The lounge was as impressive as the rest of the house. Light streamed through the huge bay windows and, because the top panels were colourful stained glass, it was like a rainbow bursting into the room. Sitting down on the smaller of two sofas, I smiled at Ed. ‘Beautiful lounge.’
‘Thank you. We think so.’ He placed his glass of wine on a coaster and sat on a high-backed armchair. ‘Rhys tells me you work in a care home. I can’t imagine that pays very well.’ And Mr Nasty is back in the room.
‘It’s not the best, but I don’t do it for the money. I do it because I love my job.’
‘Running round after old people all day, cleaning their rooms and wiping their backsides?’
Keep smiling. ‘Most of our residents are completely independent so I don’t need to do anything like that.’
‘What do you do then?’
‘Run errands, organise activities, help them make their rooms feel homely, distribute medication… It varies every day. And I’m a team leader now so my role’s changing.’
Ed looked bored. ‘You can dress it up however you like, but it sounds to me like you run after old people all day, cleaning their rooms and wiping their backsides.’
Yes, well, it would, wouldn’t it? Rhys had said his dad had tunnel-vision so it was pointless trying to change his mind about a job he clearly knew nothing about.
‘Rhys has some amazing plans for landscaping the gardens there,’ I said, keen to change the subject. ‘He’s so talented.’
Ed gave a snort. ‘He’s a gardener. That hardly takes much talent, does it? Not like his sister, Debbie, who’s a barrister. Now that takes talent. That’s a career to be proud of. Anyone can dig a few holes or push a lawnmower.’
What an absolute git! I didn’t mind him criticising me, but I wasn’t going to stand by and let him belittle the man I loved. ‘Yes, they probably can, but could they redesign five acres of sloping land to make it accessible for those with mobility issues? That takes real talent, and your son has that in spades. You should be very proud of him.’ It was my turn to play the staring game. ‘Didn’t you start off as a labourer?’ I asked, my tone as smooth as honey. Ed blinked. Ha! Gotcha!
‘Yes, we all have to start somewhere, but then I developed the business into something spectacular.’
‘By the time you were Rhys’s age?’
‘No. These things take time.’
‘Yes, they do.’ I nodded as I held his gaze. I was pretty sure he realised he’d just made my point for me and I longed to stick my tongue out at him and say, ‘so ner’.
‘Coffee!’ announced Jenny, bursting through the door. Rhys followed her holding a tray of mugs, cream, and a plate of wafer-thin mint chocolates. Posh ones.
‘What have you two been talking about?’ she asked, taking a seat on the larger sofa as Rhys sat down beside me.
I wasn’t sure how to respond, but Ed beat me to it. ‘Callie was just telling me all about her job and the wonderful work our son is doing in the gardens there.’ Ooh, sarcasm!
‘Oh! How lovely! We must visit Bay View and see the gardens when they’re finished,’ Jenny gushed.
‘We’ll do no such thing,’ Ed snapped. ‘Not while she’s living there. I have no intention of ever meeting that woman.’
‘You mean Ruby?’ It was out of my mouth before I could stop myself.
All heads turned towards me.
‘It’s none of your business,’ Ed growled.
‘But she’s a wonderful lady. I know she had you adopted, but I really think that—’
Ed leapt to his feet and turned to Rhys. ‘Hadn’t you better be setting off back home? Wouldn’t want to be stuck in horrendous traffic like you were on the way here, would you?’
I hadn’t touched my coffee and I really wanted some of those chocolates.
‘I’m sorry,’ I said. ‘It’s just that she’s so lovely, and if you got to know her, you’d—’
‘Enough!’ Ed bellowed. ‘You don’t know me, young lady, so don’t you dare to presume that you do.’
‘It’s just—’
Rhys put his hand on my knee. ‘Leave it, Cal,’ he whispered. ‘It’s not worth it.’ He stood up and indicated with a slight movement of his head that I should too.
‘Mum, that was an amazing lunch as always. Thank you. I’ll see you soon.’ He gave her a hug and a kiss on the cheek. She nodded and tried to smile, but I could see the pain of the confrontation on her face and in the tears glistening in her eyes.
‘Goodbye, son.’
‘Thanks, Jenny,’ I said. ‘I’m really sorry. I shouldn’t have—’
She shook her head. ‘It was lovely to meet you, Callie. I mean that.’
‘I’ll see you to the door.’ Ed might as well have said, ‘I’ll escort you off the premises and don’t ever come back’, because that was clearly what he meant.
In the hall, Ed thrust our coats at us without a word.
‘Dad,’ Rhys said, by way of a goodbye.
‘Rhys,’ he replied.
I said nothing, not wanting to thank him as he’d clearly done nothing to prepare the meal and unwilling to apologise again because he’d been rude about my job, his son and Ruby, so he was the one in the wrong. I only hoped that Rhys wasn’t mad at me.
Ed opened the door before we had a chance to fasten our coats. An icy draft enveloped me, but it wasn’t nearly as cold as the atmosphere inside the house.
22
‘I’m sorry, Rhys,’ I whispered when we were seated in the van. ‘I didn’t mean to stir things up.’
‘I know. It wasn’t you. I should have warned you about him. I thought… hoped… he’d be on his best behaviour.’ He fastened his seatbelt. ‘I know it’s cold and it’ll be dark soon, but do you fancy a walk round the city walls rather than heading straight back?’
‘Sounds good. Unless you’re planning to push me off the walls for upsetting your dad.’
Rhys laughed. ‘No. But it’s tempting to take my dad and push him off.’
‘You’re sure you’re not mad with me?’
‘I’m not mad with you.’
‘Want to talk about it?’
He started the engine. ‘When we get to the walls.’
‘We have one of those difficult father-son relationships you hear about,’ Rhys said as we set off along the ancient stone walls surrounding York City Centre. ‘I don’t really know why.’
‘You haven’t had a fallout or anything?’
‘No. He’s always been off with me, even when I was a young kid. It’s weird because Mum said he was desperate for a son when Debbie was born, yet she’s always been the clear favourite and I’ve been the one who can never do anything right.’
‘He doesn’t think much of your career choice, does he?’
‘Why? Did he say something while I was in the kitchen?’
I told him about my conversation with Ed.
‘I’m sorry he had a go at your job,’ Rhys said when I’d finished. ‘It wasn’t about you. It was more about me.’
‘I don’t understand. Why’s he so down on your career when he started out as a labourer?’
‘I don’t think I’ll ever understand him. I’ve given up trying to impress him because I’ll never succeed. The way he tells it, you’d think he was a company director from the start, but it took years to get to that point. He was in his late thirties when he made it.’
‘But you’re only twenty-five. What does he expect?’
‘Something that makes a lot of money, like Debbie.’
We continued along the city walls, up and down steps. Dusk fell and so did a blanket of freezing fog so we retreated to a pub and settled in front of a roaring fire.
‘Was your dad funny about you finding Ruby?’ I asked.
‘Not funny. Dismissive. He said I could do what the hell I liked as long as I didn’t expect him to meet her if I found her. I think he expected me to fail. He’d make snide comments each time I hit a dead end but I tracked her down after about eight
months. When I told him she was living in Whitsborough Bay, you should have seen his face. He stormed out of the house and didn’t speak to me for weeks.’
‘Why do you think he wants nothing to do with Ruby?’
Rhys shrugged. ‘He won’t talk about it. Debbie and I assume it’s a self-preservation thing. In his mind, his mum didn’t want him so he doesn’t want her either. Easier to blank her out than find her and face rejection again. We could be wrong. As I said, I’ve given up trying to understand the man.’
‘And you’ve no idea who your grandad is?’
‘No. I hunted for Dad’s birth certificate when he was away once, but it says father unknown. Ruby’s the only one who can tell us who my granddad is, but she won’t, and I have to respect her for that.’
‘Would you like to know?’
‘I’d love to know. I’d love to meet him if he’s still around. I suspect he doesn’t know he has a son, though. I get the impression that Ruby never told him she was pregnant.’
I sipped on my lager, my mind whirring. Even though Rhys didn’t agree with me, I was still convinced Ruby was lonely. What if Ed’s dad had been the love of her life? Iris and William had found love again after six or seven decades apart. Could Ruby? Assuming Ed’s dad was single. And alive.
23
‘Oh my God! You scared the life out of me!’ I dramatically clutched my chest as I crossed the residents’ lounge a little after 6 a.m. a few days later.
Ruby continued to stare out the window into the darkness. ‘Sorry, darling.’
‘What are you doing in here so early?’
‘I couldn’t sleep.’
Her coral-coloured twenties-style dress was rumpled, her hair was dishevelled and dark bags hung below her bloodshot eyes.
‘Are you okay? Do you need a doctor?’
She smiled. ‘Do I really look that terrible? No, darling, I’m well. Just a bit tired.’
‘Can I get you a cup of tea?’
‘You’re such a good girl,’ she said. ‘Thank you.’
When I returned with her drink, she was still staring out the window. ‘Did you hear the news?’ she asked without turning her head.
‘No. What news?’ My heart thumped. Perhaps another resident had passed away during the night. I hoped not.
She fiddled with the lacy hem of her dress. ‘Reggie’s brother only went and proposed to that dippy Iris Davies last night. Stupid woman said yes.’
‘Really? That’s amazing news.’
‘Do you think so, Callie?’
‘Of course it is! I take it you don’t.’
She finally looked at me. ‘They’ve only known each other for five minutes.’
‘They knew each other at—’
‘Don’t you dare say they knew each other at primary school. They’re in their seventies. That was a long time ago and they’ll both have changed beyond recognition since then. Five minutes. That’s all.’
‘Sometimes that’s all it takes to know you want to spend the rest of your life with someone. Look at Rhys and me.’
‘That’s different, darling.’
‘How?’
Ruby stared at me for a moment, then turned back to the window. ‘It just is. Haven’t you got some work to do?’
‘Yes. But my main responsibility is making sure our residents are happy so, right now, speaking to you is top of my task list.’
‘I can assure you that I’m fine. Why wouldn’t I be?’ She stood up. ‘I’m going back to my room for a lie-down before breakfast. I’ll see you later.’
There was no point in protesting. I didn’t like it, though. Ruby was far from okay and her reaction reaffirmed my belief that she was lonely. If Iris and William were getting married, Iris would probably move out and Ruby would miss her friend, no matter how much she protested that they weren’t close. I also couldn’t help thinking that Ruby wished she had someone special in her life, and I was determined to do something about it.
I was sorting out some paperwork in the office that afternoon when there was a knock on the open door. I looked up to see Ruby loitering in the doorway. She’d changed her clothes, pinned up her hair and carefully applied her make-up. This was the Ruby I knew and loved: strong, confident and immaculate.
‘Have you got a moment, Callie, darling?’
‘Of course. Grab a seat.’
Ruby sat down opposite me. ‘I’m sorry about this morning. I’m always grumpy after a sleepless night.’
‘Same here,’ I said. ‘You’ll still see her, you know.’
‘Who?’
‘I know you know who I mean. I saw Iris earlier. She says they’re getting married on Christmas Eve.’
‘So she tells me. Who gets married on Christmas Eve? People are far too busy to attend a wedding then. So selfish.’
I smiled. ‘I think it’s a lovely idea. I understand you’ve been asked to be matron of honour.’
‘Yes, well, the stupid woman hasn’t got any other friends to ask.’
‘Oh! So you admit that you’re friends.’
‘Fiddle faddle. We’re no such thing.’
My smile widened. ‘You keep convincing yourself that, Ruby. So, if you’re not friends, I assume you turned her down.’
‘She promised me a new dress in the style of my choosing, so I decided to go along with the charade. Just for the free dress, mind you.’
‘Of course. Just for the dress. What other reason could there possibly be?’
Ruby raised her eyebrows at me. ‘Has she invited you?’
‘Yes. And Rhys.’
‘Are you going?’
‘Yes. I’m not on the rota for that day and, even if I had been, I’d have swapped.’
‘Good. It might be bearable if my two favourite people are there.’ She stood up. ‘I’d better go and see what she’s up to. She was looking at wedding dresses on that interweb thingy earlier. I wouldn’t put it past her to order a huge white meringue designed for someone a quarter her age. I need to make sure she doesn’t do anything stupid because, free dress or not, I won’t stand next to a meringue.’
Ruby left the office. Thank goodness she was back to her usual self, but I still maintained that she was lonely, and I wanted to do something about it. Very soon.
24
The moment Rhys’s mobile rang early on Friday morning, I knew who it was and I knew exactly what she was going to say. I sighed and snuggled under the duvet, not even bothering to tune into Rhys’s half of the conversation as he paced around in the living area. We were meant to be catching the train to York for a spot of Christmas shopping. I’d fantasised about wandering through the cobbled streets, dipping in and out of all the little independent gift shops, our arms laden with exciting purchases. We’d have a boozy lunch and perhaps even look in a few jewellery shop windows… But Rhys had told Izzy our plans and I could have put money on her sabotaging things.
‘Don’t tell me,’ I said as he returned to the bedroom with guilt written all over his face. ‘Izzy needs you to look after Megan today.’
He nodded. ‘She says she’s got a job interview.’
I shuffled onto my elbows and looked at him. ‘And they phoned her at half seven to let her know?’
‘No. She knew a couple of days ago, but her best friend, Jess, was meant to be having Megan and she’s come down with a stomach bug.’
‘Megan will have to come Christmas shopping with us then. Only Izzy’s told you she can’t, hasn’t she?’ I tried to keep the sarcastic tone out of my voice, but I failed abysmally. It wasn’t fair.
Rhys sighed. ‘She says Megan’s got a temperature and needs to stay inside.’
I didn’t want to cry because it wasn’t fair on Rhys, but I was so damn frustrated by the whole situation. She kept pulling this sort of crap on us. What had I ever done to deserve it? They’d split up long before I came on the scene so why keep causing us problems like this?
‘You’d better go, then,’ I said, trying not to sound annoyed. ‘I hope Megan�
�s okay.’
Rhys sat beside me. ‘I’m angry with her too, you know.’
‘Don’t be nice to me,’ I whispered as a tear escaped.
‘I’ll make it up to you. I promise.’
‘You don’t owe me anything. It’s Izzy that’s the problem. Will you come round tonight?’
He nodded then kissed me gently, before dressing and abandoning me to go to her. Again.
I tried to get back to sleep but I couldn’t switch off. I didn’t believe for one minute that Izzy had a job interview, given that she’d had a baby specifically so she could live off benefits. Tempting as it was to stay under the duvet, seething, I wasn’t going to let her ruin my whole day. I texted Nick to see if he was free for lunch. He replied saying he could do a late lunch in town, his treat. Perfect.
I took a long shower, dressed slowly, and took what felt like ages over my breakfast, flicking through the morning breakfast programmes on the TV, yet it still wasn’t even 9 a.m. Could I be any more bored? I looked around the room for inspiration but the flat was clean and tidy. Rhys had been round on Tuesday night for all of fifteen minutes before being summoned to Izzy’s. Allegedly someone had tried the handle on her front door: Ooh, help me, I’m so scared. I’m all alone with our baby. What if he comes back? Somehow the damsel in distress had convinced Rhys to spend the night on her sofa. I trusted him implicitly, but I didn’t trust her, so I’d spent the evening in a rage-fuelled cleaning frenzy.
With nothing else to do, I hauled my artificial Christmas tree out of the garage and put a Christmas film on. Even decorating the tree – a task I usually relished – didn’t cheer me up.
‘You look tired,’ Nick said, when we’d taken our seats in The Chocolate Pot, my favourite café in a lovely cobbled street called Castle Street off Whitsborough Bay’s main shopping precinct.
Making Wishes at Bay View Page 13
