Still Waters

by Linda Kavanagh

  In the end, it had all been so easy. She’d visited Willow Haven that weekend, convinced Hannah and her parents to visit the cinema and have dinner, but pleaded lines to learn as the reason she couldn’t accompany them herself. When they’d all left, she’d let herself into Hannah’s house with the back-door key that was always hidden under the mat, and gone through everything in Hannah’s tin box.

  Since Hannah kept all Rosa’s letters in their original envelopes, Ivy was able to jot down the dates and destinations quickly. She did the same with the numerous postcards. She’d put them in date order later, then check them off against the entries in Danny’s passport. She completed her task in less than half an hour, and was back sitting in the kitchen, reading through her script, when her parents returned.

  “That was a great movie, Ivy,” her mother told her approvingly. “What a pity you couldn’t have joined us – I know you’d have enjoyed it.”

  Ivy shook her head ruefully. “I wish I could have gone with you, but you know how urgent it is to get these lines learnt. Maybe I’ll catch it on DVD later.”

  Her father touched her arm. “Thanks, love – it was a great night out, and Hannah enjoyed herself immensely. It was nice of you to include her – she hasn’t been out much since she became ill.”

  Ivy nodded in acknowledgement. “I’m glad she had a good time,” she replied, feeling a total hypocrite. “You all deserved a little treat – was the restaurant okay?”

  “Yes, the food was wonderful!” Eleanor chimed in. “I was amazed at how much Hannah managed to eat – since she got the cancer, she hardly eats anything at all.”

  Peter grinned. “Of course, we had to listen to her waffling on about how wonderful Rosa is.”

  Ivy instantly felt angry at the mention of Rosa, but outwardly she laughed. “Surely you feel the same about Owen and me?”

  Her father chuckled. “Of course we do, love – but we try not to bore people about it.”

  Ivy smiled to herself. Her parents were forever boasting about their children’s achievements. They could certainly give Hannah a good run for her money!

  Eleanor grimaced. “I could put up with Hannah’s ramblings if Rosa showed a bit more responsibility towards her mother,” she said, her eyes glittering angrily. “And I can’t understand why Hannah won’t let her own daughter know that she’s dying.”

  “Look, it’s Hannah’s decision,” Ivy said gently. Inwardly she wanted to kill Rosa, and she longed to tell her parents that Hannah’s daughter was doing a lot more harm than just neglecting her mother. But she kept quiet, and let her mother ramble on about the neighbours, the new factory and Clara Bellingham’s forthcoming wedding.

  “I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s in the family way,” her mother snorted. “She’s only just got engaged, so why else is she rushing to the altar so quickly?”

  Ivy laughed. “So what, Mum? In this day and age, no one cares. If she’s pregnant, then good luck to her!”

  Eleanor pursed her lips, and Ivy wondered if her mother was still smarting from Ivy’s own unplanned pregnancy years earlier. At least attitudes were a lot more tolerant now, and anyway, her parents were thrilled to have a grandson. They’d even hinted on several occasions that it would be nice to have more than one grandchild.

  Ivy herself had been puzzled that she and Danny had never managed to have a child together. Of course, Danny believed that Joseph was his son and, to all intents and purposes, he was a good father. But Ivy had often wondered why she’d never conceived again, especially since she’d never bothered with contraception throughout her marriage, not even after winning the coveted role of Isabella in Bright Lights. A pregnancy could always be written into the storyline, and she’d have welcomed another child, even at the price of her career.

  Now, of course, Danny was the last man on earth she’d want a child with! It was obvious he’d had child with Rosa, and had been hoping to keep her from finding out about his second family. Ivy sighed. She knew her parents would love more grandchildren, so she could only hope that Owen would increase the family quota when he and Charmaine got married.

  “I wonder if Rosa will come back for Clara’s wedding?” said her mother, interrupting her reverie. “They were always good friends, weren’t they, Ivy?”

  Ivy nodded. Clara and Rosa had been friends in school, but she doubted Rosa would never willingly set foot back in Willow Haven. Since she couldn’t be bothered to visit her own mother, it wasn’t likely she’d come back for a wedding. Ivy still occasionally wondered if Rosa could be the mystery caller, and she’d quiz her about the calls when they finally met.

  She bit her lip. She’d need to start thinking of a nice wedding gift for Clara and Bill …

  The following morning, as she jogged past the new factory, Ivy heard tapping on a window. Looking up, she saw Clara Bellingham gesturing for her to wait, and within minutes Clara was at the entrance to the factory offices, where she worked as PA to the managing director. The two women embraced.

  “Oh Ivy – how wonderful to see you!”

  “Clara – congratulations, I hear you’re getting married soon.” Clara blushed. “Yes, on the 19th of next month, to Bill Huggins of all people! We never expected to end up together – we were always arguing when we were kids.”

  Ivy smiled, pleased to see Clara so happy. “Perhaps the attraction was there all the time?”

  Clara laughed. “Maybe you’re right. But we certainly took our time getting together – I’ll be thirty-eight next birthday. Not too late to get pregnant, I hope – Bill and I intend trying for a baby as soon as we get married.”

  Ivy smiled to herself. So her mother was wrong, and she’d enjoy telling her so.

  “Well, I wish you the best of luck,” Ivy told her. “I hope you’ll have lots of fun trying!”

  Clara hesitated. “I don’t suppose you’ll be around for the wedding, Ivy? It’s in the Allcott Arms Hotel, and we’d be delighted if you and Danny could come, but I know you both lead such busy lives …”

  Ivy patted her old friend’s arm. “Thanks, Clara, but unfortunately I’ll be filming steadily all next month,” she lied, “and Danny is opening another new store, so he’s up to his eyes.”

  Ivy had no intention of accompanying Danny anywhere right now!

  “But I’d intended phoning you anyway, to ask what you’d like for a wedding present –”

  Clara turned pink. “Oh, Ivy, that’s not why I invited you – oh dear –”

  “Of course not – we’d be sending you a gift anyway. What about, say, a cooker, or a fridge freezer?”

  “Oh Ivy, they cost far too much! We couldn’t possibly –”

  Ivy laughed. “You’d better tell me which one you want – otherwise the wrong one could turn up at your door!”

  “Oh my God, that’s very generous of you, Ivy – a fridge freezer would be wonderful! But are you sure?”

  Ivy nodded. “Is there any particular make or size of fridge freezer you want? What about one of those big American ones, with drink dispensers in the door?”

  With promises from Clara to provide her kitchen measurements, Ivy was about to leave when Clara tugged at her sleeve.

  “I was thinking of inviting Rosa Dalton to the wedding, but I expect she’s away in some exotic location, as usual.” Clara hesitated. “The Bright Lights studios are in London, aren’t they, Ivy? I don’t suppose you ever run into Rosa there? Then again, maybe you wouldn’t want –” She turned puce. “I mean, you and she didn’t, I mean, after Danny chose you –” Abruptly, she closed her mouth.

  “No, I haven’t seen Rosa since she left Willow Haven,” said Ivy dryly. “But she did send me a congratulations card when I got the part of Isabella – which I thought was rather nice of her.”

  “I still miss her,” Clara added wistfully. “She was such fun. But then, we all move on, don’t we? She leads such an exciting life now …”

  Ivy nodded, handing Clara her business card. She was anxious to avoid any further dis
cussion of Rosa’s merits, since she wasn’t sure that she could continue to maintain an equable demeanour. “Phone me at any of these numbers when you measure your kitchen, Clara. Or you’ll catch me at Mum and Dad’s until tomorrow morning. You remember their number?”

  Clara nodded, and Ivy marvelled at how little the village had changed in twenty years. Same phone numbers, same people. But soon, Harper’s Lake would be due for the biggest change of all.

  That evening, Ivy paid a visit to Hannah Dalton. She always made a point of calling to see her old neighbour when she was in Willow Haven, but on this occasion, she had a decidedly ulterior motive.

  Once again, Ivy was saddened to see that Hannah had deteriorated further, even in the short time since she’d last seen her.

  “Ivy – how lovely to see you!” Hannah said as she opened the door, her gaunt face wreathed in smiles. “Thank you so much for the trip to the cinema and meal out – it was a lovely treat!”

  “You’re very welcome,” Ivy told her, hugging her warmly. “Mum said it was a very good movie. How are you feeling, Hannah?”

  The older woman slumped into a chair.

  “Oh, I’m managing alright. I have good days and bad days.”

  “How’s Rosa?” Ivy felt she had to ask.

  Hannah’s face became animated. “Oh, she’s great – she’s on the New York-Bahamas route at the moment, standing in for a colleague for the next week, and she says it’s an amazing place. According to her, the nightlife is fantastic.”

  “She’s obviously having a wonderful time,” Ivy said, smiling, still inwardly livid with Rosa. Hopefully after her latest stint, Rosa would be back in Hampstead, and Ivy would finally have her showdown.

  Briefly, Ivy wondered who looked after the boy while Rosa was away. Was there a housekeeper or childminder in residence? And did Danny drop by regularly to see his son? Presumably Danny’s wealth would ensure that this child was well looked after – in fact, Rosa didn’t need to work at all. But perhaps she was the kind of woman who needed her own career and independence. Rather like me, Ivy concluded. Danny obviously liked strong independent women.

  “You still haven’t told Rosa about your illness.”

  Hannah looked defensive. “I’ll do it when the time is right, Ivy.”

  As the two women sat in silence, Ivy ventured the question that was the true purpose of her visit.

  “Hannah, didn’t you have a mysterious caller several years ago?”

  Hannah nodded. “Yes, it was very weird – the whispering voice on the phone kept telling me to leave the village, or ‘face the consequences’. I was very scared, I can tell you!”

  “What did Rosa make of it?”

  “She was very worried, and felt I might be safer if I moved nearer to my sister Joan.”

  “But you didn’t.”

  “No, all my friends are here. Besides, I didn’t fancy starting over in another town where I wouldn’t know anyone. Why should I let some voice on the phone drive me out of my own home?”

  “So the police never found out who it was?”

  “No, they assumed it was some crackpot. Anyway, the calls stopped as soon as the police got involved.” Hannah looked at Ivy quizzically. “Why the sudden interest?”

  “Oh, Bright Lights may be doing a scene involving abusive phone calls,” Ivy lied. “It just reminded me of what happened to you.”

  Hannah seemed satisfied with Ivy’s explanation. “Of course, Rosa is still encouraging me to move nearer to Joan – she thinks I’d be happier being close to my sister. But to tell you the truth, Joan can be a bit clingy. And if she knew I was ill, well, she’d drive me crazy with her fussing. No, I intend staying here right to the end.”

  There was little more Ivy could say. But she began to wonder if Rosa could have been her own mother’s mysterious caller? Perhaps she felt that if her mother moved to a new location, she could introduce Danny as her partner without the attendant scandal that would ensue in Willow Haven. Ivy had mixed emotions at the thought. On the one hand, she wished Hannah the joy of knowing her daughter had found someone special, and had a child. But on the other hand, Hannah would undoubtedly be shocked to discover who that special person was!

  Hannah struggled to her feet. “I’ll make us both a cup of tea,” she said, and Ivy didn’t demur since making tea would probably help Hannah to feel useful.

  While Hannah was filling the kettle in the kitchen, the landline rang and Ivy crossed the room to pick up the receiver.

  “Hello?”

  “Hello, Mamma, it’s Rosa. I’m in the Bahamas –”

  Ivy almost dropped the phone, feeling as though she’d lost the power of speech. She hadn’t heard that voice in years! Suddenly, she was transported back to her schooldays, when Rosa had been the centre of attention with her risqué antics and jokes. This was the woman who’d always adored Danny, and who was now sleeping with him!

  “Hello, Mamma?”

  Ivy shuddered. She should probably identify herself, but she found she couldn’t form any words, and her heart was doing uncomfortable somersaults.

  “Hold on a moment –” she eventually managed to say, as the receiver slipped from her fingers and dropped to the floor. Placing it back on the table, she hurried out to the kitchen.

  “Hannah – Rosa’s on the phone!”

  Hannah came rushing in, her eyes aglow as she picked up the receiver.

  “Hello, Rosa!” she said cheerfully. Then her expression changed to one of disappointment. “Oh dear, the line’s gone dead,” she said sadly. “What a pity – I was looking forward to a chat. And you could have spoken to her too, Ivy.”

  Ivy nodded, secretly furious with herself. She’d missed the opportunity of telling Rosa about Hannah’s illness. There would have been ample time to explain the situation before calling Hannah to the phone, but she’d bungled it by letting her own emotions get in the way. Then she’d dropped the phone, cutting off the call before Hannah could talk to her daughter.

  In the silence that followed, Hannah returned to the kitchen to finish making the tea. Ivy wondered if Rosa had been just as shocked at hearing her voice after all these years. Perhaps Rosa had ended the call herself, rather than have to speak to her? If so, Ivy hoped she’d ring Hannah back later, because the older woman was clearly disappointed.

  When Hannah returned and the two women began drinking their tea, Ivy remembered another reason she’d called around. She hadn’t wanted to pique Peggy’s curiosity any further by asking her about the draining of the lake yet again. This time, Hannah might be able to tell her what she needed to know.

  “Hannah, have you heard how the plans for draining the lake are coming along? Have the tenders been awarded yet?”

  Hannah shook her head. “According to last week’s local newspaper, members of the Council are still squabbling over the scale of the project. The cost is a lot higher than they expected. Some councillors want to go ahead immediately, but others are keen to delay it and push for a grant from central government.” Hannah shrugged her shoulders. “I wouldn’t hold my breath – it could be ages before anything happens.”

  Ivy nodded, trying to look nonchalant, but inwardly she was hugely relieved. Time was still on her side. But it wasn’t on Hannah’s, and Ivy realised that her old friend might well be dead by the time the project got underway.

  Quickly, she changed the subject. “Oh, by the way, Hannah, I’ve arranged for another Betterbuys hamper to be delivered to you next week –”

  Hannah raised her bony hands in protest. “No, no Ivy, you’re far too generous! There’s no need –”

  “Of course there is!” said Ivy briskly. “You’re a dear friend and neighbour, and I like being able to spoil you a little. I’ve arranged for the same contents as before – unless there’s anything in it you’d like to change?”

  “No, no – everything in it was wonderful,” Hannah said. “You’re so kind, Ivy. I just wish –”

  As Hannah gazed into the distance, Ivy waite
d, not sure what was coming next. If it was within her power, she’d see that Hannah got it.

  The older woman looked down at her hands. “I’m sorry the way things worked out, I mean, over Danny. I hope that when I tell Rosa – you know, about the cancer – you’ll both be able to put the past behind you, because you’re bound to bump into each other, even if it’s only at my funeral –”

  “For goodness sake, Hannah, Rosa and I will be fine!” Ivy lied. “Please don’t worry about the past – bygones are bygones as far as Rosa and I are concerned.”

  Gratefully, Hannah reached for Ivy’s hand. “Thanks Ivy, you’ve no idea how much that means to me.”

  By now, Ivy felt she’d spent enough time being outwardly supportive of Rosa, and it was time to leave. Otherwise, she was in danger of exploding with anger, and that wouldn’t do Hannah any good.

  “I’d better be going, Hannah,” she said, feigning a yawn and rising to her feet.

  “Of course, Ivy – it was good of you to spend so much time with an old fossil like me.”

  Ivy hugged her as they reached the front door. “Hannah, I enjoy spending time with you. Hopefully, I’ll see you again soon.”

  As she left, Ivy wondered if, indeed, she’d ever see Hannah again. And as she walked in the direction of her parents’ house, she had tears in her eyes.

  The following morning, after a leisurely breakfast, Ivy kissed her parents goodbye.

  “I wish you could stay longer, Ivy,” her mother said plaintively as she placed her travel bag in her car.

  “Yes, love,” her father affirmed, as he hugged her. “You’re only ever here on flying visits lately. Come and stay a bit longer next time.”

  Ivy nodded, her eyes bright with tears. Her parents were the best in the world, yet she always seemed to be using them to cover up something else. Next time, she’d stay as long as she could, and she’d hopefully make her final dive into the lake.