Chapter 15 - part i

[girlyswot]

'Ann's here,' announced Nicola, meeting Patrick at the station.  'And Ginty, weeping all over the place.'

'Weeping?'

'Mmm.  I think her fellow's finally seen sense and thrown her out.  Only she won't stop crying long enough to actually tell anyone what's happened.  Ma's treating her just as if she was fourteen again and sent her upstairs to cry herself out on her own.'

'Oh dear.'

'Yes.  Anyway, I spoke to Rowan.  She was really pleased about it and she's written to tell Daddy.  No-one else knows yet.  About Thomas, I mean.  Or us.'

'Right.'

'So, if you like, we could just wait until Peter brings the boys back and then head home.'

'Would you mind?'

She shook her head.  'I've had enough of family drama.  Let's just be us again.'

'Mmm.'  He bent and kissed her.  'Good idea.  Come on, I'd better say hello to your Ma.'

As they set off up the hill, Nicola remembered the other thing she'd meant to say to Patrick.

'Oh, by the way, I was sick this morning.'

'Truly?'  His eyes lit up.

'Yes, but don't tell anyone yet.  I expect Ma knows but no-one else needs to for a bit.'

'Fine.  It is a good job we're moving out of the cottage soon.'

Her lips twitched.  'I suppose so.'

Patrick took hold of his wife's hand when they got out of the car and together they went to find the scattered remnants of their family.

 

They were still lingering over the lunch table when a car drew up outside.  But instead of Peter and the boys, it was Lawrie who came in, looking slightly surprised to find so many of her family at home.

'Oh.  Well, it doesn't matter.  You'll all know soon enough.  Everyone will.'

'Darling what are you talking about?'  Mrs Marlow didn't sound unduly alarmed.

'Well.  You know I told you I was going to be in that thing with Michael More.'  They nodded.  'We-ell.  His wife's left him.  It's going to be in the papers tomorrow.'

There was a silence.  Then Nicola spoke, reluctantly, but needing to be certain.

'She left him because of you?'

Lawrie nodded defiantly.

'Oh Lawrie.'

'We're going to live together.'  Sensing the disapproval around the table she added.  'Well, I just thought you'd want to know first, that's all.'  She looked around for a chair.  Patrick got up silently and offered her his, perching himself on the sideboard.

Even Ginty seemed to have forgotten that she was inconsolable in the wake of Lawrie's shattering announcement. 

Ann looked as though she could hardly believe what she had heard.  'But Lawrie, how could you?  Doesn't he have children?'

Lawrie looked mildly ashamed.  'Two.  Girls.  Eight and six.'

'Think how they must be feeling.  Poor things.' 

Much as she hated it, even Nicola had to agree.  'She's right, Lal.  How on earth could you do something like this?  Didn't you even stop to think about anyone else?'  She laughed.  'Stupid question.  Since when did you ever stop to think about anyone else?  So long as little Lawrie's happy that's all that counts.  Well it isn't and it's about time you grew up and realised it.'  Red in the face and fairly shouting by the end, she pushed her chair back and slammed out of the room.  Lawrie looked nervously at her mother, desperately hoping for some sympathy but knowing she was unlikely to get it.

 

Mrs Marlow shook her head.  'I think… That you can come in here and announce… as if it hardly matters…  I'm sorry, I can't…'  Mrs Marlow followed her daughter out of the room, looking like she might be about to cry.

'Well, you have set the cat among the pigeons,' commented Ginty gleefully.  'You idiot.  What were you expecting?  Congratulations?'

Lawrie shook her head mutely, playing with Patrick's fork.

Ann tried again.  'Why did you do it Lawrie?  Didn't you know he was married?'

'No.  He told me right from the start.  I didn't mean…  I didn't think…'

'That,' said Rowan acidly, 'is patently obvious.'

 

Patrick deposited the children in the nursery for their afternoon naps and went to find his wife.  She was in the conservatory, aimlessly tearing the rubber plant into shreds.  He went and took her hand.  Nicola found it oddly calming.

'She makes me so cross,' she muttered.

'I know.'

'So selfish.  And she always gets away with it.  People let her.  I do.  And she just gets worse.'

'Yes.  I think she's excelled herself this time.'

'It's so unfair.  That poor woman and those two girls.  How could she, Patrick?'

'I don't know, love.  Come here.'  He took her in his arms and cradled her to his chest.  He smelt warm and familiar and Nicola was comforted.

 

Their moment of peace was quickly shattered by a cry from outside, 'Hi!  Nick!'

'Oh.  Peter.'  She turned away to compose herself.

'Mummy, Mummy, look what we caught!'

'D'you know we haven't had a bath all week, Daddy?'

'You certainly smell as if you haven't,' agreed Patrick, holding each boy at arms length and sniffing.  'Hullo Peter.'

'Hullo.  Everything alright?'

'Not exactly.'  They watched as Nicola embraced her boys, automatically straightening hair and rubbing off smuts.  'You have a good week?'

'Fabulous.  In fact, I might almost do it again next year.'  Patrick smiled briefly.

'I'm going to take these two upstairs and give them a good scrub,’ announced Nicola.  ‘I don't suppose they've any clean clothes left?'  Peter shook his head.  'No.  Well.  Pat, could you get the bag out of the car in a minute and bring it upstairs.'

'Sure.'

'So what gives?' asked Peter when the children had left.

'Lawrie.'  He related the events of lunch.

'Ma's not going to take too kindly to that one.'

'No.'

'In fact, I can't see anyone…  Even Ann won't be able to find an excuse.'

'No.  Though she did try.  The only person who looked mildly pleased was Gin.  Mainly, I gather, because it takes some heat off her.'

'What's she been up to?'

'No-one knows.  Shrouded in a veil of tears.'

'Women!'

'Absolutely.'

They contemplated the female sex in silence for a few minutes.

'Beer?'

'Thanks.  I'll just go and get that suitcase for Nick.'

When they were settled again, Patrick asked, 'What gives with you and Fob?'

Peter grinned.  'Nothing gives.'

'Ah.'

Peter relented.  'Yet.'

Patrick gave him a sidelong glance.

'Well.  She's still only twenty-one.'

'Finished university this summer,' Patrick observed.

'Mmm.  Hard thing being a navy wife.'

'Yes, I suppose it is.'

'She's not going anywhere and I'm pretty happy without any strings.'

'Girl in every port?'

'Not quite.'  Peter laughed.  'But I don't do too badly.'  He sobered for an instant.  'Not married girls though.  I play by the rules.'

 

Half an hour later, Nicola reappeared with all the children.

Carefully, she addressed Patrick.  'Can we go now?  I've packed all our things.  I…I'd rather not stay for tea.'

He got up and took the car keys from the table.

'Of course.  Come on you lot.'

Peter came out to wave them off.

'Thanks Uncle Peter.  It was a smashing week,' said Nick.

'Yeah,' added Jon.  'Specially when we gutted the fish.'

'Ghoulish child.  Go on then and maybe your ma'll let us do it again one day.'

'Truly?!' gasped Jon.  'That'd be magic.  Please, Mum, can we?'

'We'll see.  Thanks Peter.'

'My pleasure.'

Just as everyone was bundled into the car with their bags, a figure appeared at the kitchen door.  Hesitantly she came forward.  Patrick signalled her presence to Nicola who was busy with seatbelts.  She turned round and watched, waiting, arms folded with a forbidding look on her face.

'Look, Nick.'  She swallowed.  'Can I have a word?  Before you go?'

Biting her lip, wishing she could say no and just disappear, Nicola nodded.

Lawrie looked round, realising there were other people there but too uncertain to suggest they went somewhere else.  Peter sketched a farewell and headed back into the house.

'I'll get in the car,' offered Patrick.

'Well?' snapped Nicola.

'Look.  I know you're right.  I didn't think and it is awful but…  I've been so unhappy and lonely and he just made me laugh.  Look I know you won't forgive me but I can't bear it if you… if we… aren't friends any more.  I need you, Nick.'  And indeed she looked lost and alone and utterly despairing.  Nicola wondered how much she was acting.

'Are you really going to live with him?'

'I don't know.  I was.  But then I told you all and suddenly I saw… I don't know what to do.'

'Yes you do.  You know exactly what you ought to do, it's just not what you want to do.  Your choice.  But whatever you choose,' Nicola began to get angry again, 'don't start whining It's not fair.  You've only got yourself to blame, d'you understand, Lawrie?'

She saw tears forming on her twin's cheeks.  'Oh for goodness sake, stop crying.

Lawrie's face crumpled.  ' 'M sorry,' she mumbled.

'I've got to go, Lal.  Look, ring me, okay?'

'Okay.'  Lawrie nodded mournfully.

'Bye, then.'

'Bye.'