Page 85 of Loving Netta Wilde

He came in with a mug of tea. ‘Gee thought you might want this.’

‘Thank you. That’s very kind of her. She’s being exceptionally kind to me. Especially considering.’ He was going to say especially considering how much she hates me but for now, he was allowing himself to pretend she was doing all of this because she had a teeny tiny place in her heart for him. It was nonsense but it was the only thing he had to cling to at the moment.

It was nice to see the ex-father-in-law again. Other than Doogie’s mother and stepfather, who were not at all as he’d imagined they’d be, he’d only seen Geraldine since the incident. Not long after Doctor Clive had dosed him up with sleeping tablets, he’d thought Liza had come into the room but that might have been a dream. Or wishful thinking.

Arthur sat down in the chair. ‘She’s a kind person. She can’t bear to see someone suffering. She’ll get you right, Colin. In fact, we’re all working together to get you right.’

‘I see.’ He didn’t really but he was sure Geraldine would explain it to him when the time came. ‘I don’t suppose that includes my children.’

‘Yes, it does. Liza anyway, but Will’s been keeping up to date.’

‘Really? I thought they’d both?—’

‘You’re their dad, Colin. They worry about you.’

‘It’s not a given, Arthur. Being someone’s dad doesn’t automatically mean they will care about you. I know that for a fact. I, for example, can’t stand my father.’

‘That might be so, but if he was ill, you’d be at his bedside like a shot.’

‘Okay, Arthur. I give up. You’re right and the world is just rosy.’

‘You’re being sarcastic again.’

‘Sorry. I’ve got this notepad here. After you’ve gone, I’ll write a hundred lines. I must not be sarcastic.’

The ex-father-in-law raised his eyebrows, in contrast to his mouth which was very much on a downward trend. Colin had done it again. He sighed. ‘I apologise for being a despicable shit. Believe it or not, I am trying not to be.’

‘Apology accepted. I actually came up to give you some news. Ursula’s accepted an offer on her house. She’s talking about going away for a while.’

‘Oh. That was quick. I suppose it’s a very desirable house.’ His heart felt oddly heavy. Even though he knew he’d blown it with Ursula, the thought of her going away was crushing. ‘Did she say where she was going?’

‘Wales. To stay with friends. In a commune.’ Arthur’s eyes were wide, as if to say, imagine that.

Colin’s eyes matched Arthur’s. He hadn’t seen that coming at all. Although he could actually see Ursula fitting into a commune quite nicely.

‘And we’ve got some people interested in those allotments we cleared.’

‘Great. I think I’ll be well enough to come and finish that last bit off tomorrow or the day after.’

‘No need. Doogie’s already done it.’

‘But…’ He wanted to say that patch was his to finish but his lip was already trembling.

‘There, there now. Don’t be upset. It was only a few weeds.’

‘I know. I just… I just wanted it to be me that finished it. And now he’s robbed me again.’

‘Who’s robbed you?’

‘Chambers. I’ve been robbed.’

48

THE MAN WHO COULDN’T CRY

With it being Sunday, they’d agreed not to keep watch on Colin’s house, so Doogie was taking it easy in the kitchen after the dog walk. Arthur had gone up to see Colin and give him the news about Ursula. He was now back in the kitchen looking a bit worried. ‘I’ve upset Colin.’

Geraldine had been putting together sausage and bacon sandwiches, along with Neil, until that moment. She stopped, leaving half a sausage stuck on the end of the fork she was holding in mid-air. ‘How have you managed that?’

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