The Gift of Friends

by Emma Hannigan

  Seth looked at her, his mouth twisted into a sneer. ‘Always so emotional, Maia,’ he said. ‘I’ll get myself a drink and keep out of the way.’ He walked off towards the bar.

  ‘Jesus Christ,’ Maia said, feeling her jaw ache as she finally unclenched it. ‘Why do you stick with him, Pearl? I’m sorry to be so blunt, but you deserve a million times better than that sack of misery.’

  Pearl took a deep breath, obviously trying to compose herself and her emotions. ‘It’s just . . . a difficult situation,’ she said quietly.

  ‘Come on,’ Maia said, ‘let’s take Drew over to people who really appreciate him.’

  ‘Thanks,’ Pearl said, looking relieved.

  They walked over to the youngsters’ table, and Zara and Zach leaped up in delight, hugging Drew and getting a chair for him. Drew looked thrilled with all the attention, and happily introduced Zara to Bluebob, talking to her animatedly.

  ‘Your kids are as generous and lovely as you are,’ Pearl said, watching them. ‘You’ve done a fantastic job raising them, Maia.’

  Maia was taken aback. ‘You’re going to wreck my mascara, Pearl,’ she said. ‘That’s the loveliest thing anyone’s ever said to me, you know that? I’ve poured myself into those two for the last eighteen years and I often felt I was wasting myself just being a mother, but to hear that, well, it makes it all worth it.’

  ‘Oh Maia,’ Pearl said, hugging her. ‘I thought you knew everyone saw you as mother of the century! Of course we do. Zach and Zara are a credit to you. How could you ever feel like that was a waste?’

  Maia shrugged. ‘Ah, you hear so much about stay-at-home mothers and how we’re not out conquering the world and making a difference. I think I just took that onboard and felt like a bit of a failure.’

  Pearl looked at her in surprise. ‘I had no idea you felt like that,’ she said. ‘You always put forward such a strong, confident front. I didn’t know you had worries like that.’

  Maia laughed grimly. ‘And then some,’ she said. ‘I just put best foot forward, Pearl, but I’ve plenty that keeps me awake at night. At the moment, it’s the thought of not being their mother. When they leave, you know, I’ll just be me. I’ve got nothing else to do.’

  Pearl took her hand and squeezed it. ‘Maybe you and me should sign up for a course together. Sometimes I feel like I lost myself when Drew was born, because I gave up everything to take care of him. We could help each other to find some new interests, perhaps.’

  ‘I’d love that,’ Maia said, smiling at her. ‘I really would.’

  ‘It’s a plan, then,’ Pearl said. ‘I see Nancy, but where are Danielle and Betsy?’

  ‘There’s been a spot of trouble with Danielle and Justin,’ Maia said quietly. ‘I don’t know if they’re coming or not.’

  ‘Ah, they’ll be fine. At that age you have barneys just to have the make-up sex,’ Pearl said, and the two of them burst out laughing.

  ‘Seems a lifetime ago now,’ Maia said. ‘Now I start barneys to make sure sex doesn’t happen.’

  ‘Oh God, I hear you,’ Pearl said, shaking her head.

  They walked over to Nancy, who was soaking up the atmosphere and looking very happy. The three of them clinked glasses.

  ‘What are you toasting?’ came a voice from behind them. ‘What have I missed?’

  ‘Oh Betsy,’ Maia said, embracing her. ‘You’re here at last. I’m so glad you made it.’

  ‘Arnie managed to deliver an almighty poo just as we were opening the front door to leave,’ Betsy said. ‘That halted our gallop. But we’re all here now.’

  Behind her, Noel, Graham and Arnie were making their way towards them, eyes out on stalks at all the sights of the party. Baby Arnie was reaching his hands towards everything, enthralled by all the lights.

  ‘Welcome, welcome,’ Maia called out, going to kiss Noel and Graham. ‘I’m thrilled you could come. Hello Mr Arnie, how are you this evening?’

  ‘He’s in heaven,’ Graham said. ‘A fire-breather? You’ve gone all out, Maia. It looks amazing.’

  ‘Just wait till you taste the food,’ Maia said. ‘Out of this world.’

  ‘Well, me and Arnie won’t stay long,’ Graham said. ‘He hasn’t really got table manners down yet.’

  ‘You don’t worry about that,’ Maia said, waving her hand. ‘There’s a seat for you, and I can send the caterers for a high-chair if you want.’

  ‘Thanks,’ Graham said. Arnie was pointing wildly and making noises. ‘Think we better go back for another look at the fire-breather,’ he said.

  ‘This is lovely,’ Noel said, looking around the little group. ‘It’s nice to be gathered for a good reason, isn’t it?’

  ‘Damn right,’ Nancy said. ‘I’m looking forward to letting my hair down with a bit of dancing later. Although I can’t go too wild because I have another meeting at the council tomorrow.’

  ‘Oh,’ Maia said, looking at her hopefully. ‘Did they mention the protest and the news reports?’

  ‘No,’ Nancy said, shaking her head. ‘They just rang and said they’d like to discuss it again with me. It’s probably just more of the same, but I’ll drop in anyway.’

  ‘I’m coming with you,’ Maia said. ‘I’ll drive you there.’

  ‘You will not!’ Nancy said, looking horrified. ‘You will have a wild party and dance until your feet bleed and you fall into bed at dawn. And that’s an order!’

  Maia laughed. ‘I will have fun, and I will dance, but I will also be up in the morning with a pot of coffee, ready to stand by you with that bloody council. No arguments.’

  ‘Oh Maia,’ Nancy said. ‘You’re incorrigible.’

  There was a beeping sound, and Maia asked Betsy to hold her glass while she rooted her phone out of her clutch. She looked at them, and her face fell.

  ‘What is it?’ Betsy said. ‘Please God, not more bad news.’

  Maia bit her lip. ‘Oh this doesn’t look good, girls. Danielle isn’t coming.’

  ‘Ah no,’ Nancy said, ‘why not?’

  ‘She says she’s staying with her mam for a couple of days.’ Maia looked up at them. ‘What do you make of that?’

  ‘She’s feeling really conflicted,’ Nancy said.

  ‘About what?’ Betsy said.

  ‘Her life with Justin,’ Maia said. ‘She’s feeling like a fish out of water, and his obedience to his horrible mother isn’t helping.’

  ‘Oh that’s a terrible shame,’ Betsy said. ‘I’ve grown so fond of her.’

  ‘She was looking forward to tonight,’ Pearl said. ‘Missing it is a big deal. They must be really at loggerheads.’

  ‘Do you think she’ll leave him, Nancy?’ Maia asked.

  ‘There’s a very good chance, I think,’ Nancy said sadly. ‘When she talked to me about it, she seemed to be leaning towards calling it a day.’

  ‘That’s really sad news,’ Betsy said.

  The maitre d’ tapped a glass and announced that everyone should take their seats for dinner. The guests all milled about, choosing tables and friends to sit beside. The waiters fanned out about the room, filling wine glasses and taking orders. It was a lovely relaxed atmosphere, and Maia was very glad that Freddie had insisted on table service. It would have been chaotic to have everyone filing up to buffet tables, but this way, it allowed the guests to unwind, chat and laugh. It was perfect.

  Maia had a fantastic night. She caught up with old friends, wowed Freddie’s business associates and laughed until she cried with Pearl, Betsy and Nancy. Seth found some other army bore to talk to, so Pearl was spared his company for most of the night. The difference in her when Seth was nearby was shocking. She’d be chatting and laughing, and then he’d join them and Maia would watch as her friend physically became smaller, her shoulders drawing tight, head bent. It was horrible. She and Pearl had been more honest with each other that night than ever before, so she resolved to build on that and try to talk to her about her marriage. It was definitely an unhealthy relationship, and Pearl di
dn’t deserve that.

  The caterers cleared the food and tables swiftly once the meal was finished, and the DJ crew quickly set up, creating a crazily lit-up dancefloor. The first tune the DJ dropped was Kylie’s ‘Can’t get you out of my head’ – one of Maia’s all-time favourites – and it got everyone on their feet and moving. If Maia had any worries about people enjoying themselves, they all dissolved now. The party was absolutely rocking. At one point, Maia was on the dancefloor with the Kingfisher Road women, all of them bopping and laughing to ‘Happy’, and she knew this was one of those moments she’d remember for the rest of her life. They all had problems, life wasn’t straightforward, but in that moment, she looked around and knew they had each other. It was the most wonderful feeling.

  It was five o’clock and the first robin had started to sing when Maia stepped out of her dress and into her black silk pyjamas. She set her phone for 10.30 a.m., so she’d be ready in time to get Nancy to her midday meeting at the council offices. She knew Freddie had come inside, but she hadn’t seen him yet. She walked into the bedroom and found him sitting up in bed – eating pizza from a box.

  ‘Ah Freddie! Why are you eating that in bed? My good sheets!’

  ‘I just paid two hundred euros for pizza for that lot, so I’ll enjoy a few pieces of it. If I want to eat it standing on my head, bollock naked in the middle of the garden, then I will.’

  ‘I’d prefer to see you do that because then my sheets wouldn’t have cheese and sauce all over them.’

  There was a pause before he cracked up laughing. She grinned and joined him. They’d always been able to make each other laugh. That was the beauty of their relationship.

  ‘That,’ Freddie said, licking sauce from his fingers, ‘was the most amazing night ever. And you are the most amazing wife ever. That party took everyone’s eye out. They’ll be talking about it for years.’

  ‘Well the bill will take your eye out,’ Maia said, ‘but I’m really glad you enjoyed it. It was a hell of a lot of work, but it was worth it.’

  ‘I’m a lucky man,’ Freddie said contentedly, putting the pizza box on the floor and settling himself for sleep. ‘Too wrecked to shag you, though.’

  Maia laughed. ‘Don’t worry about that. I’m exhausted myself.’

  She watched as his eyes got heavy and started to close. Twenty years. It was a long time and a blink of the eye at the same time. She looked at the black and yellow bruising around his eye and bit her lip. Would he throw away twenty years for a fling? Or for money? What if he was dealing drugs, or something really dangerous like that? How far would he go for this lifestyle he’d grown to love so much? Her heart was heavy with all the questions he wouldn’t answer, but at the same time, looking at him lying by her side, where he’d lain for twenty years, he was also her Freddie. The man who had always looked after her and their children. He was her rock, she knew that. She also knew she’d stand by him, no matter what. Once it wasn’t another woman; that would break her in two. Once it wasn’t that, he had her heart and her loyalty, no matter what.

  Chapter 24

  PEARL WOULD HAVE STAYED AT THE PARTY UNTIL morning, but Drew was starting to droop with tiredness and Seth was giving her dagger looks that meant he wanted to leave – and wanted her to leave as well. She would have loved if Seth had taken Drew home and let her enjoy herself, but then the idea of leaving Drew alone with him made her blood run cold. She kissed Maia goodnight, dragged herself off the dancefloor, found her things and obediently left at Seth’s side.

  ‘Well that was a long and unpleasant affair,’ Seth remarked as they made their way back up the garden.

  ‘I really enjoyed it,’ Pearl said.

  ‘You made a show of yourself,’ Seth said. ‘Dancing like that at your age. You’re too old for that, Pearl. I was embarrassed to call you my wife.’

  Pearl swallowed down her rage. ‘It was just neighbours having some fun,’ she said. She held Drew’s hand tightly. She was afraid of him saying something and drawing Seth’s wrath on himself, but he seemed too tired to talk, which was a good thing.

  They walked through Maia’s beautiful home and out through the front door, then made their way down the driveway and up their own driveway next door. It was a beautiful night, cold and clear with lots of stars twinkling above them. Pearl would have given anything to be walking hand-in-hand with Tommy, heading off to bed together. She remembered Maia’s face when Seth had insulted Drew, and how she asked why the hell Pearl was still with him. She asked herself that question every day. She wasn’t even sure she knew the answer. It was like some part of her felt she didn’t deserve happiness with Tommy. Or maybe she was afraid that if she and Tommy could be proper, fulltime lovers, that his love would evaporate. There was some dark nub of fear deep inside her, but she wasn’t sure what it was. She just knew that the idea of telling Seth she wanted him to leave made her sweat with fear. She couldn’t do it.

  Seth unlocked their front door and they all trooped inside. Pearl thought she’d boil the kettle for a cup of green tea, and maybe Seth would go up ahead of her and fall asleep. She made her way to the kitchen and Drew followed sleepily.

  ‘I’m thirsty. Can I have a glass of water?’ Drew asked.

  ‘Sure thing, my darling,’ Pearl said. ‘You’re so tired, sweetie. I’ll give you this, then put you to bed.’

  ‘Stop babying him,’ Seth said, and she was taken aback by the fury in his voice. He seemed to have gone from irritated to all out anger in the time it took to walk down the hallway. ‘I’m sick and tired of watching you treat him like some precious child. I think he’s play-acting half the time, just to get attention. I can’t stand to watch the freak show that is my family. It’s disgusting.’

  Pearl was hardly breathing. She was wondering if Seth had drunk more than usual. He was normally abstemious and controlled about alcohol, but his eyes were blazing with anger and it was obvious he was spoiling for a fight. Her mind was reeling as she tried to think of a subject or a comment to calm him down.

  ‘I’ll try harder,’ she said, hating her quavering, defeated voice. She hated who she became when she was with him, but she had to protect herself and Drew.

  ‘You’re an idiot, Pearl,’ he said viciously. ‘It’s no wonder you produced an idiot. I watched you tonight, gossiping and laughing, throwing yourself around in that mutton dressed as lamb way you older women have, and do you want to know what I was thinking? I was thinking I managed to marry an idiot. I don’t know how you blinded me to your real self, but you did. And that’s how I’ve ended up with a retard for a son. You polluted my seed, your idiocy polluted it, and we ended up with this,’ he gestured at Drew as if he was some gruesome abomination. ‘I’m paying dearly for ever meeting you,’ he went on. ‘I rue the day I laid eyes on you.’

  Pearl was clutching the counter behind her, making herself as small and unthreatening as possible. She hadn’t heard him this angry before, this was a new level for him. She was shocked by his hatred. Because that’s what it was, he hated her. He had never said all this stuff before about Drew being her fault, but he must have been brooding over it for years. She felt sick to her stomach.

  There was a noise from the table, where Drew was sitting, drinking his glass of water. He bent his head and started to cry noisily, his whole body shaking with the sobs. He was clutching Bluebob tightly, burying his face in the cuddly toy. Pearl went rigid with fear. Stop, Drew, she screamed in her mind. But it was too late.

  Seth reached him in three strides. He picked up the glass and flung it across the room, where it smashed into pieces against the wall. He grabbed Bluebob and began ripping the toy apart at the seams, stuffing fluttering around him like confetti. Pearl was frozen for a few seconds, then she shouted, ‘Drew!’ and ran over to them. She ran straight into Seth’s fist. His punch caught her on the cheek and her whole head jerked backwards, then she slammed to the floor.

  ‘Look what you made me do!’ Seth roared. ‘You stupid, stupid woman.’

 
Drew made a break for it, and Pearl could see that he was thinking of running straight outside and down to the mews, to Tommy. That was his safe haven. But Seth caught him by the shirt and dragged him back. He drew back his arm and punched Drew full in the stomach. Drew made a sound like an airbag going off and doubled over, his arms wrapped around his middle. Seth boxed his ears, making him scream in pain. Pearl couldn’t bear it. Her face was aching with pain, but she forced herself up off the ground and stood in front of her son.

  ‘Please stop,’ she cried. ‘Don’t hurt him. It’s okay, Seth. I’ll try harder. I promise.’

  ‘You two are the biggest disappointment of my life,’ Seth said coldly. Pearl looked in his eyes and she knew this wasn’t alcohol, this was him choosing to hurt them. He was stone cold sober. This was pure hatred, pure anger, simple as that. This was just Seth, the man he was. For the first time, Pearl realised that there was no excuse.

  Seth grabbed her hair and swung her to the side, where she staggered and fell heavily again to the floor. Then he picked up Drew and threw him the other way. Drew landed where the glass had shattered and Pearl heard him cry out in pain.

  ‘Blood, blood, blood,’ he shouted in terror. The sight of blood caused him to have panic attacks, which is exactly what was happening now. His breathing came out in strangled gasps, his eyes bulged and he couldn’t stop shaking, his whole body shuddering in fear.

  Seth looked over at Drew, then back at Pearl. He fixed his tie and tucked in his shirt.

  ‘This is your fault, Pearl,’ he said. ‘Your behaviour tonight was entirely unacceptable. You need to clean yourself up, tell that wretched child to stop making that noise and tidy up this mess. We can talk properly in the morning. I do appreciate your acknowledgement that you need to try harder, but we can work out exactly what you need to do tomorrow.’

  He walked out of the kitchen, down the hall and up the stairs, as if nothing had happened. Pearl stared after him in disbelief. She began to wonder if she had imagined it all, if she was going crazy, but then she looked over at her beautiful, vulnerable son and she knew this was her nightmare reality. She crawled over to Drew, sobbing his name, reaching to comfort him. His shirt sleeve was soaked in blood. She gently undid the cuff button and rolled it back. One of the glass shards had cut him badly when he landed, and it was bleeding profusely. Pearl stared at the wound, and didn’t think she could manage it. Then she decided to do something she had never done before. She found her phone and shakily dialled 999.