Page 106 of A Secret Cornish Wish
‘I’m not bothering him, Mum. He’s telling me all about making movies – it’s incredibly interesting.’
‘She’s not bothering me in the slightest, Claire.’ Rob smiles. ‘I’m more than happy to share what little knowledge I have.’
Alice gazes at Rob in a similar way I would have gazed at my posters of Bon Jovi when I was a teenager and I have to smile.
‘Where’s Rosie?’ Mandy asks, sitting down next to me as Mack goes to get our drinks.
‘Over there with Eddie and Dexter – she seems to be taking her role as flower girl pretty seriously. She can’t leave them alone now – and they seem to be loving it.’
Eddie is currently giving Rosie a piggyback while he talks to one of his guests.
‘Good. I wanted to talk to you.’
‘Oh, yes?’
‘Are you all right?’ Mandy asks with a serious expression.
‘Yes . . . ’ I reply a little hesitantly. ‘Why?’
‘What you said before . . . you know . . . about being depressed. Are you all right now? Because I know some really good people who can help you if you’re not. I’m talking the best – Harley Street, you know? They don’t come cheap – I should know, I’ve had far too many sessions with them over the last ten years. I’ll pay for you to see them. And before you say anything, it’s a gift from me to you. It’s not charity.’
I smile at Mandy. ‘That’s really kind of you to offer, Mandy, but I’m fine right now. Really. I had some pills for a while, but now my main therapy is painting.’
‘Painting?’ Mandy screws up her nose. ‘Really?’
‘Yes, really. I’m sure you can’t imagine it ever helping you with your troubles. But I find it really helps me. Some of my stuff can be a bit dark when I’m having rough days, but for the most part I find it lightens the load, and on occasion I produce some canvases I actually quite like.’
‘Whatever works for you,’ Mandy says, nodding. ‘You’re right, it would never have been my bag when I was having therapy, but I can see it’s doing you good. You always did like a bit of art and craft.’
I feel like pointing out it was more than a bit of ‘art and craft’. I did do a degree in fine art and art history. But I choose not to.
‘But if you ever need a little more help,’ Mandy adds, ‘the offer is there, all right? You only have to ask.’
‘Sure, and thank you.’
Mandy looks over at Rob, with Alice still hanging off his every word, and laughs. ‘Who would have put money on Claire’s daughter sitting there with your Rob twenty-five years ago? She’s about the age you were when you went out with him, isn’t she?’
‘A few years older, actually. It is odd, though. How things change, eh?’
‘Just a bit. Are you all right, though, in other ways I mean? You said earlier you had to give up your job?’
‘Yes, it wasn’t really working out when I had my problems. But I have my part-time job now, and of course Rosie’s father helps out with some money, so Rosie never goes without.’
‘But do you have enough money?’ Mandy asks, as always not beating about the bush. ‘Claire said she thought you might be struggling a bit.’
‘Did she?’ I say, eyeing Claire for a moment.
‘She wasn’t saying anything wrong, Frankie. She’s just a little worried about you, that’s all. She’s your friend – we’re all your friends. If you need help—’
‘I don’t.’
‘I know. But if you do, you only have to say.’ Mandy puts her hand over mine. ‘You’ve been there for all of us at one time or another. Especially me and Claire. If there’s any way we can give you something in return, then wewantto.’
‘I know.’ I tap her hand so it’s clasped in between mine. ‘I know, and if there is anything I’ll let you know, all right?’
‘Promise?’
‘Promise.’
