Page 45 of Clara's Secret Garden
‘Oh?’
‘She seemed to think you had a sister.’
Gran swings round to look at me, a stunned look on her face.
I nod, laughing. ‘I know. Isn’t it weird? I’ve no idea whereshe got that idea from. Someone at a Women’s Institute meeting, she said.’
Gran is staring straight ahead.
‘You okay, Gran?’
She doesn’t answer for a moment.
‘Gran?’ She’s looking very pale. ‘Oh, dear, I shouldn’t havepersuaded you to come out tonight. It’s been too much for you.’
‘What? No, of course it hasn’t.’ She turns. ‘I’ve had alovely evening. I’m just... a bit tired, that’s all.’ ‘Right.Well, straight to bed for you, then.’
We exchange a smile and spend the rest of the journeytalking about how Sylvia is loving her new role of great-granny, since hergrand-daughter Primrose had her first baby in November.
‘I’m rather envious of Sylvia,’ Gran remarks, unbuckling herbelt with a mischievous smile. ‘When are you going to makemeagreat-granny?’
I laugh. ‘I wouldn’t hold your breath. Now, get in thehouse. You’re out far too late.’
‘Yes, nurse.’
I watch her walk up the path, put the key in the cottagedoor, then turn and wave. But I wait until she’s switched on all the lights andshooed me away through the living-room window before I start up the engine anddrive off.
On the way home, I think about the job at the café.
Gran’s right. Now that Bertie isn’t a baby anymore, I canstart working again... earning money instead of eating intothe inheritance Dad left me. He’d have wanted me to do something meaningfulwith it, but circumstances have meant I haven’t really been able to think aboutme.
It’s time I got ‘out there’. And the girls at the café areso lovely...
CHAPTERTWENTY
I haven’t had a proper chat with Rory since that dayin Gran’s kitchen when Lois dropped her bombshell. And I’m feeling awkwardabout it.
We pass the time of day, of course, whenever we run intoeach other, but I keep our exchanges bright and breezy – and brief. I’m alwaysrushing off somewhere and can’t stop to chat. But sometimes I catch him lookingat me with a puzzled, rather sad expression, as if he’s wondering why we don’ttalk like we used to.
The other day, he ran after me as I left the house to pickBertie up from school, and offered to go over and cut Gran’s lawns. And when Isaid that actually Gran had bought a new mower that was much easier to handleand that I’d be doing the garden for her in future, he looked quitecrestfallen. But I have to think of myself and my emotions. I can’t cope justnow, being Rory’s friend.
There’s something coming up, though, that I won’t be able toavoid.
For some reason, Lois has decided we should start gatheringaround the table for a family lunch on Sundays – including Rory, of course.It’s not something we’ve ever done and I feel nauseous every time I think aboutit. (And that’s before I’ve tasted Lois’s attempt at roast beef and all thetrimmings.)
I suspect I know why she’s doing this, and I can sympathisewith her, but that doesn’t mean I’m comfortable with the idea...
When Ronnie accused her of being fake and only beinginterested in his money, he said he wanted someone who was into family in a bigway and would help him cook at big family occasions, which Lois flatly refusedto do. I think that tolled the death knell for their relationship. And Isuspect Lois wants to make sure that this time, she gets it right. Hence thenightmare prospect of a ‘happy family’ gathering around the table at oneo’clock on a Sunday.
How she’s going to get Irene to the table on time, I’ve noidea. She never surfaces until well after midday. So it will probably be justRory, Bertie and me.
It’s going to be an eventful few days.
When I phoned Ellie about the vacancy at the café, sheseemed pleased when I said I’d like to apply for it. And the upshot is, I havemy first four-hour shift on Friday morning, straight after I’ve dropped Bertieat school. I’m a bit nervous but I’m looking forward to it. On Saturday, I’mtaking Gran shopping. She lost quite a bit of weight when she was in hospitaland all her clothes are hanging off her, so she needs some new outfits. And thenon Sunday... The Dreaded Lunch.
*****
The aroma of roast beef drifting upstairs is delicious,and as I get ready to go downstairs for Lois’s ‘pre-lunch drinks’, I’m amazedto bump into Irene coming out of the bathroom fully-dressed.
