by Susan Lewis
He gave a shrug of one shoulder. ‘I’m kind of ready,’ he admitted grudgingly.
Her heart tripped. ‘Does that mean you’d like me to call him?’
‘Yeah, why not? Sure, let’s do it.’
Pulling out her mobile, she searched for the number, and after pressing to connect she offered the phone to him. ‘Why don’t you say hello?’ she suggested.
As the blood rushed to his cheeks she felt sure he was going to refuse, but then he said, ‘Does he know my name?’
‘Of course he does,’ she laughed.
He shrugged mischievously, then taking the phone he held it so she could hear too. The ringtone stopped and a moment later Nick’s voice was saying hello.
Looking at her, Richie said quietly, ‘Hey, it’s Richie.’
There was the briefest moment before Nick replied, ‘Hello son,’ and Eva clapped her hands over her face to stifle an enormous sob.
An hour later Richie was standing in the kitchen watching his father coming through the conservatory, while Eva stood to one side, watching them both, so full of emotion she hardly even dared to breathe. It was like a dream, a strange and beautiful dream. She could tell that Nick was as nervous and close to the edge as she was, but his eyes were only on Richie – and when, without uttering a word, he pulled his son straight into an embrace, Eva completely lost it.
‘I’m sorry,’ she wept, as they turned to her and started to laugh. ‘It’s just … Seeing you together …’
Nick whispered something to Richie, adding, ‘What do you reckon?’
Richie nodded. ‘Definitely,’ he said, and the next thing she knew she was in an enveloping embrace with them both. It was only when Richie started to break down that Eva pulled away from Nick to wrap her son in her arms. However, embarrassed, Richie turned roughly away.
‘It’s OK, son,’ Nick told him, putting a comforting hand on his shoulder. ‘We’re all crying.’
It was a while before Richie was able to turn back to them, his eyes still wet with tears, his tender young skin scarlet with confusion.
‘Here,’ Eva said softly, handing him a square of kitchen roll.
‘Thanks,’ Nick sobbed, taking it and dabbing his eyes.
Laughing, Richie took the next square and blew his nose. ‘Sorry about that,’ he said. ‘It was just a bit … You know.’
‘I do,’ Nick agreed, his eyes still lit with humour, his damp lashes showing that his emotion was real. ‘We’ve got a lot to talk about, you and me. So much to catch up on.’
‘Do you like rugby?’ Richie asked him eagerly.
‘Mad about it, and I know you play because your mother showed me the pictures. Number eight, huh?’
Richie tried not to beam. ‘I guess they had to choose someone,’ he said modestly.
‘Can I get you anything?’ Eva asked Nick. ‘Tea, coffee, something stronger?’
‘I’m good, thanks,’ he answered, still looking at Richie. ‘So you are my son,’ he declared, sounding both amazed and proud beyond bearing. ‘How lucky can a man get?’
Richie’s head went down shyly, then glancing at Eva he said, ‘Shall I get the odds out again now?’
‘The odds?’ Nick repeated.
‘You wait,’ Richie told him, and hurrying over to the den he opened the door so fast that Rosie and Elvis virtually tumbled out on top of him.
‘Hey! Who are you?’ Nick laughed as Elvis led the charge towards him. ‘And you?’ he added as Rosie skidded to a halt at his feet. ‘What a pair. Aren’t you just something else? Eva, I always knew you liked animals, but a pig!’
‘He’s not just any pig, are you, Elvis?’ Eva protested.
‘Elvis? That is just perfect. And he’s a handsome chap, that’s for sure. But not nearly as gorgeous, or as brazen as you,’ he chuckled, as Rosie rolled on to her back for a tummy rub.
‘Do you think I might have inherited that effect on women?’ Richie wondered innocently.
Eva and Nick blinked, then burst into laughter. ‘You are definitely your father’s son,’ she informed him drily. ‘Now, how about I take the even odder couple for a walk and leave you two to get to know one another – though I’m feeling as though that’s already happened.’
Nick’s eyes were more serious as he looked at Richie again. ‘What do you say we take these guys for a walk?’ he suggested. ‘If you think they’ll come with us,’ he added to Eva.
Gazing down at them despairingly, she said, ‘They’ll go with anyone who’s got a pair of wellies and a pocketful of treats.’
‘Ah, that could be a problem,’ Nick responded. ‘I’m sure you can provide the treats, but I don’t think my feet will fit into your wellies.’
With hardly a moment’s hesitation, she asked, ‘What size are you?’
‘Eleven.’
‘Then problem solved.’ It was only when she went to dig about in the shed while Richie fetched his walkers from the car that she started to feel odd about the fact that Nick was about to step, quite literally, into Don’s boots. She almost wished she could prevent it now, and yet why should she? If anyone belonged here today it was Nick, and if he needed to borrow wellies in order to take his son for a walk then he jolly well could. In fact, as far as she was concerned he could have them.
‘OK, boots are on the feet,’ Nick stated a few minutes later, ‘treats are in the pocket, but already disappearing fast. I guess we’re good to go.’
‘Right with you,’ Richie told him, quickly zipping up his jacket.
‘Are you going to be OK?’ Nick asked Eva.
Smiling all over her face, she said, ‘Some of us have a Christmas tree to decorate.’
‘We’ll help when we get back,’ Richie assured her.
‘Great,’ Nick said, clapping an arm round Richie’s shoulder as they started outside. ‘I’m glad we’re having this time together, because I need some advice and I reckon you’re just the person to give it. I’ve been thinking about auditioning for The X Factor.’
Richie glanced at him, and hardly missing a beat, he said, ‘Cool. What, you mean for the over twenty-fives? What song are you going to sing?’
Almost helpless with laughter, Eva watched them stroll on down through the garden, completely loving the fact that Nick Jensen had definitely met his match in his son.
‘Mum, at last,’ Livvy cried into the phone. ‘Where have you been all day?’
‘I’m at Elaine’s,’ Patty told her. ‘I’m sorry, I should have let you know.’
‘It’s OK, just as long as you’re all right.’
‘I’m fine. Was there anything in particular you needed me for?’
‘No, I don’t suppose so, not really. How long are you going to be there?’
‘Probably until tomorrow, or Monday. There are a few things I need to work through in my mind, and you know how good Elaine is for that sort of thing.’
‘OK, well at least I know you’re in safe hands. You’ll call, won’t you, if you need me?’
‘Of course, but I’ll try not to make it the middle of the night again. I’m sorry about that, I just seemed to lose all sense of time. Would you mind letting Jake know that you’ve spoken to me?’
‘Sure. I’ll call when we ring off.’
‘Thank you.’
‘So I’ll talk to you on Monday about what you might want for Christmas, shall I?’
‘That’ll be lovely, and at the same time I expect you’ll tell me what you want.’
Cheered by her mother’s more familiar irony, Livvy said, ‘Better go then. Lots of love to Elaine,’ and after ringing off she took a deep breath before looking at Jasmine.
‘So at least we know where she is,’ Jasmine stated.
Livvy nodded, but before she could say any more the phone rang again. ‘Hello Perdita’s, Livvy speaking.’
‘Hi, it’s me,’ Eva told her. ‘Just wanted to let you know that Richie’s father is offering to take us all out for dinner tonight, so can you two be back here by seven?’
Livvy blinked her
eyes hard. ‘Who?’ she asked.
‘Richie’s father. His name’s Nick, remember? I promise you’ll like him,’ and the line went dead.
‘Well?’ Jasmine said when Livvy simply stared at her.
‘That was Eva,’ Livvy finally managed. ‘Apparently Richie’s father is taking us out for dinner tonight.’
Jasmine’s eyes widened in amazement.
‘Is it just me, or are you getting the feeling we’re on a different planet to everyone else?’ Livvy demanded.
With a sputter of laughter, Jasmine said, ‘It’s like you said earlier, we’re OK, it’s the rest of them who are weird.’
‘I think I need to speak to Mum again,’ Livvy decided. As she waited for the connection her eyes returned to Jasmine. ‘You realise this could change everything, don’t you?’
Jasmine nodded, then shook her head. ‘How?’
‘I don’t know,’ Livvy confessed, then groaning as she was bumped through to voicemail, she said, ‘Hi, me again. Call as soon as you get this message. It’s urgent – not life-threatening and Jake’s OK, just I need to talk to you.’
*
Since returning from their walk Nick and Richie had brought the Christmas decorations down from the attic, helped drape most of them on the tree and were now slumped companionably in front of a rugby match, yelling and jumping up whenever their team scored (their team today was Wales, apparently), or shaking their fists at the ref every time he made a bad decision, which was every time it went against them, it seemed.
Marvelling at how simple and straightforward things could be at times for men, while feeling she might turn religious just to be able to thank someone for this unbelievable turn her life had taken, Eva carried on with the finishing touches to the tree. Knowing that Richie was going to be with her at Christmas was almost too much to take in, when hardly more than a couple of weeks ago she’d been practically suicidal with the fear of having to spend it alone. Another reminder, she was thinking as she stood back to assess where to put a homeless snowflake, of how right Elaine was about the time wasted worrying or dreading the future, when anything could happen at any time to alter the course you thought you were on. It could also be a caution, she reflected more dismally, not to feel too happy, because that could vanish just as quickly. However, today she’d rather tell herself to forget how contrary life could be and just enjoy the good times now they were here.
Very philosophical, she smiled to herself, as she filled a few more gaps with crystal moons and glittering stars. Then recalling how she’d stiffened in Nick’s arms just now, when he’d only been hugging her to say thank you for letting him spend some time with his son, she began trying to think of a way to make it up to him.
Her first thought was to pay for the dinner he’d so generously invited them to this evening, but that was hardly going to do it when it really wasn’t about money. Perhaps she should invite him to stay over so he could come and watch Richie play rugby tomorrow. As good an idea as that sounded, she’d have to be careful about the way she phrased it to avoid giving the wrong impression, and she should do it privately so that Richie wouldn’t know if his father had a prior arrangement and couldn’t cancel it. Her heart leapt as she considered inviting Nick for Christmas, and maybe she would, even though he’d almost certainly made plans with his daughters by now. However, it wouldn’t hurt to let him know he was welcome, and they could probably work out some other time to get together over the holiday anyway.
Putting aside her decorations as the phone started to ring, she laughed and winced as a giant cheer erupted in the next room. ‘Hello, Eva speaking,’ she said into the receiver.
‘Eva, my dear. How lovely to hear you,’ Elaine said warmly, as though she, Eva, had made the call.
‘Elaine, I have to tell you,’ Eva said, ‘that you spook me sometimes the way you do things. I was just about to pick up the phone and call you, but you beat me to it.’
‘Oh, I do love the way the Universe moves sometimes, don’t you?’ Elaine chuckled delightedly. ‘Or maybe we’ll just call it telepathy. Labels really aren’t important. Shall you go first, or shall I?’
‘You,’ Eva invited.
‘Actually, I have a feeling it should be you.’
Laughing, Eva said, ‘OK, so if I started by telling you that even as I speak Nick and Richie are sitting together in my den, watching rugger, what would you say?’
Elaine gave a gasp of surprise, but her tone was wonderfully droll as she said, ‘I guess I’d have to ask, who’s winning?’
Loving the response, Eva said, ‘I have to admit it feels like me at the moment. Nick’s taking us all for dinner tonight and we’re hoping you might be able to join us.’
‘What a very generous thought,’ Elaine replied heartily, ‘but I’m afraid it’s not possible for me to get away this evening. You will send Nick my best though, won’t you, and thank him for offering to include me.’
‘Of course I will, and we’ll arrange something for another time when you can get away. So now, why don’t you tell me what you rang to say?’
‘OK,’ Elaine responded. ‘It’s just a quick call really, to ask you to come here tomorrow. I would have said tonight, but now I know Nick and Richie are there …’
‘What time?’ Eva interrupted. ‘I have to take Richie to rugby for two.’
‘Of course you do,’ Elaine sympathised. ‘So why don’t we say ten?’
‘That’s fine. I’ll be there. Can I bring anything?’
‘Just you will be perfect. Now, before you go, I know you have a lot on your mind at present, but will you do a small thing for me tonight?’
‘Name it.’
‘Please try to spend some time thinking about your sister and – I’m sorry to inject a sad note into proceedings at the moment – what losing your mother might have meant to her. That’s all I ask, my dear. God bless,’ and she was gone.
Chapter Twenty-Two
The air was still and dank as Eva let herself quietly out of the house just after nine thirty the next morning. In the distance she could hear the musical chime of church bells mingling with the swooping cries of the gulls. As she made her way to the car raindrops dripped down from gutters, while the ground squelched underfoot, still sodden after a torrential downpour during the night. She wondered if it had woken any of her guests. If it had she’d heard no one moving about, nor had there been any signs of anyone so far this morning.
Smiling indulgently to herself as she thought of how much wine they’d managed to consume at the restaurant last night, she got into the car and put the heater on high ready to combat the cold. Even Richie had managed to down a glass or two more than he should have, but it had been such a special occasion she hadn’t had the heart to try and stop him. He might wish she had when he finally woke up, but there didn’t seem much chance of that happening any time soon. When she’d popped up to the top floor to put an ear to his door before leaving he was still lost to the world in the room that he’d claimed as his, next to Jasmine’s.
Eva had suspected, when she’d offered Richie the choice of whichever room he liked, that his unselfish nature would never allow him to request either of the ones that Livvy and Jasmine had made theirs, even though both had a sea view and much more space. He could have gone for the enormous guest room with its own dressing room and bathroom, since she’d have been perfectly happy to redecorate it for him. However, he’d opted for the attic studio with its high, sloping ceilings, vast skylights and twin double beds. There was a bathroom next door which Jasmine had sworn she was happy to share – unless, she’d added later in a quiet aside to Eva, Eva felt it was time for her to move out now that her father was no longer there.
Knowing that both the question and tears were vino induced, Eva had wrapped her in her arms and told her to stop talking nonsense. ‘You’ll always be welcome here, and don’t you forget it,’ she’d scolded gently. Then, with a playful narrowing of her eyes, ‘However, whether you’ll always want to share a bathroo
m with a teenage boy is a whole other thing, but I guess we won’t worry about that tonight.’
The next lot of tears had been Richie’s when she’d hugged him goodnight and the enormity of everything swamped him again. The way he’d clung to her as he sobbed, as though terrified she might let him go again, had made her break down too, and when Nick had found them in such a sorry state he’d gathered them into his arms and cried loudly along with them, which had ended up making them laugh.
Midnight had long gone by the time Richie had finally fallen asleep and she and Nick had crept quietly back down to the main landing. This was when Nick had decided to take his turn at talking nonsense, saying he’d get a taxi to take him to a hotel, or maybe he should call someone he knew in Dorchester to ask them to come and get him. In the end she’d managed to push him into the guest room along with an assurance that she really didn’t think he’d planned this – if he had, she felt sure he’d have at least brought a toothbrush, maybe even a razor. As luck would have it there was a fresh supply of both in the en suite bathroom, and even a brand-new pair of stripy pyjamas in the chest of drawers, she informed him. The look on his face as he’d registered the last generous offer had made her want to howl with laughter.
It was after one by the time she’d finally got into bed herself, exhausted, still a little tipsy, and elated in a way she could never have imagined possible only two short months ago. She wasn’t even missing Don, she told herself, though she had to admit it was him she was thinking about as she turned out the light. It still felt strange not having him there, and a night never passed when she didn’t lie staring into the darkness wishing there was a way to turn back the clock, or at least to make the pain and longing go away. However, last night, in spite of her inner turmoil, she’d managed to close her eyes and say a silent thank you to whoever might be listening for everything that was happening to her now. She knew it was still early days and everyone was on their best behaviour and that some much more difficult times probably lay ahead, but she wasn’t going to allow herself to worry about them now. She was simply going to enjoy the moment and be grateful. She might have drifted off then had Elaine’s call not floated to the front of her mind and pulled her awake again.
