“Well, I think you’re amazing,” Jasmine replied with a lump in her throat.
“I never thought I’d have a girlfriend like you,” Alastair confided. “Thanks for sticking up for me.”
“So you heard all that!”
“It happens all the time.”
Jasmine felt her pulse quickening. It infuriated her that there were still so many insensitive individuals around but she took a deep breath and started up the engine. Time to forget about it for now. They only had an hour to get ready. “My dad confirmed that table for tonight,” she reminded Alastair. They were going out for a meal with Jasmine’s dad, Kenneth, and Alastair’s mum, Thomasina, a sign that both parents had accepted that they were in a serious relationship. It would be the first meeting between the two other than a brief encounter at Grant and Imogen’s wedding party. Alastair had already left a change of clothing at Jasmine’s flat so they went there to freshen up. Forty minutes later they were stepping into their taxi.
The two young people arrived at the restaurant first and were shown to a table by the window and handed menus. They each ordered a gin and tonic and sat down side by side, leaving the two seats opposite them for their respective parents. “This is cosy,” Jasmine remarked happily, glancing around her and taking in the open kitchen, the trendy wine-rack along one wall and the tastefully laid tables, half of which were already occupied. “We’ll be able to see them coming from here.” Their drinks arrived and they both took a sip. Jasmine sighed with contentment. “It’s good to see Dad getting on with his life,” she declared. “I can’t get over how well he has accepted everything with Mum moving away. I really miss her but she seems to be happy with that man.”
Alastair laughed. “That man! You still refuse to call him by name.”
“OK, Douglas then. She seems to be happy with Douglas.”
“Here he comes now.”
Kenneth was walking past the window. He spotted his daughter and gave her a friendly wave, then came in through the door and headed over to the table. He gave Jasmine a hug and shook Alastair by the hand. “So, how was your day?” he asked brightly as he hung up his coat on a hook behind the table.
“Busy,” said Alastair.
“Not bad,” Jasmine declared. “But what about you, Dad? I worry about you on your own.”
“Hey, it’s my job to worry about you,” Kenneth replied. “You’re still my little girl.” He indicated to the waiter that he would also have a gin and tonic, which arrived promptly.
“You know what I mean,” Jasmine persisted. “I’m still angry with Mum for what she has done to you. And I still can’t understand why you didn’t fight harder to keep her. Do you think she’ll ever come back? Would you take her back if she did?”
“Those are awkward questions, Love. Let’s leave it for tonight and enjoy our meal. But, for the record, I would do anything for your mother. She’s still my wife and I still love her. I don’t want to hear anyone badmouthing her.” Kenneth immediately changed the subject and started chatting to Alastair about the garden centre and asking him why he had been so busy. Jasmine listened as her boyfriend related a few amusing tales about his day at work but, in reality, her thoughts were on her father’s strange response to her questions. If he stills loves Patricia so much, why has he just let her go into the arms of another man, complete with financial security and no recriminations? It didn’t make any sense but she didn’t have time to analyse her thoughts any further because she suddenly spotted Thomasina at the window.
“Here’s your mum,” Jasmine announced, interrupting the conversation. Alastair stood up to greet her.
“Hi Mum, you remember Jasmine’s dad, Kenneth.”
“It’s lovely to meet you properly, Kenneth. I’m Thomasina. Or Tamsin, if you prefer. It’s less of a mouthful.”
“I think it’s a lovely name,” Kenneth answered. “Reminds me of Thomas Hardy.”
“Ah, yes, The Return of the Native. I think that’s where my parents got it from. Are you a fan too?”
“I am indeed.”
Jasmine and Alastair exchanged a smile. At least that was one topic of common interest to keep some conversation flowing. Thomasina gave Jasmine a hug and sat down opposite her son and next to Kenneth. They all picked up their menus and started to consider the various options. Kenneth ordered a drink for Tamsin and a refill for himself.
“It all sounds delicious,” Jasmine commented, “and smells even better.”
“I like the look of that goat’s cheese fritter,” Thomasina replied, eyeing the dish that had just been set down on a neighbouring table. “I think I’ll go for that.”
“The steaks are amazing in here,” put in Kenneth, downing his second gin. “Patricia and I used to come here the odd time.”
“I’m going to have the wild mushroom linguini,” Alastair decided.
Soon they had all chosen a starter and a main course. The waiter took their order and collected the menus back in. They opted to share a bottle of red wine and some sparkling water.
“Don’t they make a lovely pair,” Kenneth remarked, waving a finger across from his daughter to her boyfriend.
“I am really happy for Alastair,” Thomasina replied. “I think Jasmine is a lovely girl. My mother and my sister love her too.”
“That’s Patricia’s friend, Cathy. Your sister.”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Small world.”
“I’m sorry the way things have turned out for you. You must be having a difficult time adjusting. It’s still very early days.”
“Life hasn’t treated you very kindly either.”
“No, I’ve been a widow for over twenty-six years.”
“And you never met anyone else?”
“I didn’t have time. In the beginning it was all about Alastair. He had special needs. Learning difficulties. And so many hospital appointments and operations.”
“It’s hard to believe now. He’s grown into such a lovely young man. You should be very proud.”
“He’s still not a hundred percent in some ways. You don’t worry about Jasmine becoming too close to him?”
“Absolutely not. I have never seen her so happy.”
Jasmine and Alastair were only vaguely aware that their parents were talking about them. They were, for the moment, absorbed in their own thoughts and feelings for one another and sharing private murmurings of love, their hands clasped firmly beneath the table.
“Soup?” enquired a friendly waitress, balancing two bowls with accompanying homemade wheaten bread.
“Yes, that’s for me, thanks,” said Jasmine.
“And over here,” echoed Kenneth.
“Salted and chilli squid?”
“Mmm, that’s mine,” Alastair pronounced.
“And the goat’s cheese fritter for yourself, then?” She placed the dish down in front of Thomasina.
“Thank you, yes. That looks scrummy.”
Every dish was cooked to perfection and full of colour and flavour. All the tables were fully occupied by now and there was a lively buzz of conversation filling the atmosphere along with some unobtrusive Ed Sheeran music in the background. Jasmine felt very relaxed. Kenneth poured everyone a glass of wine. “Your mother doesn’t know what she’s missing,” he stated, taking a large gulp of his own.
Thomasina gave him a sympathetic smile. “I hope it’s just a temporary blip,” she said kindly. “It’s clear that you miss her very much.”
“I do. We were together for twenty-eight glorious years. But more than anything I want her to be happy, so if that means that she stays away for good, so be it.”
“Raymond and I only had six years before he died. Tomorrow will actually be my wedding anniversary. Thirty-three years since we tied the knot.” It was barely a whisper but she managed to remain dry-eyed as she said it. Jasmine reached across
and squeezed her hand. Kenneth refilled his glass.
“A car accident wasn’t it?”
“Not so much an accident. An unlawful killing. Hit and run.”
“Shocking. Absolutely shocking. I’ll just go and order another bottle.” Kenneth went over to the bar.
“Your dad is drinking a lot,” observed Alastair. “He’s more upset about your mum leaving than he likes to admit.”
“I know.” Jasmine excused herself and went to the ladies’ restroom. But as she passed the bar she overheard her father speaking to a friend, who had asked him how he was coping on his own. Jasmine was confused by his reply.
“I’m better off without the bitch. Turns out she was cheating on me for years. Her fancy man is welcome to her.”
“I hope you have a good lawyer in that case,” the friend replied. “You don’t want her getting away with any of your assets.”
“The spiteful cow has already got half of everything and damn cunning she was about it.”
Jasmine hurried past before he would spot her. She used the facilities and returned to the table to find that the main courses had been delivered and her father had already made a start on the second bottle of wine. He was beginning to slur his words. At this rate he was going to embarrass her in front of Alastair’s mum.
“So it should have been thirty-three years and you only got six,” he was now saying. “That’s a sad story.”
Thomasina blinked at him, surprised that he had returned to the topic.
“And some bastard just knocked him down and left him to die. Was it at least instantaneous? He didn’t suffer?”
“Dad!” Jasmine was enraged.
Tears came to Thomasina’s eyes. “That’s something I’ll never know,” she sobbed. “It’s been the worst aspect of the whole thing. The sleepless nights I’ve had, wondering whether he could have been saved if help had arrived in time.”
“No, no, you don’t have to worry about that. He was already dead.”
They all stared at him. How could he possibly know that? Kenneth took another huge gulp from his wine glass. Jasmine moved the bottle out of his reach. “Phone for a taxi,” she muttered to Alastair under her breath. “I’ve got to get him out of here.” Then she looked imploringly at Thomasina. “I’m so sorry,” she breathed. “I don’t know what’s got into him. I hope you won’t hold it against me.”
Meanwhile Kenneth was realising what he had said. “That’s what you have to believe,” he stammered. “Don’t torture yourself about it. He died on the spot and there was nothing anyone could do to bring him back.”
How could any of them have known that, in his drunken fug, he was seeing a totally different person, dead to the world, his bulging eyes staring blankly into the heavens?
The taxi arrived and Jasmine bungled him in, giving the driver both the fare and the address. Kenneth managed a slurred apology and promised to go straight to bed, assuring his daughter that he did not need any assistance. He was just a bit tipsy.
“Understatement of the year,” Jasmine muttered, feeling very embarrassed as she rejoined her boyfriend and his mother, who both laughed it off and told her not to worry. The man was obviously under a lot of stress. But she did worry. Until he called to let her know that he was safely at home and in bed.
“Well, that’s enough drama for tonight,” Alastair remarked. “Why don’t we order some desserts?” Just as he spoke, one of the staff members came over to inform them that Mr Campbell had phoned in his credit card details to pay the bill and had insisted that they would all stay on to enjoy desserts and coffee, explaining that he had left early since he was feeling unwell. Jasmine breathed a sigh of relief. He can’t have been that drunk. But his behaviour had been very strange.
About twenty minutes later, when their sweet choices had been ordered and eaten, Jasmine was aware of some movement past their table as several people left the restaurant at once and a few late-comers arrived. And suddenly she heard someone address her by name.
“Jasmine! Alastair!” It was their friend, Maggie. “I never noticed you over here.”
“Hi Maggie.” Jasmine responded, pleased that the commotion caused by her dad had clearly gone undetected by other customers. “We’re just about to have coffee if you want to join us.”
“OK, that would be lovely. I’m with my mum. She’s just gone to the toilet. Oh, here she comes now.”
“No problem. You can squeeze in here beside us. The more the merrier.” Maggie eased herself onto the bench next to her friend and Greta took the spare seat beside Thomasina. Jasmine was on the verge of making the necessary introductions when Maggie suddenly spoke first, extending her right arm across the table to shake hands with Thomasina.
“It’s lovely to meet you, Mrs Campbell,” she gushed. “Jasmine and I have become great friends. We share a love of painting. And I know your son, Sam, as well. Tania is my sister-in-law.”
Jasmine laughed. “You’ve got it wrong, Maggie. This isn’t my mum. It’s Alastair’s mum, Thomasina Henning. Thomasina, this is my friend, Maggie Hopkins and her mother. It’s Greta, isn’t that right? I met you at the wedding.”
“Alastair’s mother!” Maggie exclaimed, aghast. “Oh, I didn’t realise.” Greta looked as though she had seen a ghost.
“Is Lawrence not with you tonight?”
Neither of them answered but he obviously wasn’t. There was no sign of him.
“Sorry, I don’t think we have time for coffee after all,” Maggie bluffed, her face flushing bright red. “I just remembered there’s somewhere else we need to be.” She stood up, looking flustered, but Greta sat on as they all noticed her eyes filling up with tears. She started to shake like a leaf.
“Come on, Mum. Let’s go,” Maggie urged, reaching for her mother’s arm and averting her gaze from everyone else. Greta just shook her head.
“What’s going on?” asked Alastair.
“I think my mum wants to talk to yours,” Maggie said hesitantly, looking for some sign that she was correct. Greta managed a nod, her heart lurching and the tears now streaming down her face. Instinctively Jasmine, Alastair and Maggie all moved away, leaving the two older women alone at the table. Greta grabbed Thomasina’s hand and clasped it tightly in both of hers.
“I wrote you a letter,” she confessed in a broken voice, as Thomasina’s head began to spin. “I’m Marguerite.”
Chapter 23
“So how was your night out with Dad?” Sam asked his sister, looking at his watch. What was she doing here so early on a Sunday morning? He wasn’t even dressed yet.
“We were asked to leave,” Jasmine replied, her face expressionless.
Sam scowled in disbelief. “What do you mean?” he demanded.
“We were asked to leave,” she repeated with a sigh. “Kicked out of the restaurant. And that was after we had already sent Dad home in a taxi, drunk out of his mind. I will never be able to show my face there again.”
“Dad was drunk?”
“I think he’s having a breakdown.”
Tania strolled into the room in her yellow dressing-gown, Stevie in her arms, wearing nothing but a nappy. “You’ve caught us napping,” she joked, not having heard Jasmine’s remarks. “Coffee?”
Jasmine looked her straight in the eye. “Do you know who your brother is married to?”
Tania gave her a curious look. “Last time I checked she was your best friend. Whatever has happened?”
“She’s only the daughter of the thug who ruined my boyfriend’s life, the bastard who killed his father.” Jasmine burst into tears. Tania just stared at her open-mouthed.
Sam looked confused. “Where does Dad come into this?”
“He doesn’t. It just all happened the same night, one disaster after another. It was horrendous.”
Stevie seemed to detect the tension in the room and started to cry. Ja
smine wiped the tears from her cheeks and glanced from her brother, clad in creased black boxer shorts and a grey tee shirt, to his fiancée and the naked baby. “I’m sorry,” she sniffed. “I shouldn’t have come round so early.”
“Just give us a few minutes,” Tania soothed as they both scuttled back to the bedroom to get dressed. “Why don’t you make yourself a coffee?”
Sam returned in a couple of minutes and urged his sister to start from the beginning and tell him what had happened. She filled him in on the night’s events.
“So he was quite upbeat at the start of the meal?”
“Absolutely. And perfectly charming to Alastair’s mum.”
“But he was drinking too much?”
“In the end I had to move the wine to the other end of the table. But it was too late.”
“And he spoke positively about Mum?”
“At the table, yes. But then I heard him slating her to one of his friends at the bar. He called her a spiteful cow!”
“He’s just trying to save face. Put it down to a bit of bravado.”
Jasmine shuddered at the memory. “It was when he started quizzing Thomasina about what had happened to her husband and assuring her that the man wouldn’t have suffered. Things he knew nothing about! It was so embarrassing. I couldn’t get him to shut up.”
“You did the right thing, sending him home.”
“The restaurant staff were very understanding at that stage. We all pretended he had been feeling ill and they appeared to accept that.”
“So why did they ask you to leave?”
Tania came back in, dressed now in jeans and a sweater, and strapped Stevie into his bouncing cradle with a breakfast drink. He smiled at them all, kicking his chubby little legs in delight as he sucked at the bottle. Jasmine continued her story.
“When Maggie invited me to her wedding last November, I remember there was a mix-up about Alastair’s name. She had put Cartwright on the invitation and she acted very strangely when I told her it was actually Henning. She practically ran from my apartment. But then she delivered a new card and it was never mentioned again.”
Double Cheque Page 15
