Page 12 of Six Steps to Happiness
“Now.”
She could sense Nick’s unease at the situation, but Ronnie couldn’t bring herself to even look at the man. Instead, she remained silent and motionless, leaving him no choice but to eventually make his exit. As he headed out into the hall, Ronnie held her breath, waiting until she heard the front door open and close again, before, at last, exhaling.
A mix of embarrassment, anger and sorrow flooded Ronnie’s body and she suddenly jumped to her feet, picked up her cup and threw it in Nick’s direction. Remnants of coffee splattered against the walls as she grabbed at anything and everything else to hand, hurling one thing after another. She cursed Nick and Gaye for doing this to her in the first place, the police officer for his harassment notice, and Bea and Willow for their six-step plan. Who did they all think they were?
Finally, Ronnie ran out of steam and the room fell silent as the throwing, clattering and shattering stopped. Surveying the mess, it seemed to reflect the life she’d been left with. A sob escaped from her mouth, followed by another and another until she burst into full-blown tears.
8
Making her way downstairs to the kitchen, Ronnie felt a spring in her step. She’d just had the best night’s sleep ever. There’d been no tossing and turning, no weird dreams, and no pointed conversations playing out in her head; only eight wonderful hours of pure comatose bliss.
She might not be ready to thank Nick for it, but Ronnie believed in credit where credit was due. Were it not for his humiliating visit she wouldn’t have cried her last tears, never mind come up with the master of plans; one that didn’t involve takeaways, social media posts, or anything remotely connected to her previous antics. Unlike her efforts in plan A, plan B was one hundred per cent genius.
Ronnie had no intention of being a bunny boiler or trying to make her neighbours think they were going mad. There’d be no hiding things only for them to suddenly reappear like she’d seen in the movies, and neither would she be planting a horse’s head in their bed. Rather, if Nick and Gaye wouldn’t move out, she’d make them think a ghost had moved in. Surely even they wouldn’t want to share a house with an uninvited lodger like that? Ronnie let out a satisfied sigh, knowing that if everything went accordingly, Nick and his fancy woman would soon be living next door to someone else. Whether they wanted to or not.
Ronnie hummed to herself as she poured a bowl of cereal, dancing to the tune as she got the milk from the fridge and grabbed a spoon from the cutlery drawer. She couldn’t wait to getOperation Poltergeistunderway, starting with part one of phase one, a parcel delivery. Mid note, she stopped, cocking her head at the sound of the front door opening and closing. Surely it was a bit early for visitors?
“I came as soon as I heard,” Bea said, bursting into the room. Her jewellery jangled as she plonked her bag down and raced over to give Ronnie a hug. “What’s wrong with that son of mine?” She pulled back. “You must be devastated.”
“Nope,” Ronnie said with a smile.
Bea narrowed her eyes. “I’m confused.” Letting go of her daughter-in-law altogether, she took in Ronnie’s sunny disposition. “This isn’t what I’d expected.”
Ronnie thought about the aftermath of Nick’s visit, feeling guilty. She’d been wrong to direct as much anger towards Willow and Bea as she had him, especially when her daughter and mother-in-law were only trying to help. However, she couldn’t deny their naivety. As far as Ronnie was concerned, their ridiculous six-step plan wasn’t the answer to her problems. Getting rid of Nick and Gaye was. “You wouldn’t be saying that if you’d seen me when he’d gone.” Ronnie recalled her swollen bloodshot eyes and the resulting mountain of tear sodden tissues. “I’ve never cried so hard in my life.”
“So, what’s changed?” Bea asked. “I can’t remember the last time I saw you this cheerful.”
“Did he tell you I agreed to the divorce?”
“Really?”
Ronnie scoffed. That was a no then.
“Why would you do that?”
“I messaged him to say I’d sign any papers he wanted, on condition they moved and left Holme Lea Avenue for good.”
“And?”
“And nothing. He said no.”
“But why? That’s the least they could do.”
Ronnie shrugged. “Apparently Gaye is quite happy where she is, thank you very much.”
Bea shook her head. “I’m sorry, Ronnie.”
“What are you apologising for?” The last thing Ronnie wanted was Bea shouldering any blame.
“Because I raised him.”
“Which has nothing to do with anything. Nick’s responsible for his own actions, Bea. He’s not a child anymore.”
“Isn’t he? Because he’s certainly acting like one.” Bea frowned. “I still don’t get why you’re so happy.”
Ronnie felt a quiver of excitement. She was bursting to tell Bea the details ofOperation Poltergeist. As plans went, this one was inspired and she knew that, were it aimed at anyone else, her mother-in-law would love it. But Nick was Bea’s son and, like it or not, Gaye his new partner, and Ronnie wasn’t green. She knew there would come a day when Bea accepted that.
“Mum!” Willow’s voice suddenly rang out.
