Page 18 of Six Steps to Happiness
Mr Wright leaned in and pulled the stepladder out of the boot in one swift movement. “No need,” he said, smiling. “Now, where do you want them?”
Ronnie was impressed, his agility enough to ease her guilt at not helping. “In the hallway, please.” She made her way to the front door and with Mr Wright directly behind, unlocked it to let them in. “Can I get you a cup of tea or coffee?” she asked, as he placed the ladders down, leaning them side on against the hall skirting board. “To say thank you.”
Mr Wright rubbed his hands together. “That would be lovely.”
Ronnie led the way into the kitchen, dumping her handbag down and heading straight for the kettle. “Please,” she said, indicating her guest take a seat while she waited for it to boil. “So, how is Mrs Wright?”
He pulled a chair out from under the table and sat down. “She’s fine. Out with her sister. It’s Thursday, you see. The day they meet for lunch, then go to the cinema. Mrs Wright does like her routine.”
It came as no surprise to hear his wife liked order. Whenever Ronnie spoke to Mrs Wright, the woman’s response was always polite, yet to the point. And as was the case with Mr Wright in his perfectly ironed shirt and tie, she was always impeccably dressed, never having as much as a hair out of place. Even the way she carried herself appeared efficient. Ronnie smiled. Like her and Nick, the two of them had been childhood sweethearts, except in their case, their marriage was still going strong.
“Sounds lovely,” Ronnie replied. She thought for a moment. “I’ve often wondered what it would be like to have siblings. Only child, you see.” Her sunglasses suddenly felt heavy, so she took them off and gently rubbed the bridge of her nose.
“Jesus, Mary and Joseph!”
Ronnie took in her neighbour’s horrified expression, realising she should have warned him.
“What happened to you?”
“Don’t worry, it’s not as bad as it looks,” she said, trying to lessen the shock. “I had a bit of a fall, that’s all.”
“A fall? You look like someone’s been at you with a baseball bat.”
Ronnie would’ve laughed if it didn’t hurt her ribs so much. She watched Mr Wright get up from his seat and move towards her.
“Come on, you sit down. I can make the tea.”
As he put his hands on her shoulders and guided her to a chair, Ronnie could see why his marriage had held firm. Mrs Wright was one lucky lady. “Thank you,” Ronnie said, doing as she was told.
“You’ve certainly had it tough recently,” Mr Wright said, reaching for the tea caddy. “What with the nonsense next door. And now this.” He turned and gestured to Ronnie’s face.
Ronnie considered everything that had happened. Nick’s adultery, his request for a divorce, her fall from grace at the gym… Wondering what other delights life had in store, she couldn’t help but ask if things could get any worse. “That’s one way of putting it,” she replied.
“He’s a foolish man that husband of yours. Leaving a woman like you for a woman like her.” He handed Ronnie her cup, before taking the seat opposite.
“That’s very kind of you to say, Mr Wright.”
“Please, call me Harry.”
“Okay.” Ronnie took a sip of her tea. “That’s very kind of you to say,Harry.”
“Mum!” a voice interrupted.
“Ronnie!” another called out.
12
Willow and Bea charged into the room.
The two women stopped in the doorway, Willow’s face crumpling at the sight of her battered and bruised mother. She raced over to Ronnie, her arms outstretched, ready for an all-encompassing embrace. “You look worse than I thought,” she said.
Ronnie winced in response. Under the circumstances, she’d have preferred a much gentler squeeze.
At last, Willow pulled back, taking in Ronnie’s wounds in all their purple and blue glory. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone look so grotesque.”
Ronnie attempted a laugh. “As if I didn’t feel bad enough.”
“I should go,” Harry said, rising to his feet.
