Page 21 of A Good Mother
CHAPTERFOURTEEN
She’d stoppedby the side of the road, leaning against a drystone wall while she took a breather and checked her Apple watch to see how far she’d run. Two minutes off. She’d beaten the previous day’s time. This made Gina smile. That and the fact Jimmy had been right. After just one month, running had given her a new lease of life. She was energised.
The endorphin buzz carried her through the day and better still, rather than being annoyed by hunger pains she reminded herself that her body needed fuel to sustain and prepare her for another circuit of the village. Appetite was good, it wasn’t the enemy. Not only that, she had her very own personal chef making her meals, very nutritious and balanced ones at that, so found herself counting the calories less.
But best of all, was the feeling she had when she ran. It was like nothing else, and she’d forgotten how much she’d enjoyed the sense of freedom. Just her and the road as her trainers pounded the ground below. Pushing herself harder, loving the trickle of perspiration between her shoulder blades. Swiping her forehead to remove the proof she was burning up every ounce of fat in her body.
Sometimes she listened to music but only when she passed through the village. When she hit the lanes on the outskirts she preferred the sounds of the countryside and also, it was best to be aware and alert because apart from the odd car or the odd cyclist passing by, the route could be quite deserted.
Jimmy made her promise to be sensible and stick to the routes she’d shown him, a deviation each day, in rotation so she’d be safe, just in case. Yes, they lived in a beautiful part of Cheshire, but it didn’t mean they could let their guard down. Bad things still happened in the nicest of places and nutters still roamed free, despite lockdown.
It was 6.37am. The air was fast losing its chill and if the forecasters were correct another glorious day was on the cards, so Gina fully intended making the most of her exercise hour before the Morgan family bubble went into action. Jimmy had always been a morning person so was happy to deal with feeding the monsters while she ran. Then once she returned, showered, and dressed, Gina took over and he hunkered down in his office for the morning.
Home-schooling Max was fun, and Mimi floated between joining in with her colouring book then wandering off to play with her toys. Gina was in charge of lunch, and the afternoons depended on Jimmy’s workload. If he had stuff to do, she entertained the monsters, and while Mimi had a nap she would work on her column for the online magazine.
If Jimmy was free then they’d all go for a walk along the lane and into the woods, even though technically she was pinching another hour of exercise time, they doubted anyone would notice, or care.
It was something of a miracle, but Gina actually found herself looking forward to each day, and even dinner! And if she tried really, really hard she could completely banish the gut-wrenching thoughts that had plagued her during the months before. While she had Jimmy all to herself, inside their glorious bubble, she could actually make-believe that Bella Young didn’t exist.
Gina constantly scrutinised Jimmy’s every facial expression and remark, searching for clues. In fact, she was becoming so acutely observant, she could be a body language expert. Like those who paid close attention to police suspects during interviews, or family members at news conferences as they plead for information. So far, there was absolutely nothing to report. Jimmy was just being Jimmy.
He’d not stepped foot out of the house unless it was with her and the kids. He was his usual daft and funny self, and nothing was too much trouble. He didn’t appear to be pining for his lover and was most attentive, extremely so when they were in bed which was another surprise. Unless he was making the best of a bad job until he could see Bella again.
Regardless, her heart fluttered when she saw him on the phone, looking serious and in deep conversation or laughing and smiling. Gina behaved like a covert agent, listening at doors, peering through the sheets as she hung them on the line. She could see him through the huge pane of glass that separated his upstairs office from the garden and whenever the opportunity arose she checked his phone for messages and recent calls. While he was in the bath she’d searched his desk, even his pockets and the recycling bin for notes. Nothing.
It was doing Gina’s head in because she’d been so sure he was up to something, and the clues added up. Three wrongs made her right.
The lie had come first.
Then the text:
I’ve left the key under the pot. Let yourself in and make yourself at home until I get there.
He must have deleted it soon after she saw it and that was a sure sign of guilt.
Then the voice note –I have to go away, bit of an emergency with the parents, but we can pick up where we left off when I get back, if you still want to. Sorry I missed your call, don’t be a stranger.Delete, delete, delete. She could imagine Jimmy erasing Bella’s words and being downcast because his bit on the side had buggered off. It made her sick, actually physically sick.
Maybe Bella had been visiting her parents in Italy and had got stuck there, unable to get a flight back. That’s why there’d been no more messages. No point in texting if they couldn’t meet up so he was making do with her while his lover was away. Unless he was being extra vigilant, extra sly. What if he had a secret phone, a cheat phone… Wasn’t that what they were called? What a mug!
She bent down to re-fasten the laces in her trainers, telling herself to stop driving herself mad and if she wanted to know the truth all she had to do was ask Jimmy or even Bella, and have done with it. She was a coward, though. That’s why she hadn’t punched Bella’s lights out long ago. Then she’d have known never to set foot in her house or even glance in Jimmy’s direction.
Instead, she’d let a vicious bitch get away with it all through her childhood and as a result, Bella thought she’d make Gina’s life a misery again, by ruining everything she held dear.
* * *
It had started at a pre-Christmas party Gina and Jimmy had hosted for family and friends. Gina wanted it to be a sedate kind of gathering, focusing on serving gorgeous food and wine and having a laugh, not a raucous late-night bash where her beautiful home might end up the worse for wear. They’d got the caterers in, with waiters to take care of the guests and – joy of joys – the clearing up afterwards.
They’d both been looking forward to it for weeks. Gina had thrown her all into turning the cottage into something you’d see in the Christmas edition ofCountry Life. She was still proud of the photos she’d taken before everyone arrived, of the decorations, the magnificent tree, the glowing fire, and the sumptuous festive feast.
Even Carmen was there, friend of the family and owner of Appleton Garden Centre where Gina had bought most of the adornments. Gina and Willow had worked there during school holidays and were close friends with Carmen’s middle daughter, Violetta. That evening their bohemian buddy was resplendent in a flowing emerald creation that set off her auburn hair, piercings, and notorious fiery temperament.
Max and Mimi were settled in the snug with their cousins watching a DVD, so Gina took the opportunity to spend some time with Violetta. Weaving her arm around her waist, Gina was rewarded with a hug and a huge smile, followed by a clink of glasses.
‘I have to say, Mrs Morgan, not only do you throw a fab party; you certainly know how to make four walls look next-level amazing. I thought my mum had the knack, but you’ve put her to shame… don’t tell her I said that though, or I’ll be in very deep poo!’ Violetta gave Gina a cheeky wink just as the doorbell rang and Jimmy shot into the hall.
The lounge was almost full, everyone seemed to be happy and chatting away so, turning to Violetta, Gina smiled. ‘Jimmy’s in his element when he’s entertaining so I’ll just leave him to it. Right, stranger, tell me, how are things going at work, and how’s Leo–’ She didn’t finish the sentence because of the look on Violetta’s face as she stared over Gina’s shoulder, her mouth agape. Naturally Gina turned to follow her gaze while Violetta’s next words were lost in a haze of a panic and utter disbelief.
‘Well, she’s got a nerve coming here, the cheeky cow! Who the hell invited her?’
