ she asked David.
With a wry smile he said, ‘Not yet, but I’ll be sure to let you know when I do.’
Apparently pleased with the answer, Matilda gave a small chuckle and picked up her glass.
‘I hope you’ve got the wedding in your diary,’ Lisa remarked, helping herself to an olive.
‘Oh, I shan’t forget that,’ her mother assured her. ‘Actually, yours isn’t the only one that week. Cyril and Florence, you met them at the Easter do, they’re tying the knot two days before, would you believe, and wait for this, we girls are having a bit of a hen night next Tuesday.’
Lisa’s eyes rounded as she glanced at Amy. ‘Please tell me what this hen night entails,’ she implored.
With a mischievous gleam, Matilda said, ‘We’re going to live it up at the Cinema de Lux with a cup of tea after. I don’t think we’ve agreed on which film we’re going to see yet. Florence is keen for something a bit risqué, a couple of the others want a horror and the rest of us would rather have a romantic comedy. I suppose it’ll depend what’s on in the end. Are you planning a hen night, darling? If you are, I’d like to be invited.’
‘You’d be top of the list if I was having one, but I probably won’t.’
‘What about you, David?’ Matilda asked. ‘Are you having a stag night?’
His eyebrows arched. ‘Do you know, I haven’t even thought about it,’ he confessed, ‘so I suppose the answer is no.’
