Page 31 of Loving Netta Wilde

‘He’s getting a bit over friendly with Netta’s dog.’

His mum arched her eyebrows again. He knew what she was thinking. Like dog, like owner. He turned to Clive. ‘Can a bitch get pregnant if she’s not in season?’

Clive frowned. ‘I wouldn’t know. I’m a doctor, not a vet. I do know one though. I’ll ask.’

Doogie let himself in with the spare key Netta had given him. A delicious aroma of something cooking filled the air. He followed the sound of the radio in the kitchen and found Geraldine standing in front of the table with her hands in a big bowl. She looked up at him and then around him. ‘Is Spike not with you?’

‘I left him with a friend. He was annoying Betty.’

‘Oh I see. I’m making steak and mushroom pies for dinner. Nearly done with the pastry, then we can have a nice chat.’

She put the ball of raw pastry into the fridge and washed her hands. ‘Right we’ll leave that to chill for a bit. Shall we go into the breakfast room? We won’t go in the garden in case Colin’s out there.’

She asked him to make her a cappuccino in the coffee machine. He took it in and sat down with her. ‘Have you seen Colin then?’

She shook her head. ‘No. I expect he’s keeping a low profile. Have you?’

‘Only last night, from a distance. His face looked pretty bad though.’

Geraldine picked up her cup. ‘I never took to him, you know. I always felt bad about that. I suppose I thought it had in some way contributed to him being such a – I’m going to say it – bastard to my Netta.’

Doogie smiled. ‘I don’t think that was the reason.’

‘I know that really, but you know how it is when you have dark days.’

‘Yeah, I do.’

‘We always hoped you’d come back and whisk her away from him. Save her from disappearing into that soulless shell she’d become. Little did we know.’

‘I tried. She didn’t want me.’

Geraldine placed a hand on his arm. ‘I know, sweetheart. Is that what you’re doing here now? Trying to save her? Come on, love, you don’t think anyone believes that story about fancying a change, do you?’

‘Merrie told me. She keeps in touch with Liza. They talk.’

‘Those girls and their talk. Never stop. It was good of you to want to protect her.’

‘I couldn’t let him hurt her again.’

‘I understand. You feel you let her down last time. But you didn’t really. She wasn’t ready then. When she was, she found a way back on her own. That’s the thing about Netta, she doesn’t need anyone to save her. She’s very self-sufficient.’

Doogie couldn’t stop a heavy sigh escaping from him. ‘I know she is.’

She squeezed his arm. ‘That doesn’t mean she wants to do everything on her own. She still needs friends. And I’m glad you’re back in her life. As a friend.’

20

ALL IS NOT FORGIVEN

After last night, Netta wasn’t sure if Frank would come to the family meeting. They’d said some pretty strong things in the heat of the moment and when she’d messaged to invite him, his response had been short but not exactly sweet:I’ll be there.On top of that, it was his last day at college. He might have had other plans. Bugger. It was his last day. It should be a happy occasion, and she’d spoiled it for him with her half-cocked accusations. Although he had made it easy for her with his own accusations and shady behaviour.

‘You’re going to wear a hole in that spot,’ said Neil.

‘What?’ She looked down at the work surface she’d been cleaning for the last, however long. ‘Sorry. Lost in thought.’

‘Wanna share?’

‘Wanna listen?’

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