by Susan Lewis
For Susannah it was simply wonderful having someone ringing or texting to ask what she wanted to do for dinner, or where they should spend the night, her place or his? His house was in a small, leafy terrace just off Clapham West Side, and was at least twice the size of her own, with two large Victorian bay windows at the front, a cellar underneath and a walled-in patio and garden at the back. Most of the interior had been modernised before he’d bought it, so the attic was already a fourth bedroom with its own shower room, while the master en suite was straight out of a design magazine with its walk-in closets, jacuzzi bath and recessed lighting. On the whole though, the place was sparsely furnished, with no more than a two-seater sofa and a high-backed armchair to fill up the large sitting room, and the brand-new SieMatic kitchen still lacked a table for the breakfast area, as well as all kinds of knick-knacks to make it feel lived-in. The house was, he insisted, Susannah’s to do as she pleased with, and already they’d been on several shopping trips to start transforming it into a place that felt more like home.
It was during their sixth week together, close to the end of April, that Susannah received a call from her agent to say that Michael Grafton, the producer who’d wanted to cast her in a series a long time ago, was asking to see her again for a part in a new soap he was backing.
‘The auditions are next week,’ Dorothy told her, breaking the good news from her semi-retirement in the country, ‘and I think you could be in with a chance, given that he’s asked for you personally. He’s got Marlene Wyndham exec-producing it – the fearsome little termagant who’s had more success with soaps than Procter & Gamble. So it’s probably her you’ll have to convince, but I’m told he’ll be there too, so do whatever it takes to keep him on your side. Samantha’s biking the script round as soon as it arrives.’
For the first time in Susannah couldn’t remember how long, it wasn’t Neve or Lola she called right away to share the good news, it was Alan.
It took him a moment to understand what she was saying, she was so excited, but after realising what it was, and how much it meant to her, he managed to sound every bit as thrilled as she was as he said, ‘This is fantastic. We have to celebrate. I’ll bring some champagne home …’
‘I haven’t got it yet,’ she protested.
‘But you will,’ he insisted. ‘How could they turn you down? Do you know anything about it yet? What the series is? What kind of part you’re up for?’
‘Apparently a script is on its way, so I should know more then. Dorothy thinks it’s probably quite a good role, so I might find myself in more than one episode, which would be brilliant.’
‘It certainly would,’ he agreed. ‘And I have another surprise for you, but it’ll have to wait until tonight, I’m afraid, because I want to see your face when I tell you what I have in mind.’
Lola was in no doubt, when Susannah called her, that Alan was going to propose.
‘But we’re both still married,’ Susannah laughed, ‘so it can’t be that.’
‘Why not? You don’t have to do it right away, it’ll be like a pledge. No, that’s what it is, and I hope you’re going to say yes.’
‘If I am he’ll be the first to know,’ Susannah retorted. ‘So what do you think about my other news? I’m up for an audition. Isn’t that amazing?’
‘It certainly will be if you get it, and I’m sure you will. Have you told Neve yet?’
‘No, her phone’s off while she’s in class, so I sent a text asking her to call as soon as she could. Alan’s picking her up later, but he’s on his honour not to say anything, because I want to tell her myself.’
‘She’ll be as cock-a-hoop as you are,’ Lola said knowingly, ‘which will be no bad thing, because she’s been a bit down lately, don’t you think?’
Startled, Susannah said, ‘She seems fine to me. Why do you say that?’
‘I don’t know, really. I suppose it could be all the time she’s spending on that computer now Alan’s got us connected up with this broadband number. I’m not convinced it’s a good thing, all this Internet stuff. She needs to be having real chats with real people, the way she always used to.’
‘You mean like when you used to tell her she had too much to say for herself?’
‘Yes, like then. Anyway, it’s probably just the novelty of the thing at the moment. Once it wears off she’ll be back to her normal self, all full of it again. Any news from Pats lately?’
‘Yes, she’s coming over next Monday and Tuesday, so keep the evenings free. She wants to take us all out for a meal on one of them.’
‘Oh, my admirers will be disappointed when I let them down.’
Laughing at the dryness of her tone, Susannah rang off and went back to work, filing the architect’s drawings and correspondence. It was hard concentrating with her mind running off in so many directions, but it was the upcoming audition that was preoccupying her the most. It had been so long since she’d last acted that she was already starting to feel the turmoil of nerves, so heaven only knew what kind of state she’d be in by the time it came round.
‘You’ll be fine,’ Alan assured her when she rang him again. She was on her way home by now, sitting at the back of the bus absently watching the world go by.
‘I wonder if there’s some kind of refresher course I could do between now and then,’ she pondered.
‘Even if there is, I’m sure you won’t need it.’
‘Maybe I should call some old actor friends to ask if they’ll come and run lines with me. I wonder how many I’ll have. I hope I’m in more than one scene, then I won’t be as likely to find myself on the cutting-room floor.’
‘I think you’re worrying too much. It’ll all work out just fine, you wait and see. And like it or not, I’m bringing home some champagne.’
‘No don’t, it’s tempting fate …’
‘Hang on, we might have something else to celebrate, so the decision’s made. I’m outside the school now, waiting for Neve, so we shouldn’t be much longer. Are you on your way to your place, or mine?’
‘Mine, and my stop’s coming up, so I’ll see you in about half an hour.’
It was actually closer to an hour before the front door opened and Neve came in, shouted, ‘Hi Mum,’ and ran straight up the stairs.
‘Is everything OK?’ Susannah asked Alan as he hung his coat up. ‘I was starting to worry.’
He looked surprised, until, remembering the delay, he said, ‘Oh yes, Neve wanted to stop off at a friend’s house to pick up some things, then there was an accident on Battersea Bridge which held us up for a while. I should have rung, sorry.’
She smiled as he kissed her, and wanting to prolong the feel of his arms around her she sank against him, resting her head on his shoulder. ‘How was your day?’ she asked.
‘Oh, fairly normal, if you could apply such an epithet to my line of work. Half a dozen patients and lunch with my lawyer.’
‘Business or pleasure?’
‘A bit of both. There are still a few things being tied up in Manchester that we needed to go over. Mostly though, we talked about cricket and you, and how my life’s got back on track since we met up again.’
Smiling happily, she said, ‘Was he pleased for you?’
‘He certainly sounded it, but I did get a few of the old clichés about not going too fast, there’s plenty of time, don’t rush things.’
Concern showed in her eyes. ‘Do you think that’s what we’re doing?’
‘We’re doing what feels right for us,’ he replied, smoothing the hair back from her face, ‘and that’s all that matters.’
She nodded, and went up on tiptoe to kiss him. ‘How was Neve on the way home?’ she asked, going back to the meal she was preparing. ‘Lola thinks she’s seemed a bit down lately. Does she to you?’
Looking slightly baffled, he shook his head. ‘She seems fine to me. Full of chat, mostly into her mobile phone, or otherwise plugged into her iPod.’
‘Do you think she spends too much time online?
That must be where she is now, and she barely said hello when she came in. Maybe she’s making contact with someone she doesn’t want us to know about.’
‘If she is then we need to find out. When did you girls last have a heart-to-heart?’
Realising she couldn’t remember, Susannah felt a pang of guilt strike her. ‘I should try and have a chat with her tonight,’ she said. ‘Did she mention how much homework she has?’
‘Quite a bit, apparently, but I’m sure she’ll want to hear your news.’
Brightening, Susannah said, ‘Of course, and I still haven’t heard yours yet – and actually I’ve got more of my own that came in the mail, but that can definitely wait. So, what’s the surprise you mentioned earlier?’
Sitting her down at the table, he took her hands in his as he said, ‘I know you don’t want to give up working at the club because of how much it pays you, and you’ve already turned down my offer to make up what you’d lose in wages, so I’ve been thinking … Why don’t you come and live with me, and let this place out? The rent should more than cover what you earn at the club, and if you do get the acting job, well, who knows how rich you might turn out to be.’
Laughing, and loving him more than ever, she squeezed his hands tightly, and went to sit on his lap. ‘I think that’s the most irresistible proposition I’ve ever received,’ she told him huskily, ‘because I’d love to come and live with you in your wonderful house on your cherry-blossom street. I just have to be certain that you are including Neve.’
With an incredulous laugh he said, ‘I’m sorry, I thought that went without saying. Of course it includes her. In fact, she’s already staked a claim on the top bedroom.’
Susannah blinked in surprise. ‘You discussed it with Neve before me?’ she said, certain she must have it wrong.
‘Not discussed, just mentioned. I wanted to sound her out on the idea, because I knew if she wasn’t up for it, you wouldn’t be either.’
Seeing the sense in that, she hugged him again, saying, ‘I’m sure she didn’t even hesitate, she’s so crazy about you, but now I have to tell you what came in the mail today, because it could affect things where this house is concerned. Certainly where Neve is concerned.’
Having fetched a letter from her bag Susannah handed it to him, saying, ‘It’s from Duncan. He’s being released at the end of next week and he wants to talk about taking his share of the equity in the house. He also wants to see Neve.’
Alan’s face was grim as he unfolded the letter and began to read. By the time he’d finished he still wasn’t looking pleased. ‘As far as this place is concerned,’ he said, ‘he might not be entitled to anything, or at least not as much as he thinks, but we won’t know for sure until you’ve spoken to the CSA again to find out how much you can claim in back maintenance. As for seeing Neve …’ He inhaled deeply and looked at the letter again. ‘You’ll have to let her decide what she wants to do,’ he said. ‘Though I can’t say I’d be thrilled to have him as part of our lives, if Neve feels otherwise then it wouldn’t be right to stand in her way.’
Later, when Susannah put it to Neve, her lip immediately curled. ‘No way do I want to see him,’ she snorted, slumping down on her bed and picking up a magazine. ‘He hasn’t wanted anything to do with us since he went away, so if he thinks he can just come waltzing back into our lives now, he is so wrong. I hate him for how unhappy he made you, and now, just when things are going right for you, he’s got to turn up and try to spoil it all.’
‘Listen, whatever’s gone on between me and Dad, he’s still your father, so if you do want to …’
‘I just said I don’t,’ Neve snapped, ‘so let’s change the subject, shall we? What’s this surprise you texted me about earlier?’
‘That can wait. I’d rather find out what’s on your mind.’
‘Who said anything was?’
‘I can tell, so why don’t we talk about it and see if we can get it sorted.’
‘Actually, we can’t, and anyway there’s nothing. I’m just tired, and it’s the time of the month.’
‘Are you having problems at school? Is someone bullying you?’
‘Mum, will you stop going on. I just told you, it’s the time of the month so I’m feeling a bit stressed. OK?’
Susannah regarded her carefully. ‘Does it have anything to do with who you’re spending so much time online chatting to?’
Neve slapped down the magazine. ‘I’m chatting to my friends when I go online,’ she said tightly. ‘What’s wrong with that? Now will you please stop getting at me.’ Her voice faltered at the end and as she started to cry Susannah pulled her into her arms.
‘Come on, what is it?’ she said gently. ‘Whatever it is, we can make it all right.’
‘No we can’t,’ Neve sobbed. ‘It’s all a mess and it’s my fault and I wish I didn’t love you so much because then I could hate you.’
With a laugh, Susannah said, ‘Why on earth would you want to do that?’
‘I don’t, I’m just saying.’
Lifting her chin up, Susannah looked into her eyes and started pulling faces until finally Neve laughed.
‘I promise it’s the time of the month,’ she said, wrapping her arms around Susannah. ‘You know I get a bit weird when it happens. It’ll be fine by tomorrow. So will you please tell me now what your surprise is. Alan said it’s fantastic, but he wouldn’t even give me a clue what it might be.’
‘That’s because I wanted to tell you myself.’ Her eyes shone as she said, ‘I’ve got an audition next week for a new drama series and they asked specially to see me, so Dorothy thinks I’m in with a good chance.’
Neve’s jaw dropped as her eyes filled with joy. ‘That’s amazing,’ she cried, flinging her arms round Susannah again. ‘You’ll get it, I know you will, and then you’ll be rich and famous and everyone will love you, but you’ll be my mum so I’ll love you the most.’
‘In which case, life will be utterly perfect, because Alan’s just told me about wanting us to move in with him and I’ve said yes, that we’d love to. I take it that was the right answer?’
Neve’s arms were still round her, so she squeezed hard as she said, ‘Yes, of course it was. Definitely. It’ll be really great to live there, and it’s only a short bus ride from Lola so we can still go and see her all the time. Can’t we? And some of my friends live down that way, so I’ll be near them, which is great too.’
Smiling at the tears on her cheeks as she pulled back to look at her, Susannah said, ‘Things really seem to be working out for us at last, don’t they, and it’s all thanks to you for finding Alan.’
Neve’s mouth trembled as more tears threatened. ‘He’s really special, isn’t he?’ she said. ‘At first I was scared that he might not like me, or he’d want to have you all to himself, but he never makes me feel as though I’m in the way.’
‘Because you’re not,’ Susannah assured her.
Neve swallowed. ‘I just wish …’
‘What do you wish?’
‘I was going to say that he was my dad, but I don’t think I really mean that. Or I do, but … Oh, I don’t know. It’s just fantastic that he’s turned out to be so … I don’t know, like he is.’
Hugging her hard, Susannah said, ‘It hasn’t been easy for you, growing up without a dad, but that’s going to change now. We’ll be a real family, the way you’ve always wanted.’
‘Lola, hi, it’s Pats. How are you?’
‘Oh, I’m lovely, dear, thank you,’ Lola replied from her end. ‘How are you? Susannah says you’re working very hard over there.’
Patsy spun away from her computer. ‘Tell me about it,’ she said, gazing out of her glassed-in office past the open-plan arrangement of the rest of the executive floor to where the directors of finance, marketing and beauty appeared to be in some kind of conspiratorial huddle. ‘It’s great until I come unstuck with my French, but let’s not get into that. I had a message earlier from Susannah asking me to call, but I can’t
find her. She’s not there, I suppose?’
‘No, she’s gone for an acting lesson – or coaching, is what she calls it. She’s quite anxious about this audition next Wednesday so Alan’s paying for someone to help her brush up a bit.’
‘That’s kind of him. Has she got the script yet? She was still waiting for it to arrive the last time we spoke.’
‘Yes, but apparently it’s not from the actual series. It’s just some scenes they want her to play with a couple of other people they’re interviewing at the same time. The real scripts are still being revised, her agent said.’
‘Sounds as though they don’t want anything going public until they’re ready,’ Patsy commented, watching the conspirators get into a lift, then turning her chair so she was gazing out across the glistening grey rooftops of Paris. ‘So any idea when I can reach her?’
‘Probably not till tomorrow, unless you manage to catch her on her way to the club later.’
‘OK. Is Neve with you tonight?’
‘She will be later. Alan’s taken her and a couple of her friends to the pictures, then they’re going on for a pizza after. You should have seen her going out of here earlier. All done up like a dog’s dinner, she was, like she was off to some fancy-dress do from the sixties. They’re wearing their skirts so short again these days, makes me feel perished just to look at them, especially with the weather turning nippy. And how Alan puts up with all that bloomin’ giggling and squealing, I’ll never know. He’s a saint if you ask me.’
‘He’ll be used to it, having two stepdaughters,’ Patsy laughed, returning to her computer screen. ‘So how come you didn’t go with them?’
‘Oh, I had one of me turns earlier, so Susannah said I had to stay home and put me feet up. You know what she’s like when she starts laying down the law … Oh, before I forget, I had a postcard from your mother this morning. She wanted to know if you was managing to stay out of trouble over here, and said I had to keep you away from red wine, men and guns.’
Patsy groaned. ‘Don’t you just love her?’
