Page 21 of A Brambleberry Manor Christmas
She turns, frowning. ‘Look, I’m sorry about last night. Ihad to help Allie. Like I said.’
‘Yes. I know. But imagine how I felt when it got past ten. Ihad no idea where you were. Anything could have happened to you.’
‘But it didn’t.’
‘No. But that’s not the point. One little text would havesaved me so much worry. Do you understand?’
She looks sulkily at the floor. ‘I just didn’t have time.And I don’t know why you get in such a flap when I’m only half an hour late.’
Irritation rises up. ‘You were anhour and a halflate. And I get in a flap because I care about you, Tavie, and I want toprotect you. I’m the grown-up here and you’re the child. Sometimes I think youforget that. Look, I’m sorry if you don’t like it, but while you’re livingunder this roof, you’ll respect my rules or pay the consequences.’ I swallowhard. ‘You’re grounded until the weekend. Then I’ll reconsider.’
Her eyes flash angrily. ‘You can’t stop me going to Amy’sChristmas party next week. There’s no way I’m missing that.’
‘Well, we’ll have to see, won’t we?’ I’m trying to keep mytone bright and unemotional, but I’m not doing very well. ‘If you don’t put afoot wrong until then, I might let you go. But give me any more worry like youdid last night and you can definitely forget about going to that party!’
Her look is full of venom. ‘You say you care, but I don’tbelieve you. If you did, you’d think about myfeelings. It’s theanniversary of Dad’s death on the day of Amy’s party, and I want to be with myfriends…they’re the ones whoreallycare about me! Not you! You wouldn’teven let me go to Dad’s funeral. Everyone I talk to thinks that’s so heartless.So please stop the loving step-mother act because I really don’t believe it.’
She barges out and slams the door. And I hear her shout,‘And I’m going to Amy’s party whatever you say, so just try stopping me!’
I’m about to race after her when a stab of guilt halts me inmy tracks. Of course I knew the dreaded anniversary was approaching, but Isuppose I’ve been so focused on the business – hell-bent on keeping the wolffrom the door – that the actual day had somehow escaped me.
I sink wearily into a chair.
Harvey died exactly a year ago next week.
Tavie didn’t forget…
*****
Flo phones me at ten, all apologies.
‘I forgot to tell you yesterday but I’ve got a doctor’sappointment at midday today. I’m so sorry. But I’ll be over at the manor by one,if that’s okay?’
‘Yes, of course. What’s wrong?’
She sounds a bit croaky and I’m expecting her to say she thinksshe might have a cold. So I’m quite surprised when she says she has a mole sheneeds checked out.
‘Oh, are you really worried about it?’ I ask.
‘What?’
‘The mole?’
‘Oh. Um…not really. Well, a bit. I just thought…you know…bestget the doctor to look at it…’
‘Of course. Well, see you later.’
I end the call, feeling a little bemused. She sounded quiterough. Maybe she hasn’t slept well, thinking about the mole. But with a millionthings to do before this evening’s dinner, I haven’t got time to dwell on it.
I head over to the manor at twelve, and when I go into thekitchen I find Fergus sitting at the big wooden table, a mug beside him. Helays down the newspaper he’s reading when I enter.
‘Hi, there. Having a quiet moment?’ I smile at him.
‘Everyone else has gone to a Christmas fayre.’ He grinssheepishly. ‘Not really my scene.’
‘I know what you mean.’ I take off my coat and hang it up inthe cupboard with my handbag. ‘Sometimes you just need some time alone. Nothingworse than thinking you have to appear all festive and jolly just to pleaseeveryone else.’
‘Exactly.’
