‘I thought you were travelling?’ Stu said in a clipped, tight voice. ‘Surely you can get on with your holiday now you’ve met her, then, if you really have to, come back and say goodbye?’
‘I’m not going anywhere for a while. I’m here for Rosie… and it’s what she wants, too.’ Brad could see Jane frowning now. She took a step towards them then stayed where she was.
Stu shrugged. ‘Well, we’re not sure about our family plans for next weekend, so perhaps you could ring towards the end of the week?’
Brad felt anger begin to bubble up and raised his voice so that it carried down the hallway. ‘You’re still trying to stop me getting to know Rosie, aren’t you?’
‘I’m trying to make sure this thing doesn’t go too far. You’ve got your own life and family in Australia, so you won’t be around for long.’
Jane moved forward to join them. ‘We’ve nothing planned for next Saturday, Stu. She could easily go out with Brad again then.’ She smiled apologetically at the visitor. ‘We don’t want to disturb her schoolwork during the week, though. Next year is her final year at school, so she needs to build a good foundation this year.’
‘An evening out wouldn’t be particularly disruptive, surely? I could take her to tea, have her back by eight thirty.’
‘Let’s just leave it till Saturday this time, shall we?’
Stu gave him a triumphant smile. ‘Enjoy your holiday Mr Rosenberry.’
Behind him, Jane caught Brad’s gaze and shook her head in warning.
He closed his eyes for a minute, breathed deeply then turned and left. Only when he lifted his hands to grip the steering wheel did he realize how deeply his nails had dug into the palms.
* * *
Stu closed the door with a thump and turned to look at Jane, but after one disgusted look, she walked away from him. He looked up as a door slammed, hesitated then went into his den and shut himself in. His whole world was breaking up, it seemed. Whatever he did, he upset someone. And all he wanted was hold his family together and stay in the home and town he loved.
Why was that too much to ask?
He switched on the computer and flicked through some of his resource program files, not getting the usual urge to create more. He kept seeing Jane’s disapproving face. Why could she not understand how he felt? Was she still attracted to Rosenberry? Sighing he began to play solitaire.
Only when he was in here did he feel at all in control of life.
* * *
When the door closed behind her husband, Jane made her way quietly up the stairs. She found her daughter standing by the window watching Brad’s car pull away. ‘So… how did it go?’
‘It went very well. He’s really easy to talk to and I was finding out about his children. Just think, I have an older brother and sister.’
‘Half-brother and -sister.’
‘You don’t correct me when I call Casey my brother. It’s the same relationship.’
‘Well, you and Casey have been brought up together. The others are much older than you and you’re not likely to meet them, are you?’
‘I could if I went out to visit Brad in Australia. I’ve got nieces and nephews there, too, you know.’
Jane stared at her in shock. ‘Has he asked you to do that?’
‘No. He hasn’t said a word about it. But it’s what I was planning to do before I knew he was coming to England, take a gap year, spend part of it earning some money, then use it to go to Australia.’
‘I don’t think your father would approve of that.’
‘I heard my father just now speaking to Brad and if you want the truth, I’m ashamed of his attitude.’
‘You’re not to speak about him like that!’ Jane snapped.
‘Why not? He’s drinking himself silly every night, acting the grouch all the time and being rude to people.’
There was silence, then Jane said quietly, ‘You need to make allowances, Rosie. He’s going through a traumatic time.’
‘So am I! And you don’t seem to notice that, either. You just notice what Dad needs. I come a long way second.’
They stared at one another, then Jane moved towards the bedroom door, using the tactic that had stood her in good stead at other times. ‘Let’s wait till we cool down to discuss this. I don’t want to quarrel with you.’
‘You never want to quarrel with anyone because you want things to go smoothly and if they don’t, you back away. Sometimes people have to stand up for things that matter to them. And if you don’t let me see Brad while he’s here and see him more than once a week, too, I’ll think a lot less of you as well as Dad. And what about my mobile? Are you still going to keep that?’
But she was talking to herself. Her mother had gone. Typical!
Casey came across to her room. ‘I couldn’t help overhearing.’
‘You always do.’
‘Hey, I’m on your side here.’
Rosie looked up at him, tears still welling in her eyes. ‘Sorry. I’m a bit upset.’
‘You can use my mobile to ring him, if you want.’
‘I don’t want to get you in trouble. I’ll use a phone box. I’ll be back at school next week anyway, so they can’t watch me every second. Dad’s acting like a spoilt brat who can’t have what he wants. Even I know jobs come and go these days. Has he had his head in the sand for the past few years or what?’
Casey propped himself against the doorpost and considered this. ‘I reckon he has. He’s so devoted to those students of his that it doesn’t leave much time for anything but family and work. And even when he’s at home, he spends half his life in that den of his. He hasn’t come to watch me play soccer or cricket this year, you know. Not once. And it’s pretty good to make both teams, like I have. He’s always apologizing, saying he’ll come next time. As if. Even you’ve come a couple of times and you’re not into sport.’
With one of his shrugs, he slouched back to his room.
Rosie shut the door and went to sit on the bed, thinking through her talk with Brad, the things he’d told her.
He hadn’t said a word of criticism against her father and mother, which she respected. Best of all, she was starting to feel very comfortable with him.
She hoped her dad would come out of this black mood soon, though. The whole house seemed full of unhappy echoes lately.
She could see why people grew up suddenly. Life wasn’t easy and you became aware of that. Relationships were complicated and got more complicated as you grew older. But Mum had always said that family mattered most. Why couldn’t she and Dad see that Brad was now part of Rosie’s family?
* * *
Stu came home from school on the Monday looking even grimmer than before. Jane’s heart sank as she saw him slam his car door and kick an empty plant pot out of the way. What now?
‘Hi.’ He came into the kitchen and went straight for the fridge, pulling out a bottle of wine. Catching sight of her disapproving expression he said, ‘Don’t start on me. If any man has a right to drown his sorrows, it’s me.’
‘What’s happened now?’
‘They’ve given the assistant teacher’s job to someone from the other school. So I won’t even be in the Resource Centre in the new school. It’s Binnings’ doing, of course. He wants to drive me out of the area.’
‘Oh, Stu, I’m so sorry.’
He held up the bottle with a questioning look and she shook her head. ‘I’m driving. It’s the meditation class tonight.’
‘Can’t miss your bloody meditation, can you?’
‘It’s very calming. You should try doing something like that.’
‘To borrow one of Casey’s favourite expressions: As if!’
She sat down opposite him at the table. ‘What are you going to do?’
‘They’ve offered me a position as an English teacher.’
‘You’ll hate that.’
His words seemed to drip acid. ‘I have a mortgage and family to support. I don’t have any choice but to accept.’ He
raised the glass in a mocking toast and took a defiant swallow.
Casey came in, looked at his father and rolled his eyes at his mother as if to say not again. ‘What’s for tea?’
‘Burgers, chips and salad.’
‘Two out of three are good.’
‘But you don’t get those two till after you’ve eaten your salad.’
‘You’re a bully, Ma, do you know that?’
‘Don’t cheek your mother!’ Stu said sharply.
‘I’m not! It’s a joke between—’
‘And don’t answer back!’
Casey looked at him in disgust. ‘Whatever happened at your school today isn’t my fault and I resent you taking it out on me.’
Stu glared at him. ‘Go to your room!’
Casey picked up his school bag and stamped up the stairs.
Jane went to get him a snack to last him till teatime. When she picked up the plate and glass of milk, Stu snapped, ‘Do you have to spoil him?’
‘He’s a growing boy, needs plenty of food.’
‘Well, don’t worry, he’ll get it. I’ll still keep working to provide it.’
When she went up, Casey was at his beloved computer, playing a lightning fast game that involved moving coloured squares around the screen. He turned around with a hostile expression on his face but relaxed when she held out the tray.
‘It’s doing my head in, Dad being like this,’ he muttered.
She kept her voice low, too. ‘It’s been a bit heavy going lately, I agree. But he’s just had more bad news today so please try to make allowances.’
There was the sound of raised voices in the kitchen and Rosie came running up the stairs. She didn’t try to speak quietly as she called across the landing, ‘What’s with Dad? I hardly opened my mouth and he was telling me off, saying I don’t appreciate what he’s doing for me.’
‘He’s found out he won’t even be working in the resource centre at the new school.’
‘Oh. That’s hard. But it’s not my fault, is it?’
‘Shall I get you a snack, Rosie? It’ll be better if you stay up here.’
‘No, thanks. I’m not hungry.’
‘Tea will be a quickie tonight. I’m going to the meditation class again. There are two a week and I find them very calming.’
Rosie let out a little huff of anger. ‘We could all do with some of that at the moment.’
‘You could come with me. They’re women only classes, but another woman brings her daughter.’
‘No, thanks. I’ve got too much homework to do. I’m still making up for stuff I missed last week. You’d think so close to the end of term they’d relax a bit but no, they’re piling it on.’
Jane went into the bedroom to give herself a minute or two to cool down before she confronted Stu. When the phone rang, she automatically picked it up, but he must have done so as well. She was about to put the receiver down when she heard Brad’s voice. Oh, no! There couldn’t have been a worse time to ring.
She winced as Stu was incredibly rude then slammed the phone down. She set her hand piece into the cradle rather more gently, then buried her face in her hands.
Things couldn’t go on like this. And she wasn’t backing Stu up on this latest attempt to keep Rosie away from Brad.
Only – she didn’t want to fight Stu in front of the kids.
* * *
Brad went to sit in the bar just off the hotel lobby, still feeling angry about his phone call. Damn the man! he thought as he ordered a glass of beer.
When a newcomer walked in and approached the reception, looking uncertain and nervous, Brad watched her in idle curiosity. She waited and when no one appeared, she looked round for a bell to ring.
It was the label PER on her luggage that made him walk across. ‘They’re just changing shifts. The new receptionist will be here in a minute. Just got in from Perth?’ He could see how exhausted she was.
‘Yes. It’s a long flight.’
‘Tell me about it. I made it myself recently. Group torture, I call it.’ He held out one hand. ‘I’m Brad Rosenberry, another Aussie.’
She studied him guardedly as she shook hands. ‘Gina Porter. How did you know I was from Perth?’
He pointed to her luggage. ‘I had the same labels on my suitcase when I arrived. Ah, here’s the receptionist. I’ll leave you to settle in.’ He moved back to his seat in the bar and took a sip of beer, wondering what to do with the evening. Stu had made it more than clear that he wasn’t welcome to take Rosie out to tea during the week, then had hung up before he could answer, which was probably a good thing, because Brad was trying not to give Rosie’s dad any reason to complain.
It was like dealing with a hostile porcupine, though.
On an impulse, when Gina turned from reception to go up to her room, he went across the lobby to her. ‘Come and have a drink when you’ve settled in.’ He gestured to the bar. ‘I’ll be here.’
‘Oh. Well, all right. Thank you.’
He didn’t know what had made him do that. He didn’t usually invite strangers to have drinks with him, especially females. But Gina looked a bit lost and he was feeling lonely today. And tired as she was, she was attractive: natural-looking and maturely feminine. He didn’t want her to think he was trying to pick her up with a sexual encounter in mind, though.
When Bridie stepped out of the lift, he realized how he could make Gina feel more comfortable with him and beckoned to the older woman. ‘Fancy a drink? I met a woman from Perth in the lobby just now and she’s coming down for a drink in a little while, so if you’d like to join our merry company…?’
‘Why, thank you, Brad. I’ll have a pink gin, please. On ice. They know how I like it.’
There, he thought in satisfaction as he ordered it. The woman from Perth wouldn’t feel threatened with Bridie here. And he’d have some company to take his mind off his disappointment.
* * *
As Gina rode up to her room in the lift, she decided not to take the stranger up on his offer of a drink. She didn’t know why she’d accepted, really, except that he had a kind expression and seemed friendly. But you never knew. Both her daughters had warned her to be careful who she got talking to. A woman on her own was such an easy target.
She dumped the suitcase on the bed and studied the room. It was perfectly clean and neat, but decorated in dull colours that wouldn’t show the dirt. And the subtle lighting did little to brighten it up. Dimly lit rooms always made her feel depressed.
Which was why she changed her mind and decided to accept the offer of a drink. She whipped out a change of clothes without unpacking the rest and took a hasty shower.
Not bothering about make-up, she brushed her hair, picked up her shoulder bag and left her room. If the man wasn’t in the bar, there was nothing lost. She could have a drink on her own and then see about some food.
Brad was in the bar, however, sitting talking to an elderly lady as if he knew her. That made Gina feel safer. When he saw her, he smiled and stood up, so she smiled back and walked across to join them.
‘This is Bridie Shapley. She’s a permanent resident at the hotel who’s taken pity on a lonely traveller. Bridie, this is Gina, who’s just arrived from Western Australia.’
They shook hands and she sat down.
‘What can I get you to drink?’
‘A glass of white wine, please.’
She fumbled for her purse.
‘My treat this time.’
When he’d gone to the bar, Bridie smiled at her. ‘He’s quite safe, you know.’
‘Pardon?’
‘Brad. He’s quite safe. He’s just lonely, not trying to pick you up for the wrong reasons. He’s taken me out for a couple of drives, which is a rare treat. I do miss being able to drive myself.’
‘Oh. Well, I—’ Gina broke off and admitted, ‘I was a bit worried. You never know.’
‘I’m not usually wrong in my judgement of people. That’s one of the few good things about old age, you un
derstand better what makes people tick. Mostly, it’s an obstacle course, growing old is, I mean. You leap over one health hurdle after another as the years build up. But it has its benefits, too.’
‘That’s what my dad used to say. I do miss him. He only died a couple of months ago.’
‘I’m sorry. It’s sad to lose a parent. I was married once, but my husband was killed in 1943 and I’ve no children. I regret that now, but I turned into a career girl after I lost Peter and it was either career or marriage in those days. I do have a few relatives still, but I rarely see them nowadays. I live in the hotel and that’s much better than being in an old folks’ home where everyone talks about nothing but their ailments.
Every now and then I meet someone interesting to talk to, like Brad. I’ve friends I visit, though I’m losing them one by one.’ She picked up the glass and smiled at it. ‘And I can enjoy the odd drink whenever I want to here, without anyone checking up on me. Some people tend to treat us oldies as if we’re witless children. So annoying.’
‘There you are. Sorry it took so long.’ Brad set a glass of white wine in front of Gina and slid into the edge of the circular booth. He raised his glass. ‘To us all!’
Gina insisted on buying the next round and found out there were bar snacks of a substantial nature, so checked with her companions and they all ordered steak sandwiches, which Bridie assured them were excellent.
An hour or so after eating Gina felt her eyes growing heavy and was unable to hold back a huge yawn.
Brad grinned at her. ‘The jet lag’s catching up with you now.’
‘Yes. I’ll have to go and get some sleep.’
‘Join us for breakfast – if you’re up in time. It’s better to keep to UK hours as soon as possible.’
‘I’ll do that.’ She found her way up to her room and crawled into bed, feeling happier than she’d expected. What nice people Brad and Bridie were. But there was something making him look sad when he wasn’t involved in the conversation. She wondered what it was.
Family Connections Page 18
