Page 15 of Loving Netta Wilde

She seemed pleased with his observation. ‘Thanks. I’m trying to be bolder and freer.’

‘Well, you’re getting there, for sure. Has your dad said anything about getting back to his painting? Your mum said he had some commissions waiting.’

‘No. He hasn’t said much about anything since Arianne messaged to say she’d changed the locks. I kind of want to go and kick the door in or something but when I told him, he asked me to stay away. I just don’t get it. When we were kids and all living in that house, he was horrible to Mum. Like, he really controlled her. And now he lets Arianne treat him like a doormat. I’m not saying I want him to be back to the way he was with Mum, but I wish he’d stand up for himself.’

‘We’ll have to get him back to doing some painting. That might revive him. If you get a chance, tell him he can use this place. I’ve offered already, but I’m not sure he thinks I’m serious.’

Liza frowned. ‘You’re kinda nice, aren’t you?’

‘I have an ulterior motive. We need to help him get his house back before Will comes home.’ It wasn’t exactly lying. They did need to get Colin away before Will came back from uni. But the real reason was that Frank wanted him gone. He and Netta hadn’t had words last Sunday, but she’d been pissed off with him over that remark he’d made. He wasn’t used to it and he didn’t like it. Nor did he like having Colin lurking about the place like some malevolent spirit. So no, he wasn’t being nice. He was doing whatever he could to get that sneaky shite as far away as possible.

‘Boring. I thought you’d have a much more exciting ulterior motive,’ said Liza.

‘Such as?’

‘Oh I don’t know. Maybe something like you wanted to ask Mum to marry you.’

What the feck? Frank almost fell off his seat. ‘Well that came from nowhere. Why would you be saying something like that?’

‘Dunno. I suppose because you’re great together.’

‘That’s very nice of you to say so, but your mum and me haven’t talked about marriage. We’re happy as we are.’

‘So you don’t want to get married then?’

‘I didn’t say that. It’s just never occurred to me, to us.’ Well, it hadn’t occurred to him, and he was pretty certain it hadn’t occurred to Netta either. Had it?

‘We all think you should go for it.’

‘Do you now? And who might “we” be?’

‘Me, obviously. Robyn.’

‘Oh, so you’ve discussed it with Robyn?’

‘Yeah. She thinks it’s a great idea. So do Kelly and Will.’

Bamboozled. Frank was feeling bamboozled. He was having a lovely day painting and suddenly he was in the middle of an ambush. Could he be ambushed by one person? He could if shehad back up allegedly provided by all of the younger members of their hybrid family. He needed an escape route. Think, think. ‘Talking of Will, have you spoken to him since your dad got here?’

‘No, I’m avoiding him in case I let it out. Mum said she’ll tell him when she picks him up from York, if Dad’s still here. Nan’s said Dad will have to go and live at theirs if he hasn’t got his shit together by then. Oh my life, can you imagine that?’

No, Frank could not imagine that, but seeing as Geraldine was now walking through the gate between his garden and Netta’s he decided to take the opportunity to find out if it was correct. ‘Is that right, Geraldine? Have you offered to put Colin up?’

Geraldine stepped in through the French windows. ‘Hopefully it won’t come to that, but yes I have. Although I’m not sure Arthur’s too keen, but we all have to make sacrifices, don’t we?’

Liza giggled. ‘Nan, you know Dad would hate that?’

‘Yes. And excuse me for being blunt, sweetheart, but there’s not much your dad doesn’t hate. He’ll just have to live with it, unless we can find an alternative. Like I said, sacrifices. Isn’t that right, Frank?’

‘Er, yes indeed.’ Geraldine was giving him a look that probably meant something. Unfortunately, Frank had no idea what it was.

‘Anyway, I was about to go and meet a friend for coffee, but she’s had to cancel, which is a shame because I just fancied a cappuccino.’ Geraldine was giving him another of those looks. This time, however, Frank knew exactly what it meant.

‘Will I make you one here, Geraldine?’

‘Oh that would be lovely, Frank. Thank you. Liza, why don’t you pop back over to yours? I’ve made some muffins thismorning. Bring three back with you. They’re blueberry and oat, Frank. Almost healthy.’

It was no use arguing with Geraldine and actually, her blueberry and oat muffins were delicious. Frank set about making three coffees on his machine which was exactly the same as the one that lived in Netta’s house but somewhat older and tattier.

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