Page 77 of Loving Netta Wilde

Netta’s phone rang. She pulled it out of her back pocket. It was Doogie. He hadn’t come back last night. He was probably calling to apologise now that he’d cooled off.

‘Take it,’ said Liza.

She answered the call. ‘I haven’t got time right now for a chat.’

‘I’m calling about Colin. He’s had a meltdown but he’s all right now. My mum and stepdad came over. Clive’s a doctor. I’m worried about Liza though. I think they had an argument.’

‘She’s here with me. A bit upset but otherwise all right. Will you stay with him?’

‘Yeah, yeah. He’s in Will’s bed. I’ll keep an eye on him.’

‘Is it Dad?’ said Liza.

Netta ended the call. ‘Yes. Doogie must have gone home and found him in the middle of a meltdown. He’s taken care of him and he’s resting in Will’s bed. I’ll collect my things and we’ll go. Why don’t you drop a message out to the group chat and let them know he’s safe and sound?’

‘Okay. Mum, do you think if Doogie hadn’t turned up he might have done something?’

‘No, I don’t. You mustn’t think this is on you, Liza.’

She frowned. ‘But it sort of is, isn’t it? Maybe it was about time though. Maybe I had to tell him the truth to make him see.’

The last time Netta had seen Doogie’s mum, she’d had gorgeous, long, naturally red hair. It was shorter now and there was more silver than red but as soon as Julie smiled at her, the years slipped away.

‘Well this is turning out to be quite a momentous day. For the first time since he was a wee boy, that one’s asked for my help, and now I get to see you again. And if that’s not enough excitement, I’m about to meet the mother of my granddaughter.’ Julie looked over Netta’s shoulder. ‘And you have got to be Liza. You look just like your mum did the last time I saw her.’

‘Yeah, people say we look alike,’ said Liza.

Julie gestured towards the man standing behind her. ‘This is Clive, my husband.’

Clive shook her hand. ‘Hello, Netta.’ It was a formal gesture, but it was done in a warm and friendly way. That would be his doctor’s training kicking in.

Netta took him in, this clean-cut, quietly spoken man. Everything about him was understated. He was nothing at all like Doogie’s dad. Nevin Chambers had been loud and flashy. Not in a negative way, but he was definitely the kind of man who filled the room with his presence. When he was around, you knew about it.

‘Shall we move from the hall so we can talk more freely?’ said Clive.

‘How about the living room?’ said Doogie.

Clive touched Doogie’s back. ‘Perfect.’

She didn’t know whether it was the touch or the one single uttered word, but a look temporarily settled on Doogie’s face that she didn’t think she’d ever witnessed in him before. Adoration was the only word she could think to describe it. Quiet man or not, Clive had achieved something that Nevin Chambers had never been able to do.

Clive positioned himself in front of the fireplace. ‘He’s going to be all right. He’s very dehydrated and I doubt if he’s eaten anything substantial for two or three days. He’s been on quite a bender, but I think he’ll survive with some rest. By the look of him, he’s been through the wars.’

‘He doesn’t drink a lot normally,’ said Liza.

‘I think he’s been having a rough time with his partner. She may have lashed out at him,’ said Netta.

‘That would explain it. He’s rather underweight for his frame and height. Just an observation. It’s probably nothing. When he’s up to it, I’d suggest a proper medical. I can recommend someone who’ll do it quickly, and reasonably, if necessary,’ said Clive. ‘Well, we have to go. We’re meeting Claire. Doogie, call me if you need to.’

‘Are you not going with them?’ said Netta.

‘Not this time. Anyway, I’ve got to keep my eye on Colin. Clive’s given me instructions.’ Doogie looked to Clive and all at once he was a little boy hoping for approval. He got it. Clive returned the look with one that was so genuinely full of affection and pride, Netta’s heart almost burst with love for him.

‘I’ll go and look in on Dad,’ said Liza, after they’d gone.

Netta went into the kitchen and filled the kettle. She didn’t really need a drink but making a tea in times of crisis was the thing people did, wasn’t it? British people anyway. There was a bundle of cloth on the table that looked a lot like Will’s favourite old sweatshirt. The one that had been missing for a while. She picked it up and found it was indeed the sweatshirt. In tworather unequal halves. Then she noticed the kitchen window was cracked.

‘Colin did that,’ said Doogie.

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