Page 98 of The Shape of Your Heart
I hesitate. It makes no sense that instead of going to her parents, she’s come here. ‘Can’t your parents help you out?’
Her jaw is clenched as she shakes her head. ‘I can’t ask them. They’re so angry with me.’
‘Angry?’ I frown. ‘Isn’t this what family’s about? Helping each other out when times are tough?’
‘My parents aren’t like that,’ she mutters through her tears.
I sigh heavily. ‘One week.’ I watched her wipe her face. ‘But there will be several conditions.’
‘Anything.’ She looks at me bleakly.
‘Firstly, you tidy up after yourself. Secondly, while you’re here, there’s a list of jobs I need help with. And thirdly…’ I give her a stern look. ‘Absolutely no funny stuff.’
* * *
Inside, I make her a cup of tea and sit her down at the table. ‘I know you don’t want to, but if things are this bad, you really should talk to your parents.’
‘After what they said, I can’t.’ She shakes her head. ‘Anyway, they wouldn’t want to see me. I’ve made such a mess of things.’ Tears spill down her cheeks.
As I look at her, something doesn’t add up. ‘Is there something you haven’t told me?’
She’s silent for a moment. ‘Last time I was in trouble, they bailed me out – on the understanding that from there on, I had to manage my finances more carefully. But the trouble is, it’s been so difficult. Money goes nowhere, does it?’
I take in the designer clothes she’s wearing, her perfectly manicured nails. ‘What you’re saying is you didn’t stick to your part of the deal.’ I gaze at her in disbelief. ‘New clothes, expensive manicures, they’re not essentials, Em. Not when you have a mortgage to pay.’
Her cheeks flush pink. ‘I have to look the part for work.’
‘You just told me you’ve lost your job.’ I shake my head. ‘As for your parents, sometimes the simplest solution is a good old-fashioned apology. It’s you who’s fucked up. You’ve had it far too easy. It’s time you woke up to some harsh realities.’
‘Say it like it is, won’t you?’ she says bitterly.
‘There is no point in anything else,’ I say more gently. ‘Sleep on it. Think about going over there – tomorrow.’
* * *
The following morning, it’s a very sober Emily who makes me a cup of coffee and tidies the kitchen.
‘I’ve been thinking about what you said.’ She looks preoccupied. ‘And you’re right. I have fucked up. I suppose I’ve been so used to unlimited money coming in, I’ve found it really difficult…’
‘You know, in a way your parents are doing you a favour,’ I say gently. ‘It might feel harsh, but having to stand on your own two feet can only be a good thing.’
‘Yeah.’ She rolls her eyes. ‘I just wish they could have done it a long time ago.’
‘Maybe they hoped you’d use the money sensibly,’ I point out. ‘It was entirely down to you what you did with it.’
She’s silent for a moment. ‘So what do I do now?’
‘Apologise. Tell them what you’ve told me and that you’re not asking for another handout. Ask them if there’s any way they can give you a loan. Then make sure you pay them back.’
Gripping her coffee mug, she grimaces. ‘I know what my father’s going to say.’
‘You don’t, actually. And in any case, you’re going to have to take it on the chin. If you drop the stroppy act and you’re straight with him, he might surprise you.’
I leave her with a set of gardening tools and point her in the direction of a bit of garden that needs digging. It won’t do her any harm. A bit of time surrounded by the elements might even help her sort her head out.
It’s still early as I drive away, reaching the campsite before anyone else. Stopping on the newly gravelled car park, I get out. As I stand there for a moment, a feeling of pride comes over me. Each day it seems the countryside is growing greener and as I look around, it’s gratifying to see how little impact the work I’m doing is having on it.
I walk through the line of fruit trees. The palatial chicken run is finished to my right, the beginnings of a large veg patch underway to my left, while further on, the ground is almost ready for the setting-up of the tepee and half a dozen tents.
