It Takes Two

by Emily Harvale

  Ali turned over in her bed and hugged her pillow to her. By far the best thing that had happened yesterday – surpassing even Aidan’s wonderful kisses – was that there seemed to be a chance her mum and dad might be getting back together.

  It just goes to show, miracles do happen, and that sometimes – only rarely, mind you – love really does last forever.

  With that thought in mind, she pushed her pillow aside, leapt out of bed and dashed into the shower. She was moving back home today, and although last night both Aidan and Simon had offered to help, she had phoned Sasha and asked if she would help, instead. It was only a few cases, after all. She and Sasha could manage those without the help of men. For some reason, Ali didn’t want Aidan or Simon around today. Seeing them together last night had made her feel oddly uncomfortable. And if the looks they had thrown one another had been spears, both men would be dead from their wounds and lying in pools of blood, instead of sitting and scowling at one another whilst downing pints of beer.

  But she wasn’t going to dwell on them today. She was moving home. Her dad was moving home and her mum was coming home from the hospital. The Warner family home might be exactly that once more – the home of the happy and loving Warner family.

  It didn’t take long to pack her things, and by the time Sasha arrived at nine o’clock, Ali had brought the cases downstairs and was sitting on the largest, waiting by the front door.

  ‘Blimey, Ali. You’re keen. How long have you been sitting there?’ Sasha asked, jumping out of the car and opening the boot.

  ‘Not long.’ Ali handed her a couple of cases and grabbed the other two herself. ‘It’s such a lovely morning, I didn’t want to waste a second. May we stop off at Susan’s Bloomers on the way? I want to get some flowers to make the house smell wonderfully welcoming. What flowers do they have in Thailand? I suppose they’re mainly tropical ones. I wonder if Susan will have any. I’d like to bring some of the heady fragrance that surrounded Mum and Dad on their honeymoon. I told you last night, they might be getting back together.’

  Ali climbed into the passenger seat and Sasha started the engine of her Nissan QashQai and drove towards the Warner house.

  ‘Yeah. About that.’

  Ali swivelled in her seat to look at her cousin. ‘What? That sounded ominous. Do you know something I don’t?’

  Sasha nodded. ‘I’m afraid so. Uncle Tom came around to ours last night after he left the hospital and he and Mum had rather a lot to drink. I didn’t hear it all because every time I walked into the kitchen, Mum pointed at the door and said: ‘Brother and sister con flab. Leave.’ So I didn’t have much choice.’

  ‘But you stood at the door and eavesdropped, didn’t you?’

  Sasha threw Ali look. ‘Of course I did. I heard your dad say that the conversation had been progressing exceptionally well and that, unless he was very much mistaken, there was a distinct possibility of a reconciliation … Why does he do that by the way? Always talk as though he’s in court or something?’

  Ali shrugged. ‘He’s a lawyer. What can I say? Get on with it. It all sounds exceedingly promising so far.’

  Sasha tutted. ‘Don’t you start. Anyway, and then he said: ‘It appears that Tabby and I have been proceeding with our lives under a rather large misapprehension. We still love one another. Unfortunately, we had failed to make each other aware of that fact.’ Sasha shook her head. ‘You see. It’s a good thing I’ve got such a fab memory. Any normal person would have said something like: it was all a misunderstanding and we still love one another.’

  ‘For heaven’s sake, Sasha. Please stop criticising my dad’s speech pattern, and tell me why you seem to think there may be a problem.’

  ‘OK grumpy knickers. I don’t think there’s a problem. I know there is. And it’s called, Alejandro.’

  ‘Alejandro!’ Ali’s mouth fell open just as Sasha pulled up outside the house. ‘What’s Alejandro got to do with anything?’

  Sasha shrugged as she stepped out of the car. ‘Don’t ask me. Dad came home, saw me eavesdropping and told me off. I’m sure he thinks I’m still twelve sometimes, instead of thirty-three. He joined Mum and Uncle Tom in the kitchen, and sat on the chair facing the door, so he could see me if I hung around.’

  ‘So that was it?’

  Sasha lifted the cases from the boot ‘No. But all I know for sure is that Alejandro turned up at the hospital after the rest of you had left and your dad wasn’t at all happy about it. I think I heard him say that they had a row and he stormed out. Your dad that is, not Alejandro. But it was difficult to hear exactly what was said because I was leaning over the banister on the stairs and trying not to be seen by Dad. Which obviously failed. He got up and shut the kitchen door and suggested the three of them go and sit in the conservatory. Anyone would think they were having top secret negotiations, not discussing Uncle Tom and Aunt Tabitha’s love life.’

  They walked in silence towards the front door and just as Ali was about to put her key in the lock, she remembered. ‘Bugger! We forgot to stop and get the flowers.’

  Sasha pulled a face. ‘Judging by the mood your dad was in last night and again this morning when I took him coffee, it’ll take a lot more than flowers to sort this out.’

  ‘My key doesn’t work!’ Ali’s skin prickled as an icy river ran through her. ‘Oh my God, Sasha. Either Mum is already home and has changed the locks. Or Dad has. It’s started already.’

  Sasha shook her head and rang the doorbell. ‘I wonder about you sometimes. Even I remember being told that the emergency services had to break in, and your mum’s friend was staying the night so that the door could be repaired and the lock could be replaced.’

  Ali breathed a sigh of relief. ‘Oh yes. I’d completely forgotten. That’s one less thing to worry about.’

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  The first row of the day started early, although it wasn’t so much a row as a complete and utter shock. And it didn’t involve Tabitha and Tom; it involved Ali, Stephanie and a naked middle-aged man.

  ‘Oh good heavens,’ Stephanie exclaimed, answering the door, wearing nothing but a man’s white, silk shirt. ‘What time is it?’

  ‘A little after nine,’ Ali said, stepping inside. ‘It’s good to see you again, Stephanie. It’s been a long time.’

  ‘And you, Ali. My goodness. You’ve changed the colour of your hair. Wasn’t it always blonde? What made you decide on … whatever colour that is? Not that it doesn’t suit you. It’s just … well, so different … and unlike any colour I’ve seen before.’

  ‘Thank you. Change does us all good sometimes.’

  ‘Indeed. And hello, Sasha. It is you, isn’t it? I rarely forget a face. You’re Tom’s niece. We met at one of Tabitha and Tom’s garden parties.’

  ‘Yes. At a barbecue three years ago, I believe,’ Sasha said, rolling her eyes at Ali the moment Stephanie’s back was turned.

  ‘I’ll nip upstairs and get showered and dressed,’ Stephanie said, already on her way.

  ‘Thank you for staying,’ Ali said. ‘And for the door and everything.’

  ‘It was my pleasure. The new keys are in that heart-shaped wooden bowl. Three sets. I settled the carpenter’s and locksmith’s bills. The invoices are there on the hall table. Tell Tom he can settle up with me any time.’

  She dashed upstairs, leaving Ali and Sasha to follow slowly behind, on their way to returning Ali’s belongings to her room.

  ‘Why did Stephanie just go into your room?’ Sasha asked, as they neared the top of the stairs.

  ‘Did she?’ Ali increased her pace and marched along the hall. The door to her room was ajar and she pushed it open, horrified to see that not only was Stephanie now naked in Ali’s ensuite shower room, but that there was an equally naked man in Ali’s bed. And it definitely wasn’t Aidan.

  ‘Who the hell are you?’ Ali shrieked, her cases landing on the hardwood floor with a resounding thud.

  ‘Davidson Throgmorton,’ the man declared, sitting b
olt upright and displaying more of himself than either Ali or Sasha wanted to see. ‘Who the hell are you?’

  ‘Alison Warner. You’re in my bed!’

  Davidson’s face turned the colour of the white sheet, barely covering him; all that bedding would be going to a charity shop after Ali had thrown it in the washing machine.

  ‘I had no idea.’ He scrambled to his feet, attempting to wrap the sheet around him. ‘Please accept my apologies. I came to attend Tabitha’s dinner party but when I arrived, Stephanie told me what had happened. I stayed to be of assistance to her.’

  ‘Mission accomplished,’ Sasha said, grinning from ear to ear.

  Davidson glanced towards the ensuite shower where Stephanie was completely oblivious of the man’s predicament. ‘Perhaps I might ask you if I may quickly use your shower and then I shall dress and leave immediately.’

  ‘Why not?’ Ali said, with a sigh. ‘You’ve clearly used everything else. Help yourself. And don’t rush off on my account. I suppose technically, you’re a guest of my mum’s. She would expect me to offer you breakfast, or coffee at the very least.’

  Davidson looked as if he had tied the sheet too tightly; his face contorted into a pained expression. ‘That’s most kind of you. But one doesn’t wish to overstay one’s welcome and I have suddenly remembered, I need to return to London in somewhat of a hurry. Thank you for your exceptionally kind offer.’ He pointed lamely towards the shower. ‘I’ll just join Stephanie. No. What I meant was … To shower. Not to …’ He coughed loudly and turned away. ‘If you’ll excuse me, ladies.’ He strode manfully to the ensuite, dragging the sheet behind him like an ill-fitting toga, and closed the door behind him.

  Sasha burst out laughing and Ali scowled at her.

  ‘Oh come on,’ Sasha said. ‘You’ve got to see the funny side of this.’

  ‘It’s my bedroom, Sasha. That’s my bed. And that’s my shower. I’m struggling to see anything funny about it at the moment. I’m going to use another room. I may have to have this one fumigated.’

  Sasha’s continued laughter followed Ali along the hall, but the doorbell chiming for all it was worth caused both of them to stop in their tracks.

  ‘That might be Dad,’ Ali said, excitedly.

  ‘Doubtful. Unless those headache pills work miracles. It might be your mum. Although I suppose the hospital will insist on someone picking her up. Is anyone doing that? Because I’m sure it won’t be your dad.’

  ‘I don’t know,’ Ali said, dumping her cases and heading back towards the stairs. ‘I assumed Dad would be. I’ll have to find out. Whoever that is at the door is certainly insistent.’

  ‘It’s probably Gertie,’ Sasha said. ‘You know how much she hates waiting.’

  Sasha was right.

  ‘Good morning, my angel. I hope you’ve got the coffee on. I think I had one too many rum and blacks last night. Is Tom here yet?’

  Ali kissed her gran on the cheek and stepped aside to let her in. ‘No to both, unfortunately. But I’ll make some coffee now and then I’ll phone Dad and find out what’s happening. According to Sasha, the reconciliation may be in tatters.’

  ‘What?’ Gertie was clearly surprised. ‘Sasha? Tell me everything.’

  Sasha repeated what she had told Ali, whilst Ali made coffee and several slices of toast.

  ‘Well that’s not good,’ Gertie said when Sasha had finished. ‘I’ll have to get my thinking cap on. Ali-ba-ba? Why are you making so much toast?’

  ‘Oh you haven’t heard the best bit,’ Sasha said, laughing. ‘There was a naked man in Ali’s bed this morning.’

  ‘Not that Aidan chap?’ Gertie said, frowning. ‘He may be as bright and shiny as a new penny, but I’ve a feeling that Simon’s worth a pound compared to him.’

  ‘Why?’ Ali queried. ‘I thought you liked him.’

  ‘I didn’t say I didn’t. I just don’t like him as much as I like Simon. So who was the naked man?’

  A cough at the doorway heralded Davidson’s presence. He had Stephanie by his side. ‘That would be me, unfortunately.’

  Gertie turned in her chair and looked him up and down, nodding as she did so. ‘I wouldn’t object to finding him naked in my bed,’ she said to Ali. ‘You young girls are so difficult to please.’

  Davidson turned the colour of Ali’s red mug, as Stephanie possessively took his arm.

  ‘Sorry about the confusion in the bedroom department,’ she said. ‘I thought it was a guest room. The couple of drawers and one of the wardrobes I looked in, were empty. It has such a lovely view, which was why I picked it. Not that I saw much of the view in any event. Anyway. No harm done, I hope. We’d better dash. Trains to London on a Saturday leave a lot to be desired.’

  ‘I’ve made toast,’ Ali said, staring at the pile heaped before her.

  ‘That’s very kind,’ Stephanie said, stepping backwards. ‘But I don’t eat wheat, and it’s much later than I realised. Hugs and kisses to Tabitha. Tell her I’ll be in touch.’

  ‘Goodbye and thank you,’ Davidson said, still blushing.

  Sasha burst out laughing yet again.

  ‘What’s so funny this time?’ Ali asked, grabbing a slice of toast and slathering it with butter.

  Gertie chuckled too. ‘Didn’t you notice, my angel? That poor man’s flies were still undone. I don’t think he’ll forget today in a hurry, but he clearly got dressed in one.’

  Chapter Thirty

  The second row of the day was definitely a row, as was the third. Ali tried to prevent the second, and had hoped to avoid the third, even though instinctively she knew that was wishful thinking.

  Sasha had long gone and Gertie was snoring softly on one of the large, comfy white sofas, having eaten several rounds of toast and drunk two full pots of tea. Ali had been trying, unsuccessfully to reach her dad on the phone. Someone needed to pick up her mum and if her dad wouldn’t do it, Ali would have to take a cab and collect her mum herself.

  ‘Finally!’ Ali said, when her dad answered his phone after her eighth attempt. ‘I’ve been calling you for almost an hour and have already left seven messages. Why haven’t you returned my calls?’

  ‘Please don’t shout, darling. I believe my head may explode. I couldn’t find my phone and have only just discovered it in a fuchsia bush in your aunt’s garden.’

  ‘I’ve been calling her too. No one answered.’

  ‘No. I believe my sister and brother-in-law are feeling somewhat hungover this morning. We all had rather too much alcohol and are suffering for our sins. I fear I shall be no use to man or beast today.’

  ‘And what about mum? Someone needs to bring her home. Dad? Are you still there?’

  ‘Yes. As I said. No use to man or beast. Perhaps Alejandro could play the part of the knight in shining armour. I am certain it is a role the man would relish.’

  ‘What happened last night?’

  ‘I got exceedingly drunk.’

  ‘I meant before that, Dad. What happened at the hospital after we all left?’

  ‘Enlightenment.’

  ‘Dad? Are you still drunk?’

  ‘I believe that is a distinct possibility.’

  ‘So explain the enlightenment.’

  ‘It seems I am a fool. I love your mother. She says she loves me. But she’s sharing her bed with a Spaniard. Not that I have anything against Spaniards, you understand. Or any Europeans. Brexit or not. But when they resemble George Clooney, bring roses and romance, it is a little difficult to like them, especially when they’re sleeping with one’s wife.’

  Ali was losing her patience. ‘But you already knew about Alejandro, Dad. And despite what Mum said, he definitely hasn’t moved in, so it can’t all be roses and romance, can it? Perhaps Mum had second thoughts. Perhaps she realised she still has feelings for you.’

  ‘I believe she does. Perhaps it was the Spaniard who had second thoughts? Have you thought about that? I’ve thought about little else? And that’s a lot of thinking.’

 
; ‘I can’t have this conversation with you, Dad. You’re not making any sense at all. You don’t even sound as you normally do. I suggest you take a shower, drink several cups of coffee, have some breakfast and then come around here and sort this out. Because, do you know what, Dad? I am not prepared to go through all the arguing again. I’ll get a cab and collect Mum myself.’

  A few seconds after she rang off, her phone rang again, and she answered it without looking, assuming her dad had immediately phoned her back.

  ‘So are you going to get Mum, or not?’

  ‘Um. Yes,’ Simon said. ‘Of course I’ll get your mum, if you want me to, but there’s no need to shout at me. Does that mean things didn’t work out between her and your dad? I assumed he would be going to get her.’

  ‘Oh God! I’m sorry, Simon. I thought you were my dad. I’ve just had a row with him on the phone. And in answer to your question, no. Things definitely didn’t work out. Alejandro has put a spanner in the works.’

  ‘I’m really sorry, Ali. I know how much it meant to you. But it may not be as bad as you think. There’s still a chance. There’s always a chance.’

  ‘I don’t know. Dad sounded really despondent. Almost as if it’s a competition between him and Alejandro, and he believes Alejandro has won. It’s as if Dad’s given up. As if he is resigned to their fate, and their fate is separation and divorce. Perhaps when he sobers up I’ll be able to talk some sense into him.’

  ‘When I was with him yesterday, it was clear that he still loves your mum. I can understand the competition bit, but can’t understand him giving up. It’s not over until it’s over.’

  ‘It feels pretty over to me. But anyway, are you serious about being happy to collect Mum?’

  ‘Absolutely. Are you waiting for her to call, or shall I just go and see if she’s ready to come home?’

  ‘Um. Someone’s at the door. I’ll call the hospital and call you back after that. Hold on a minute.’ Ali opened the front door. ‘Oh! Oh my goodness.’