by Susan Lewis
Bundling in behind her, Livvy peeped out again, trying not to be seen as she checked the Passes’ progress. ‘It’s OK, they’re moving on,’ she declared with relief. ‘What a couple of twitheads – or he is anyway, the way he always gets stuff wrong then turns all stroppy when you point it out.’
‘I should have known better than to bother,’ Eva replied with a sigh. ‘All right, all right,’ she laughed, as Elvis started digging his snout into her bag. ‘Just let me get the wrappers off, will you?’
However, Elvis required no such niceties and had already wolfed down an entire chocolate bar, complete with paper, by the time Livvy had managed to ferret out Rosie’s buttons.
‘You’re such a greedy pig!’ Eva scolded, as he attempted to snatch Rosie’s treats. ‘If I didn’t love you so much I’d grill you with tomatoes and eat you for breakfast.’
‘Oh, don’t listen to her!’ Livvy cried, quickly covering Elvis’s ears.
Her reward for such loyalty was a hearty burp, followed by one of Elvis’s cheesiest grins.
‘I swear he’s half-human,’ Livvy chuckled, as Eva handed both animals the kind of chew that would keep them occupied for at least ten minutes (in Rosie’s case a big fat rawhide cigar, and in Elvis’s a bag of Granny Smiths).
‘So,’ Eva said, pulling off her hat, ‘you said you wanted to talk.’
‘I do, about Mum – again.’
Experiencing a beat of concern, Eva said, ‘Do you still think she’s got something going with Dad?’
Livvy shook her head and sighed as she gazed out to where the tide was soughing back and forth from the shore. ‘No, not really,’ she replied, ‘but something’s definitely going on with her, and I was wondering …’ Her eyes were heavy with worry as she turned to Eva. ‘You’d tell me, wouldn’t you, if there was anything wrong with her? I know she’s bound to have sworn you to secrecy …’
Understanding what she was trying to say, Eva said, ‘Livvy, if you’re thinking she’s sick, then you should know that I asked her straight out not more than a week ago and she swore there was nothing wrong. OK, I know that doesn’t mean we should believe her, but if you’ve got any reason to suspect she’s covering something up, I need you to tell me what it is.’
Putting her hands over her face, Livvy inhaled deeply as she shook her head. ‘I don’t know what she’s trying to hide,’ she said raggedly, ‘but last night, it was so weird … It was like she was all over the place and then …’ She swallowed hard and bunched her hands to her mouth. ‘She only started to cry and you know Mum, she never cries.’
Feeling her own concern starting to build, Eva said, ‘But what was she crying about?’
‘That’s just it, I don’t know. We were a bit snappy with each other, mainly because she was so strung out, and then she started saying things like, “You’re so close to Eva.” I thought at first you’d had another row, but then …’ Her voice was mangled by a sob, ‘Then it occurred to me that she was thinking you’d be there for me if something happened to her.’
Oh my God, Eva was thinking. Patty surely hadn’t lied to her about the cancer, she wouldn’t, couldn’t, she’d never get away with it, or not for long, so what would be the point? ‘And I would be there for you,’ she told Livvy, squeezing her hands, ‘you know that, but I’m sure that’s not it. Honestly, I’m convinced it’s not,’ she added, when Livvy kept her head down. ‘But we have to talk to her,’ she said decisively. ‘We’ll drop Rosie and Elvis at the house and go over there now.’
‘There’s no point. She’s gone to some county show over in Devon with Coral and Will, and they’re staying at some friend’s place overnight.’
Well at least Will’s there too, Eva was thinking tartly, unless it was a lie and Patty had gone as cover for Coral and her boyfriend. Hating the idea that her sister might have allowed herself to be used that way, Eva said, ‘When’s she back?’
‘Tomorrow, I think, but I can always text to find out.’
‘Do that. And I’ll have a chat with Coral. Does your mobile work here?’
Livvy checked and shook her head.
‘Nor mine. Come on, let’s start walking back. The sooner we get on to this the better.’
‘Ah, there you are,’ Don murmured sleepily as Eva pushed open the door to the TV room to find him snoozing in front of the cricket. ‘What time is it?’
‘Almost five,’ she replied, going to kiss him on the forehead. ‘Have you been asleep long?’
‘No idea.’ He yawned loudly and gave a luxurious stretch. Then, reaching for her hand, he pulled her down next to him. ‘Nice walk?’ he asked, wrapping her in his arms and inhaling the salty scent in her hair.
‘Mm, lovely,’ she murmured, wondering whether or not to divulge her concerns about Patty. ‘Rosie and Elvis were on form, as usual. They’re drying off in their den now.’ Maybe she’d wait until she’d spoken to Coral, or to Patty herself. ‘Fancy a cup of tea?’
When he didn’t answer she realised he’d half drifted off again, so easing herself gently back to her feet, she started to tiptoe out of the room.
‘Where are you going?’
‘To make a phone call.’
He opened one eye.
‘By the way, I ran into the ghastly Howard Pass on the beach,’ she said, ‘who tried to tell me that you’d just sold out to Dobbs.’
At that his other eye opened. Groaning wearily, he said, ‘That bloke never gets anything right. God knows how he ended up on the flaming council.’
‘A question no one seems able to answer.’
After closing the door behind her, she returned to the kitchen, and taking the phone into the conservatory where she knew she wouldn’t be overheard, she connected to Coral’s mobile.
‘Hi, it’s Eva,’ she said, when Coral answered. ‘I’d like to talk to you. Is Patty in earshot?’
‘Uh, no, not exactly,’ Coral answered cagily. ‘Is everything OK?’
‘I’m not sure,’ Eva replied, running a finger along the prickly fronds of an aloe vera. ‘I need to know if Patty’s confided something in you that … Well, that Livvy and I ought to know.’
There was a moment of nothing more than background noise before Coral said, ‘That you and Livvy ought to know? Like what, exactly?’
Bracing herself, Eva said, ‘Coral, if there’s something wrong with her … If she’s trying to protect us by not telling us that she’s discovered another lump or something … You have to agree that trying to keep something like that to herself is crazy, so will you please …’
‘Hang on, hang on,’ Coral interrupted. ‘I swear, as far as I’m aware there’s nothing wrong with her. Except she works too hard and doesn’t get out nearly enough.’
In spite of it being exactly what she wanted to hear, Eva was still tense. ‘Then if we’re agreed she isn’t sick,’ she said, ‘I think we also have to agree that she’s stressed about something, and frankly, Coral, I can’t help wondering if the strain of trying to support you through your relationship is starting to get to her.’
There was a horrible, loaded pause, before Coral said, ‘I’m really sorry, Eva, you’re probably right, I haven’t given it enough thought, but I promise I will from now on.’
Feeling awful now, since she’d known Coral long enough to be aware that beneath the vampy veneer beat a very kind heart, Eva said, ‘Thank you. I hope you don’t think I’ve spoken out of turn …’
‘No, no not at all.’
‘… and actually you’re right, my sister doesn’t get out enough, so we probably ought to try and do something about that. Anyway, I’ll leave you to get on with your weekend now. Please don’t tell her I rang.’
‘No, course not.’
A few minutes later, after relating most of her conversation with Coral to Livvy, she said, ‘So I really don’t think it is the worst-case scenario, which is what matters the most.’
The relief was audible in Livvy’s voice as she replied, ‘Thank God for that, but I still say we should s
peak to her.’
‘Absolutely. Have you managed to find out when she’s planning to come back?’
‘Tomorrow lunchtime, apparently, but she’s going straight to Horizon View, she said, and should be there all afternoon. So I’ve told her she has to be at home tomorrow evening because we’re coming over and that’s that.’
Easily able to imagine Patty’s reaction to being bossed around by her daughter, Eva smiled wryly to herself as she said, ‘I guess you didn’t tell her why?’
‘All I said was that it’s been ages since the three of us got together properly, so we’re bringing takeaways and a bottle of wine so she doesn’t have to cook, or shop, or do anything except kick back, get wicked and enjoy herself.’
‘Well done,’ Eva laughed. ‘We can pick something up from the Olive Tree or Waitrose and go straight there from the shop.’
‘That’s what I thought. So I’ll see you in the morning?’
‘First thing. We’re expecting a delivery from Rowland’s, don’t forget,’ and after ringing off she took herself back to the kitchen to make a steaming pot of Darjeeling for Don.
‘Here we are,’ she said, pushing open the door with her foot as she came in with the tray.
Clicking off his mobile, he sat up to clear a space on the table and used the remote to reduce the sound on the TV. ‘Perfect,’ he declared, as she started to pour.
‘Who was that on the phone?’ she asked as he helped himself to a digestive.
‘Oh, just one of the guys. So, did you make your call?’
‘I did, and happily everything seems to be more or less fine.’
‘And you thought it wouldn’t be because?’ he prompted, taking the cup she was passing him.
‘Oh, because I probably worry too much, especially where my family’s concerned.’
Taking a sip, he nodded agreement. ‘And which of us fortunate few were you checking up on today?’
She grimaced. ‘As a matter of fact it was Patty, but I think it was just a case of making mountains out of molehills. Anyway, Livvy and I are going to see her tomorrow evening to make sure everything really is all right with her.’
He seemed perplexed. ‘And why do you think it wouldn’t be?’
Sitting cross-legged in front of him she said, ‘She’s seemed quite stressed lately, and apparently she got upset with Livvy last night in a way that isn’t very like her.’
She took a sip of tea. ‘But actually, do you know what I really think the problem might be?’
‘Tell me.’
To her surprise, a sudden rush of tears sprang to her eyes. ‘Oh God, I hate the thought of this,’ she said, trying to fan them away, ‘but I think she could be lonely.’
‘Oh, Eva,’ he murmured with a laugh, ‘how can she ever be that when she’s got someone who loves her as much as you do?’
‘I don’t mean lonely for a sister, or a daughter, or a son. I mean lonely for someone to share her life with.’
When he didn’t answer she lifted her eyes to his.
He gave a lame sort of smile. ‘I guess you know best about these things,’ he said, ‘but she always strikes me as someone who copes very well on her own.’
‘I’m afraid you would think that because you’re a man, but if you know someone … I mean someone single and suitable. We could throw a small cocktail party, or a dinner …’
‘Evie, it might not be a good idea to interfere.’
‘She’s my sister. I have to do something.’
He still wasn’t looking convinced.
‘I want her to be happy,’ she said, ‘and I know you do too.’
With a sigh, he leaned forward to put his cup back on the tray. ‘OK, I’ll give it some thought,’ he promised, ‘and now, if you don’t mind I’d like to watch the rest of this match.’
‘Oh, for heaven’s sake, you two,’ Patty laughed as she refilled their glasses with wine the following evening. ‘The way you get yourselves all worked up over nothing shows I’ve failed completely when it comes to getting you to see sense. So I had a little cry on Saturday night. Big deal. Are you telling me it’s not allowed?’
‘No, of course not,’ Livvy assured her. ‘It’s just really rare for you to get down and …’
‘… and so it happened for five minutes and you start thinking it’s time to get on the phone to the undertaker.’
‘All right, maybe I overreacted,’ Livvy conceded, ‘but Eva was worried too, weren’t you?’
‘Absolutely,’ Eva confirmed, swallowing her wine. ‘Even Coral said she thinks you’ve been overdoing things.’
Turning to put the wine back in the fridge, Patty muttered, ‘Coral’s a one to talk. Now, would someone care to pop the samosas in the oven while I go to fetch some more wood for the fire?’
‘There’s loads right there,’ Livvy declared, pointing to the huge stone hearth, where an enormous basketful of logs was practically spilling its contents on to the floor. ‘Oh God,’ she groaned ecstatically, ‘I so love it in this kitchen when the fire’s lit and something’s baking and rain’s running down the windows. It reminds me of when I was little and I used to snuggle up in someone’s lap and fall fast asleep feeling like a princess safe from all the bad things going on outside.’
‘And boy, were you a princess,’ her mother responded drily. ‘Almost as bad as this one,’ she added, prodding Eva. ‘In fact, there’s a good chance you might have been worse.’
‘Not possible,’ Livvy protested.
‘I know for a fact that you were,’ Eva told her.
‘And you are sure of that because you have cleverly blocked out how precious you were in your early years,’ Patty remarked, returning to the fridge for more wine.
‘Hang on, we’re both driving,’ Livvy reminded her, when she made to top up the glasses again.
‘Mm, shame,’ Patty retorted, ‘but I’m not, so cheers girls. Great to see you both. Oh, and Jake sends his love. We had a long chat just before you got here. He’s loving Sicily and is now thinking he might give up the law after all to become a full-time model. I told him if he does he can be the one to break it to his father.’
Though Eva and Livvy laughed, Livvy sounded concerned as she said, ‘He wasn’t serious, was he?’
‘Oh, for heaven’s sake, what on earth has got into you two tonight?’ Patty cried. ‘You know how he likes to say these things to wind us up, and it’s usually me who falls for it, not you.’
‘It’s great that he’s having a good time,’ Eva said quickly. ‘I knew he would, especially with Bobbie around. Did you speak to her too?’
‘As a matter of fact, no, but she did shout hi from a barstool, apparently, with an invitation to go and join her any time,’ she took a quick gulp of wine, ‘and frankly I felt quite tempted – except Jake tells me I wouldn’t be able to handle so many fit young studs under all that sun … Actually, we probably ought not to go into what he really said, because I, for one, was shocked and extremely thankful he wasn’t speaking to his father.’
After exchanging a glance with Eva, Livvy said, ‘Actually, Mum, about Dad. I know you keep saying you’re not seeing him …’
‘Livvy, I see that man all the time and wish I didn’t. I’m sorry to say that to you, but honestly, he’s been driving me crazy. Never in my life have I been treated to so many lectures, or so much … stupidity. Is what I do any of his business? No! Do I want to listen? No! Does he care? Absolutely not, because he just keeps on and on ringing me up, dropping in, texting or emailing his irritating instructions on how I should run my life. His latest little nugget … Wait for this … He thinks I should join an Internet dating site.’
Stunned, but nonetheless impressed that Reece had come up with the same good idea that they had, Eva and Livvy avoided each other’s eyes as Eva said, casually, ‘You know, I don’t think you should dismiss it just like that. I mean, it’s pretty hard to meet men these days, especially the type who’d be good enough for you.’
Patty was staring at her in
amazement. ‘Frankly, Eva, I don’t care what you, or Reece, or anyone else might think,’ she retorted angrily, ‘it isn’t going to happen.’
‘OK, there’s no need to bite my head off,’ Eva cried.
‘But Mum, everyone does it now,’ Livvy told her. ‘It’s nothing to be embarrassed about, and we’d go online with you to help vet them. If nothing else, it could be a bit of a laugh.’
Patty was clearly far from amused. ‘For you, maybe,’ she said shortly, ‘for me it would be a complete waste of time – of which I have precious little as it is. So, now, shall we change the subject?’
Livvy turned to Eva.
‘Actually, no,’ Eva stated. ‘We agree with Reece’s suggestion because we love you and we’re worried that a) you’re working too hard; and b) you’re lonely – and don’t start trying to tell me that’s rubbish, because I know you are and you don’t have to be. You’re a beautiful woman, Patty …’
‘All right, that’s enough,’ Patty growled. ‘You’ve had your say, I’ve already given my answer, so moving on …’
‘Mum, if you don’t start doing something now, before we know it life will have passed you by and you’ll be wondering why you’re growing old all on your own.’
‘Oh, for heaven’s sake, you talk such nonsense sometimes,’ Patty snapped, reaching for her glass.
‘It’s not nonsense,’ Livvy insisted. ‘It’s a fact that could come true.’
Patty threw her a scathing look. ‘If this is all you two want to talk about then I suggest you carry on without me,’ she said, and snatching up the bottle she started to sweep out of the room.
‘What the hell’s the matter with you?’ Eva shouted, going after her and grabbing the bottle back. ‘Anyone would think we’re trying to get you to do something life-threatening or insane. It’s just dating, Patty. Everyone does it …’
‘I don’t want to date anyone, OK?’ Patty raged. ‘They’re cheating bastards, the lot of them …’
‘Don’t talk rubbish. I know you’ve been hurt, but there are plenty of decent men out there …’
Patty’s scoff was derisory. ‘That’s what you think.’
‘Why wouldn’t I when I’m married to one? So, if we could find you someone like Don …’
