‘Can’t we just get a couple of sleeping bags and kip here tonight?’ she says. ‘Why would anyone want to leave this? It’s like part of my soul has been left here.’
‘Everything has to come to an end, but I know what you mean. I dread waking up in the morning. Did you say goodbye to Sheena and Rob?’
‘They were a bit late in finishing their shift so I couldn’t. We’ll see them tomorrow though. What about Eric?’
‘I think he just slipped out. He found the going tough in the last few days.’
‘Is he coming?’
‘I don’t know. I did tell him about it – but he’s got all these other volunteering commitments so I doubt it.’
We enter Stratford station and my mobile phone rings. I really don’t want to answer it as my feet are hurting and I need a sit down before I can engage too deeply in conversation. But, with Jessica’s news about Lawrence earlier in the day, I realise it might be important so reluctantly take it while trying to slalom through a mass crowd.
‘Hello Frannie, it’s Gillian. You’re not going to believe this but my father’s gone missing now too. I can’t believe what’s happening to me. I must be cursed…’
‘Calm down Gillian,’ I say, bending my ear right down into the phone to block out the noise. ‘You say, your father’s missing. How did that happen?’
‘I don’t know. I left him at home for less than an hour while I popped down to the supermarket for groceries and when I came back he wasn’t there. William and Jack are out and, as you know, Lawrence hasn’t been back since last evening after he visited your house. It’s all falling apart, Frannie, I’m not sure I can take anymore of this…’
‘Don’t worry Gillian. We’re on our way home now. Jessica is with me too. We’ll come round straight away if you want. Might be a couple of hours though…’
‘Oh will you? That’ll be so kind. I’m not sure I’d be able to cope without you and Jessica. I’m thinking about calling the police but I might wait a bit longer now.’
‘Do you think Lawrence took him?’
‘What? It’s never crossed my mind. Why would he want to do that?’
‘No reason, it’s just me thinking out loud. Your father wouldn’t just walk out of the front door would he? I mean, he’s ill but not that ill.’
‘He’s never done it before but, honestly, that kind of thing never crossed my mind. Lawrence is silly but surely he wouldn’t go as far as to take Daddy out without my consent. They barely know each other.’
‘That might be the point. Anyway, we’re about to get on the Tube in a few minutes so we can talk about this when we get home…’
‘Oh I’m so sorry, I nearly forgot: how was your last day at the Olympics? Must have been so emotional.’
‘It was – and a bit more than that too…’
‘You don’t want it to stop do you?’
‘No and nor does the country by the looks of things. But I’m not going to peep over my shoulder now just in case the tears start rolling down my cheeks. I’m going to look straight ahead at the Tube train and leave it all behind. It’s the only way I can deal with things, really.’
‘Donald would have been so proud of you now, Frannie, you do know that don’t you? The bravery you showed by fronting up on those early dark mornings, saying hello to spectators even though you were hurting so much inside.’
‘I know but even that’s in the past now. I want to look forward and see if I can make a big difference to people out there, not just inside the Olympic Park.’
‘So you are joining the campaign next week?’
‘Yes…’
‘And you’ll become a volunteer too? We might need three days a week from the start.’
‘Can’t wait.’
‘Wonderful…’
She pauses and I think she’s hung up.
‘Gillian, are you still there?’
‘Yes, I’m here it’s just I feel so guilty about leaving him alone like that. I shouldn’t have done it but you know how it is. I can’t take him everywhere. I have to have some waking minutes to myself.’
‘You didn’t do anything wrong, don’t beat yourself up about it. You never know he might turn up at the front door before we get back.’
‘I wouldn’t bet on it…’
‘See you soon, then…’
‘Bye – oh and give my best to Jessica.’
‘I will.’
I end the call and look up at Jessica. I’m about to speak but she gets in first.
‘Don’t tell me her father’s gone AWOL too…’ she says.
‘Looks like it…’
‘And people said I was the unlucky one! If I marry into this family, they’ll put a new curse on me every day!’
‘You shouldn’t laugh about it – this could be serious.’
‘No, it isn’t….’
‘Why?’ I say, slightly alarmed.
‘Because Gillian’s dad is with Lawrence. I got a text from William saying he’d spoken to his father and that the two men – that is Lawrence and his father-in-law – were eating at an Italian restaurant in another village. Lawrence had never taken him out before so he wanted to do it before it was too late.’
‘But why didn’t you tell me all this when I was speaking to Gillian? She’s been worried sick.’
‘I only got it a few minutes ago when we were saying our goodbyes. Gillian’ll be fine. She’s brought some of this upon herself.’
‘What are you talking about?’
‘I read a bit of her book and I felt she was doing too many things; trying to be a busybody, running campaigns, looking after her sick dad, it all felt a bit false to me.’
‘It’s not false, Jessica, she’s genuine. She just tries to help as many people as she can. After all, isn’t that what volunteering’s about?’
‘Yes, but there’s a limit. You can’t help some people…’
‘Like you?’ I say, with a long pause after saying the words. ‘What would you have done if I hadn’t have helped you in the first few days of the Olympics. Everybody needs support at some stage of their life.’
She offers a blank look and then breaks out into laughter. ‘You’re so good at getting me stumped, Frannie.’ She puts her arm round my shoulder. ‘You should stop doing that to me? I’m only a young lass.’
‘Yes, a young lass with a lot to learn…’
‘Well, a little…’
‘No, a lot!’
‘Okay a lot – but can you wish me up some luck too?’
We laugh and walk down to the platform. I take Jessica’s arm and start singing With a Little Bit of Luck from My Fair Lady. The song has always been a favourite and I’m glad I have the confidence and initiative to start singing it, even if people are looking at me. Jessica eventually joins in and locks her arm into mine. She has been performing in the Olympic Park for two weeks; now it is my turn.
We are surprised, but not shocked, to see Lawrence opening his own front door. Jessica gives me a knowing glance as if she knew he’d come back with his tail between his legs. Lawrence smiles and opens the door extremely wide, almost wanting us to go in without saying a word. I step forward and go inside the house.
‘Where’s Gillian?’ I ask, wiping my feet on the doormat even though it’s unnecessary.
‘Upstairs, I think,’ he replies, rather abruptly.
‘And your father-in-law?’
‘In the living room, playing cards with me. Too many questions, Frannie, for Saturday tea-time. How was your Olympic day? Hope you went out with a bang…’
‘Well, you nearly did, didn’t you?’
He sighs and shakes his head. Jessica walks in behind me and we both brush past him into the hallway.
‘Did my apology not do anything for you la
dies, yesterday? I thought we were back on terms.’
‘Looks like your terms,’ says Jessica, glancing at him as she walks past.
‘Don’t start. Gillian’s upstairs if you want to see her. If you want to join us for some Black Jack or Poker then we’re in the living room.’
‘We’ve had enough of games, thanks,’ says Jessica, starting to go up the stairs ahead of me. ‘Two weeks of them…’
‘You’re pretty funny, do you know that? Hope some of it rubs off on William. He’s not the sharpest of tools…’
Jessica sticks two fingers up but her back is turned to Lawrence so he can’t see them. I grab her hand before she gets into trouble.
‘Which room is she in, Lawrence?’ I ask, feeling extremely tired as I go up the stairs.
‘Our bedroom, of course. Please don’t touch my beauty products please…’
We ignore him and get to the top of the stairs. I’m out of breath and Jessica looks at me.
‘Are you okay?’
‘Yes, but I knew we should have gone home first. I needed my coffee and half an hour sofa time before doing anything else strenuous. No problem though, we’re here now, let’s see it through.’
Jessica walks into the bedroom and I shuffle in behind her. Immediately, by the dressing table, we see Gillian sitting on a chair, looking into a mirror. She bursts into tears as soon as she sees our reflection. We walk towards her and stop by her side.
‘Oh Gillian, don’t cry, it’s over now,’ I say, putting my hand on her shoulder and leaning my head onto hers. ‘They’re back now so there’s nothing to worry about.’
‘Fifteen minutes after I called you,’ she says, continuing to sob. ‘Fifteen bloody minutes! They came back almost immediately. Daddy couldn’t eat any of the food Lawrence had bought for him so they came back. He hasn’t got a clue. I hate him. I absolutely hate him.’
‘Oh come on, don’t talk like that…’ I say, holding her tight. ‘You need to forget about what happened now because they’re both safe. Come on, let’s go downstairs and we’ll make you some tea and biscuits.’ I glance at Jessica. ‘We could do with some too, couldn’t we?’
‘Sure could. I’m hungry too.’
Gillian starts to wipe the tears away from her cheeks. ‘I’m sorry about being so selfish. You two have had an extremely long day – and long fortnight – for that matter, so I’ve really got to end this charade.’ She sniffs and takes a deep breath. She straightens her hair and gets up from the chair. ‘Right, I will go downstairs and start making tea – and you two are staying. We’re well stocked this evening because I’ve just been to the supermarket. Everything is on the menu.’ She turns and looks at us. ‘So what do you say girls?’
‘I’m not sure,’ I say, feeling as if I need to take my trainers and socks off immediately otherwise my feet will overheat. ‘I need my rest at home, Gillian. You know that. I’m very tired today.’
‘No problem, Frannie,’ says Gillian. ‘Come on, sit on the bed and I’ll take your shoes off. I know your ritual when you come home from work. It’s essential for you, I’m not stupid. Then you can have a wash and lie on the bed while Jess and I make tea – or dinner – or whatever exotic thing we’ve got in mind. Come on, up you get.’
I reluctantly sit down on the bed and Gillian bends down and slips my trainers off my feet. She then takes my socks off. Strangely, I don’t feel embarrassed at all. It’s as if Gillian needed to do this after her father had disappeared. She needed the touch and warmth of an older person. She massages my feet for a couple of minutes and looks up at me.
‘Now, is that a bit better?’ she asks.
‘You need to get behind the toes a bit more,’ says Jessica. ‘That soothes and releases the pressure in the head.’
Gillian looks up at Jessica. ‘At least they’re teaching you well on your Sports Science course.’
‘William thinks it’s all mumbo jumbo. Sleep, eat and burp is a good sign of health for him.’
‘You need to work on him some more…’
‘Where is he anyway?’
‘He’s been called in to work. They think they’re going to be busier this evening.’
Jessica tuts and sighs. ‘But he’s handed his notice in. How can he go back?’
‘They needed him and he agreed to do a last shift. Couldn’t you do with the extra money? You are making a seismic move to the north of the country.’
‘We’ll get by.’
There is a short silence as Jessica watches me breathing deeply and, ultimately, feeling refreshed by Gillian’s massage.
‘So where did Lawrence go then?’ asks Jessica.
‘You mean with Daddy?’
‘No, they went to an Italian restaurant, I’m up to date on that. I mean last night after he left us. So he wasn’t missing after all then?’
Gillian takes her hands off my feet and looks up at Jessica. ‘He said he stayed at a B&B out in the country somewhere although I’m not sure I believe him. He said he couldn’t handle everything falling apart in his life.’ She pauses and glances at me as I lie down on the bed. ‘He also said he couldn’t live without me.’
I rest my head on the pillow and enjoy it so much I am not sure I want to get up for the rest of the evening.
‘I think that last part is true,’ I say.
We finish dinner and walk back into the living room just in time to watch Mo Farah running in the 5000 metres. Jessica is on her feet throughout the race, cheering him on, while I offer mild encouragement when the bell rings for the final lap. The noise is deafening again but it’s strange to feel it through a little box in the corner of the room rather than the stadium itself. This feels like helplessness; last week I felt as if I could almost touch Mo, make a difference and help him to the finishing line. Not this time. Gillian and Lawrence are quiet throughout the race. Her father, in his leather armchair, lets out a few grunts as the noise gets louder. Farah wins again and Jessica dances round the living room raising her fist in the air. Gillian and I both cheer, almost at the same time. Lawrence claps and then folds his arms almost immediately.
‘Boy, can that man run,’ he says, glancing across at Gillian. ‘It’s exactly what I’ve been doing lately. Long distance running…’
‘No you’ve been hiding,’ snaps Gillian.
‘Oh come on, you two,’ says Jessica, still with a massive smile on her face. ‘Don’t spoil it for everyone. This is a historic moment for Britain: a double Olympic champion. We should be celebrating not bickering.’
‘Jessica’s right,’ says Gillian, raising her arm high in the air. ‘All hail Mohammed Farah, King of England!’
‘Hail to the King!’ shouts Jessica, getting into the spirit. ‘Well after Usain Bolt that is, who’s er, the real king.’
‘Who’s the queen then?’ asks Lawrence. ‘Jessica Ennis?’
‘Has to be,’ says Jessica.
‘And the Prince?’
‘Oh I don’t know, your wife started it…’
‘Now, who’s bickering?’ says Gillian, with a smile. ‘Let’s not quarrel, we’ve got a long night. Who else is there to go, Jessica? Tom Daley?’
‘Yes, Bolt in the relays, Tom Daley in the diving and Luke Campbell in the boxing.’
‘Boxing?’ says Lawrence. ‘I thought they did all that during the day?’
‘Not this one. Why, are you finally taking an interest in the Olympics after sixteen days? What took you so long?’
Lawrence looks at Gillian. ‘And this is who you want for a daughter-in-law?’
‘Might keep you in check, who knows?’ replies Gillian. ‘I need allies.’
Lawrence nods and leans back on the sofa. ‘For your information, future princess, I’ve been following the boxing quite a bit throughout the Olympics: Anthony Joshua, Freddie Evans, those kind of
fellas, even Nicola Adams…’
‘Who did she beat to win Gold then?’
‘I don’t bloody know. Someone wearing red.’
Jessica and Gillian laugh. I suspect Gillian is pleased that Jessica is standing her ground in the back and forth bout with Lawrence. I am not swayed either way although I do get concerned from time to time that Jessica will push things too far. She must learn to show restraint sometimes. We are guests in this house.
‘Who’s coming tomorrow then, Francesca?’ asks Lawrence, quickly trying to change the subject. ‘Just a few select colleagues or a whole army of volunteers? I’m surprised you agreed to this. Do you think Donald would have approved?’
I can see Gillian already shaking her head at the tone of Lawrence’s question.
‘I think he would have approved because he loved the Olympics and what it stood for…’
‘Your idea, was it?’
‘Not originally, no. It was Jessica’s.’
‘Students do love their parties…’
‘Can’t you come up with a better cliché than that?’ asks Jessica.
‘Yes, how about ‘Donald would be spinning in his grave’.’
‘Lawrence, shut up!’ says Gillian, looking extremely annoyed. ‘Sorry about that Frannie…’
‘It’s okay, Gillian, we’ve got to get going anyway,’ I say, getting up off the sofa. ‘I need my rest and I’m not getting too much here. I’m just getting excited with all this success we’re having. Come on, Jessica, let’s go.’
Seventeen Gifts for Frannie and Jess Page 26
