by Hannah Ellis
“Oh.” I looked at the picture nearest to us and noticed a red dot next to the price. I scanned the other pictures, but most were too far away to see.
“All of them,” Ollie said with a boyish smile.
“They all sold? Already?”
“The day they went up,” he told me proudly.
“Really?” I struggled to speak through the lump in my throat. He nodded. I reached for a fresh napkin and openly dabbed at my eyes.
“Maybe you want to call Adam and tell him the good news?”
More tears welled and he smiled kindly at me. “He doesn’t know you brought them in, does he?”
I shook my head, feeling pathetic. “Should I be worried you’ve put us in a difficult position?”
I shook my head again. “Not as far as the photos are concerned. Adam always intended to sell them. Life just got in the way. And I think he was always scared that they wouldn’t sell.” I took a deep breath. “He’s going to be so mad at me, though.” I was such an idiot. Just when we might finally be getting back on track. I was going to ruin it all.
Ollie nodded at the barman, who got me another cocktail and handed Ollie a bottle of beer.
“I hate to complicate your life further,” Ollie said. “But Jonathan and I didn’t reserve our pictures before we hung these in here, so you still owe us two.”
I caught his sly smile and laughed. “You’ll get them.” I finished off my cocktail then started on the next.
“See this one?” Ollie pointed to a photo hanging on the back wall. “The guy who bought this told me that he used to play there as a kid and whenever he’d been back as an adult it was never quite as he remembered, even though nothing had really changed. He said the photo was like someone had taken a picture of his childhood memories. It’s the angle of the sunlight: it makes everything sparkle and glow.”
I remembered something Adam had said once. “Adam told me he finds a spot he likes and then goes back at different times over weeks or months, waiting until the light is exactly right and everything is perfect.”
“I wish I had that kind of talent,” Ollie said.
“Looks like you’ve done all right for yourself,” I said, glancing around the busy bar.
“True. I can’t complain. And this is nothing; you’ve not even tasted the food yet. Come on, let’s go and say hi to Jonathan and annoy the chef a bit while we’re at it!”
After a quick tour of the kitchen, I sat at the back of the stunning restaurant with Ollie and Jonathan, enjoying yet another cocktail and their easy company. Ollie had filled Jonathan in on the situation with Adam. Jonathan hadn’t seemed entirely surprised.
“I forged his signature,” I told them, the alcohol buzzing through my system. “On the contract.”
They exchanged a glance and Ollie raised his eyebrows. “Did she just say something?” he asked Jonathan, mirth in his voice.
Jonathan shook his head. “I didn’t hear anything. Are you hearing voices again?”
“I’m serious,” I said. “I feel bad. I can’t believe I forged his signature.” I went unheard as Ollie and Jonathan stuck their fingers in their ears and drowned me out with some awful singing. “Okay, okay! I’ll shut up.”
“So when are you going to tell him?” Ollie asked.
“I don’t know.”
“The sooner the better, I should think,” Jonathan said. “You don’t want him to find out from someone else.”
“I hadn’t even thought of that,” I said, lowering my head to the table. When I looked up, they were smiling at me.
“It’ll all be okay,” Jonathan reassured me, lifting his glass to mine.
“I’ll drink to that.”
Chapter 50
On Friday, Sarah hugged me goodbye and I walked out of St Jude’s Primary School for the last time. It was the last day of the summer term, and I was carrying enough wine and chocolates to last me through the summer holidays. I had hand-made cards from the kids, and flowers and bath sets too – I had to make two trips to the car.
For a moment, I looked back at the school, and then, with a heavy heart, climbed into the car and started the engine. After a second, I turned it off again and leaned my head against the headrest. Why was I crying? I was only vaguely aware of a car pulling into the parking space beside mine, and jumped when there was a knock on my window.
“What are you doing here?” I asked Adam, my hands shaking as I opened the car door and stepped out.
“I finished work early. Thought I’d stop on the way home and see if I could catch you.”
“Thanks,” I said, avoiding his gaze so he wouldn’t see my tears.
When he wrapped his arms around me, I rested my head on his chest. “Everything will be okay,” he told me gently.
“I know.”
“You’ll find another job,” he said.
“I know.” I was glad he’d turned up and I was impressed he was making so much effort. “But I liked it here.”
“You’ll like it somewhere else too.”
I wiped at my eyes and took a step away from him. “Thanks for coming.”
“Are you doing something to celebrate the end of term?”
“I’m going out with Chrissie and Matt,” I told him. “At least, I’m supposed to be. I don’t really feel like going out.”
“I don’t think you’ll have much choice if Chrissie is involved. You’ll be off to Dylan’s pub, I guess?”
“I imagine so.”
“It’ll be fun.”
“Yeah.” I wanted to ask him to come along but hesitated too long, unsure whether I should.
“Are you coming over this weekend?” he asked.
“Yeah.”
“Good,” he said. “Have fun tonight and give me a call, okay?”
“Okay.” I hated watching him leave.
I drove straight to Dylan’s. Matt was propping up the bar. He gave me one of his bear hugs.
“You’re going to have to cheer up, Little Miss Sunshine! We’ve got six weeks off and that’s something to smile about. You look like the world’s about to end.”
“Sorry. Just get me a shot of something and I’ll cheer up.”
“Uh-oh!” He laughed. “I’m going to get you a beer to start with. We’ll talk about shots later. I don’t want to carry you home.”
“Are you okay?” I asked him with mock concern. “Don’t tell me you’re finally growing up!”
“Fine!” He grinned at me. “You’ve talked me into it – we’ll have a shot.”
Dylan came over with a tray of empty glasses. He slid it onto the bar and gave me a hug.
“So you’re unemployed again,” he said. “I think we should drink to that!”
“Shots!” Matt told him.
“I’ll join you for drinks later,” Dylan said, moving around the bar to pour shots for us. “There’s more staff coming in an hour and then I can take off.”
“So what are you doing for the summer?” I asked Matt.
“Whatever Chrissie tells me to, I would imagine! Plus I’ll be spending a fair amount of time sitting here.” He raised his glass and we downed our shots before ordering beers. “My plan to spend the summer sitting naked on my couch has been foiled by an unexpected house guest.”
“I’m very sorry!”
“No, you’re not.”
“Well, I haven’t forgotten it’s a temporary arrangement.”
“Oh, shut up,” he said, taking a swig of beer. “I was only messing with you. You can stay as long as you want.”
“Thank you.”
“Well, not too long…” He smirked and I gave him a shove. “I take it things are getting better with Adam, anyway?”
“Yeah, it seems like it.”
He nodded. “I spoke to him the other day.”
“What did he say?”
“Not much. He pretended to call for a catch-up and threw in a few questions about you. I felt used.”
“Sorry.” I smiled at his attempt to look wounded.
>
We ate sitting at the bar. By the time we’d finished, Ryan had arrived and Dylan had come to join us. I was tipsy and joking around with the boys by the time Chrissie joined us.
“You’re cheerful for someone with no job,” she said, jokily.
“It’s taken a fair few drinks to get her to relax,” Matt told her. “Don’t come in here and ruin all my hard work!”
“I’ll get another job,” I said. “Don’t worry about it!”
“Oh, I’m not worried,” she told me and then ordered a drink, insisting we move to a table instead of sitting at the bar.
“Let’s just do what the boss says!” Matt said, hopping off his stool and putting an arm around Chrissie’s shoulders. “Everyone move along now. You’re sitting in the wrong place.”
Chrissie rolled her eyes at him as we got up and moved to a round table nearby. The place was filling up, and it was one of the only tables left.
“Why don’t you just work in here?” Ryan asked me. “That’s what I’d do if I lost my job.”
“Please don’t ever lose your job, Ryan,” Dylan commented. “I see enough of you as it is.”
“I’ll keep it in mind for a backup plan,” I told Ryan. “But I’m going to try and get a teaching job first.”
“It’s nice that you’re around again anyway,” Ryan said. “You should’ve ditched Adam ages ago.”
“Oh my God,” Dylan said while Chrissie slapped Ryan’s arm. “What is wrong with you?”
“What?” Ryan asked. “I’m just saying, it’s nice to have Lucy back. What’s wrong with that?”
I shook my head at him. “Thanks, Ryan.”
Then my phone rang. Adam’s number flashed on the screen. I couldn’t hear anything over the noise of the pub, so I made my way through the throng and out onto the street.
“Is everything okay?” I asked.
“Sorry, I didn’t know if you’d still be out,” Adam said.
I glanced at my watch. It wasn’t that late.
“Would you mind saying goodnight to Emily? She had a bad dream and was asking for you.”
“Yeah, put her on,” I said. I waited until I heard Emily’s voice. I paced the pavement in front of the pub while I chatted to her for a few minutes.
“Sorry,” Adam said when he came back on the phone. “I didn’t mean to interrupt your evening.”
“It’s fine. I’m leaving soon anyway. I’ll come over tomorrow.”
“Good. I’m not working, so I’ll see you then.”
My little gang were surprisingly quiet when I re-joined them. “What’s going on?” I asked.
Matt grinned up at me. “We’ve got a bet on whether talking to Adam will make you want to drink more or go home!”
“Thanks for the support! Everything’s fine. I’ll have another drink and then I’m going. I need some sleep.”
Chapter 51
It was mid-morning when I arrived in Havendon. Cautiously, I pushed the front door open and heard raised voices.
“You’re not going anywhere until you sort out that mess,” Adam shouted.
“I said, I’ll do it later!” Hailey screamed.
I stood at the bottom of the stairs, looking up to where the noise was coming from.
“Do it later, then,” Adam replied gruffly. “But you’re not leaving your room until it’s tidy.”
I glanced into the living room and wondered at the irony of Adam telling Hailey to tidy her room when the coffee table was littered with pizza boxes and beer bottles.
“I’m not surprised Lucy left!” Hailey’s voice was filled with rage. “You’re so annoying!”
A door slammed.
Adam appeared at the top of the stairs, looking beaten.
“Hi.” He frowned as he walked down the stairs. “I don’t know what to do with her. We were getting on great and now she can’t stand me again. I only asked her to tidy up a bit.”
“She’ll get over it,” I told him, following him into the living room and watching him tidy up his own mess.
“She’s driving me mad,” he said, picking up the empty bottles. “I think she just enjoys arguing with me.”
In the kitchen I switched on the kettle. “Where’s Emily?”
“Mum took her to the playground. I think she’ll be back soon. How was your night out?”
“Good,” I told him. “A standard night at Dylan’s. It feels like the place where time stands still.”
“It’s good that some things don’t change.”
“Definitely,” I said, making a coffee and handing it to him. He kissed my cheek as he took it, and butterflies took flight around my stomach. When he lingered I leaned in and kissed his lips.
I flushed when I moved away from him. Somehow it felt like we were doing something we shouldn’t.
“Will you move back in?” Adam blurted.
I caught the vulnerability in his eyes. “Don’t rush me,” I said gently, worried we’d fall into an argument.
“Sorry,” he said quickly. “I don’t want to pressure you. I just miss you!”
“I miss you too,” I replied. “But I can’t move back in until we’re absolutely sure it’s the right thing. After everything we’ve been through, I don’t want us to rush things and end up back where we were before.”
“You’re right,” he said. “I’m just being impatient.”
“It’s so quiet,” I said, taking my coffee to the table. “I don’t remember it ever being so quiet in here.”
“It’s nice, isn’t it?”
“It’s weird.”
“Don’t worry. I’m sure it won’t last long!”
It was about a minute before we heard the front door opening.
“Told you!” Adam said.
“Hi!” I stood up when Emily and Ruth came in. Emily was pale, and barely managed to return my smile. “What’s wrong?”
“She says she has a stomach ache,” Ruth said. “I think she needs a quiet day.”
“Okay.” I put a hand to Emily’s cheek. Heat was radiating off her.
“Sorry, Lucy.” Ruth kissed my cheek. “I didn’t even say hello. I’m in a rush. I’ve got to get up to the church for a fundraising meeting.”
“It’s fine,” I said. “You get off. I’ll talk to you later.”
Ruth hurried away and I bent down to talk to Emily. Without warning, she vomited all over me. Oh no! I winced and fought with my gag reflex as the yellow mess dripped down me.
“Sorry,” Emily said and began to cry.
“It’s okay,” I told her and glanced at Adam, who had frozen, his coffee cup halfway to his mouth. It took me a few seconds to figure out how to deal with the vomit, which was all over Emily and me. “Let’s get undressed,” I told Emily, peeling her clothes off her and then stripping down to my underwear. “You’re going to have to deal with the mess,” I told Adam, picking Emily up. We were halfway upstairs when the next wave of vomit hit.
“Adam!” I shouted.
“I’m on it!”
After showering Emily, I wrapped her in a towel and sat her beside the bath while I showered. Afterwards, I put pyjamas on Emily and tucked her into bed, a bucket beside her. She looked pale and doll-like and was asleep within minutes.
My hair was still wet when I went downstairs, to find Adam putting away the cleaning supplies.
“She’s asleep,” I told him.
“I bet you’re glad you came over today,” Adam said.
“These things happen,” I said with a shrug.
“If you’d rather go, we’ll be fine…”
“I’ll stay a while,” I said, taking a seat at the kitchen table and propping my head up on my hand. “I’ve not even seen Hailey yet.”
“Go in her room – if you dare!” He smiled, his gaze staying on me for too long.
“What is it? Do I still have puke on me or something?”
“No.” He finally shifted his attention from me. “It stinks in here, though.”
When Adam went into the back ga
rden for fresh air, I ventured back upstairs, avoiding the three damp steps. I checked on Emily before knocking gently on Hailey’s door.
She pulled her earphones out and turned her nose up. “What is that smell?”
“Emily threw up,” I said. “Everywhere.”
“Gross. Where’s Uncle Adam? I can’t come out of my room unless he goes out.”
“You could just tidy up,” I suggested.
“But it’s my room,” she complained as I sat beside her on the bed. “This is how I like it.”
“It’s disgusting,” I told her.
“I know,” she said, her mouth twitching into a smile. “But it’ll take ages to clean, and if I wait until Gran’s here next, she’ll do it for me. You know how she loves to clean! I think I’d actually be doing her a favour.”
I stood and made my way through the clothes scattered on the floor. “You sound a bit like your Uncle Adam when I first met him.”
“So I can just let Gran do it?”
I shook my head and smiled at her. “No – you made the mess. I’ll see you later, when your room’s all tidy!”
“Do you want to help me?” she called after me.
I laughed and pulled the door shut.
Adam was on the couch when I went back downstairs, two steaming cups of tea on the table in front of him.
“Emily’s sleeping,” I said, sitting beside him and picking up my tea. “And Hailey will be out of her room in a few days – when she’s managed to tidy up!”
“Can you hang around for a while?” Adam asked. “We could watch a movie … It doesn’t even have to be Disney or mermaids!”
“That sounds nice,” I said. “What do you want to watch?”
“Don’t pretend you care what I want to watch. We can just skip to the bit where you pick a romantic comedy and tell me I’ll like it!”
“Hey!” I laughed with him. “You can choose if you want.”
“No, no, you can,” he said, passing me the remote.
“How about you choose the movie…” I moved to the opposite end of the couch and rested my feet in his lap, “and I get a foot massage.”
“Deal!”
I wriggled to get comfy while Adam looked for a movie. I really didn’t care what we watched. I was just happy to spend two hours cuddled up with him on the couch. I ignored the doubts that niggled at the back of my mind … and refused to think about the stunt I’d pulled at The White Kitchen.
