Page 97 of Finding Jacob
I was greeted as if nothing had happened, as if no time had passed without contact. There was chat of holidays and photos on phones were shared around. They asked about Paloma and whether we should still have that baby shower. Not one asked me about Jacob or the court case. I wasn’t sure whether I was thankful or not for that.
We drank the same drink, ate the same salads, as we always did. It was as if I’d slipped back in time. Prior to getting that bloody wedding invitation, and after a little while, I started to appreciate that. I knew I’d never get back to the level of friendship we’d all enjoyed, but for that day, it was nice to just forget everything and gossip.
“So, Hayley got caught having an affair and you’ll never guess with whom?” Julie said.
I had to think who Hayley was to begin with, then remembered, it was her sister-in-law, her ex-husband’s sister.
“Who?” I asked.
“Have a guess,” she said, laughing.
“The milkman?” I guessed.
“No. Only bloody Paul, my brother Paul.”
I frowned. “So your sister-in-law had an affair with your brother?”
“Yep. I mean, she’s only an ex-sister-in-law by marriage but it’s a bit close, isn’t it!”
Julie hadn’t been liked by her in-laws because she was older than her husband at the time they’d married. Not that they were still married, though. She said that she was loving the shame that had finally befallen on the family and from a daughter rather than a daughter-in-law. She laughed so hard; we all had no choice but to join in.
“So, how did whatsherface take it? The mother-in-law?”
“She’s taken herself off to a spa or some kind of retreat!”
Julie had married into a rather strict Catholic family when she was way too young, according to his mother. He wasn’t the father of her daughter and that had caused all sorts of issues for her new mother-in-law at the time. Since her divorce, she hadn’t had any contact with the family, but the news that her brother wasdoinking,as she called it, her ex-sister-in-law was entertainment.
We finished our lunch, and I checked my phone. I had a few messages from Nathan.
“I’m going to need to leave,” I said, while replying that I was ready to be collected.
“And how is the delightful Nathan?” Julie asked.
“Still the same, just busier now he’s taken over Jac...” I didn’t finish my sentence when I saw how uncomfortable everyone became.
I laughed, bitterly. “I’m sorry my predicament isn’t a topic of conversation for you and thank you for asking after Jacob.” They hadn’t, of course.
I stood and laid some money down on the table. Dory picked up the money and handed it back to me. “I’m sure it’s the girls turn to pay,” she said, linking her arm with mine and leading me away.
“What a bunch of...” I took a deep breath in and exhaled. As if my life wasn’t difficult enough, I had to think of those bitches not wanting to really know what was going on in my life. It dawned on me how superficial they were, then.
I shook my head while we waited on the curb side for Nathan. I saw his car stuck in traffic and started to walk towards it. I wanted away from the restaurant. It struck me then; I didn’t have anything in London to return for once my business was sold. Dory was all over the country and more than happy to come to me, I never had to set foot on its streets again. It was a dramatic statement to make, and one born from anger, of course, but I just wanted to get home.
“Good lunch?” Nathan asked as we piled into the back of the car.
“No. What happened in court once we left?” I asked, wanting the more important details.
“Jacob gave his statement, there was no cross examination. I don’t think the defence really could say anything to him, to be honest. His injuries were listed and—” He paused and looked into the rear-view mirror.
“Go on,” I said.
“And the long-term damage from the brain injury. It seems he’s likely to be in a wheelchair for longer than originally thought. He’s making lots of progress, he can walk between the bars, but not unsupported.”
“What is actually stopping him from walking?” Dory asked.
“The nerve damage mostly,” I replied. “The neuropathways were damaged in his brain. He must train his brain to use other pathways to send messages. So, right now, he has to basically learn to walk again and the longer that takes, the more muscle wastage occurs. It’s a vicious circle for him. He can’t walk until he builds up muscle, he can’t build up muscle if he can’t move his legs,” I replied.
Again, Nathan looked at me. “Unless there is more I don’t know. I wouldn’t be surprised,” I added.
