Page 52 of The Last Saturday In July
God, she was as bad as Simon. ‘Kate, this is me you’re talking to. I saw you, you’re totally into each other. You’re going to dinner with him.’ When Kate said nothing, she added quickly, ‘I overheard him asking you last night.’
‘It sounds like you already know everything.’
‘Come on, Kate, don’t be like that.’
‘I don’t want to talk about it.’ Kate huffed out a breath. ‘Wait a second.’ There was a shuffling on the line and, when Kate came back on a few moments later, her voice sounded different. ‘Look, I’ve just slipped into the bathroom to talk. When I got home last night, Luke was still awake.’
‘Was everything all right?’
‘Not really. He had to do his family tree for homework last night.’
Jess spoke gently. ‘Does he know anything about his dad?’
‘He does now.’ Kate was terse. ‘I’m not sure he believed me when I said I didn’t know his last name. Try telling a ten-year-old boy you only knew his dad for one night, before he went back to Sweden.’
‘Shit, I’m sorry, Kate. How was he?’
‘Shocked, I think. It was the first time he’d really pushed me to answer questions.’ Her voice shook. ‘I never wanted to hurt him, Jess. So, I gave him my word that if he wants to find him when he’s older, I’ll help.’
‘Hey, it sounds like you handled it well.’
‘I don’t know.’ Kate sounded a bit defeated. ‘He seemed happy enough with that, but I know Luke. He’s really starting to think about what he’s missing.’
Jess tried to think of something comforting to say. ‘He’s got good people in his life, Kate, including good male role models.’
‘Yeah.’ Kate sighed. ‘Look, I’d better go, I’ll see you soon.’
After Kate hung up, Jess stared out at the canal, remembering the moment in college that Kate’s life had changed forever. Jess hadn’t been able to go out the night Kate and Jacob had met, so apart from what Kate had told her, she knew nothing about Luke’s dad. Once Kate had got over the shock of finding herself pregnant, she’d decided two things: she was going to have the baby and she wasn’t going to let Jacob know. ‘He’s an Erasmus student, and it was just a one-night stand – what can he do?’ she’d said. Since then, Kate had been careful not to let any man into her life, in case it didn’t work out and Luke got hurt. Jess knew that was why she valued Simon’s friendship so much.
When her phone rang moments later, Jess thought Kate had changed her mind about coffee. But it was Moira.
‘Hi, Nana, how are you?’
‘Well, I have a bit of a problem, dear, and I’ve been trying to reach your dad.’
Jess frowned. ‘I think it’s his hill walking day with his club. Can I help?’
‘I tripped on loose pavement, and it appears I’ve fractured my foot. I’m at Vincent’s hospital. I came in style by ambulance but I’ve no way of getting home.’ There was a wobble in Moira’s voice.
‘Stay right where you are, I’m coming to collect you.’ Jess put her on speaker so she could shut down her computer and pack her bag.
‘I feel so bad taking you away from work,’ Moira was saying. ‘I’d ring your mam, but I wasn’t sure if she was working nights this week.’
‘As far as I know, she is.’ Briefly, Jess wondered if she’d tried to contact her dad’s brother, but she decided not to ask. ‘It’s no problem at all, Nana, I’ll see you shortly.’ She hung up, took one last look around the office and left.
Jess sat beside Moira in Accident and Emergency, as they waited for her doctor to discharge her.
‘I’ve no idea why I’ve to wait around like this,’ Moira grumbled. ‘I’ve already seen the doctor. It’s only a hairline fracture and I’m well able to walk in this boot.’ She stuck out the foot in question for a brief inspection.
Jess chose her words carefully. ‘Who else did you see?’
Moira gave her a stern look. ‘If you’re asking if I saw a geriatrician, the answer’s yes. She asked me a lot of stupid questions. Nothing happened, except that I tripped on loose pavement. I wasn’t dizzy, I didn’t have an episode, whatever that’s supposed to be.’ Moira’s voice grew louder, and a few people turned around. ‘I should sue the bloody Council.’
A woman sitting opposite nodded in agreement. ‘The paths are a disgrace in this country.’
‘Mrs Bradley?’ a voice said.
Moira looked up and nudged Jess. ‘Here’s himself.’
