Chapter 15 - part ii

[girlyswot]

 

Thinking it over in her bath that evening, Lawrie decided that she wouldn't ring.  Much better go and see her face to face.  At least that way Nicola couldn't hang up on her.  She left early, straight after breakfast and arrived at the cottage just as the Merricks were returning from Mass.

'Hullo.'  Lawrie advanced nervously, eyeing her sister.

'Hullo.'

'Are you staying for lunch?' enquired Jon, smiling hopefully up at his most entertaining aunt.

'I don't know, Jon.'  She looked questioningly at Nicola.

'If you like,' replied Nick brusquely.  'You can play with the children while I get things done.'

Lawrie nodded and suggested they head into the garden.

Patrick followed his wife into the kitchen.  'Alright?'

Nicola heaved a sigh.  'Not really.  But maybe if she's here it's a sign she's starting to see sense.  Did you see the paper?'

Patrick nodded.  'Just like she said, Michael More's leaving his wife.  No mention of Lawrie so far's I could make out.'

'Well, that's something, I suppose.  Could you go and rescue the boy and take him upstairs for his nap while I make a start on feeding us all?'

 

By two thirty, vast quantities of roast potatoes, roast chicken, bread sauce, apple pie and custard had been consumed.  Lawrie, Nick and Jon had washed up while Patrick and Nicola saw to the two younger children.

'Come on then, you two.'  Patrick gathered his elder sons.  'We're going for a walk.'

'Can Spade come, Dad?'

'Certainly.  And if he's very good, he might get an ice-cream.'  Squeals of excitement disappeared as the boys grabbed boots and sticks and other essential gear.

'See you later.'  Patrick waved through the window.

 

Nicola turned to face Lawrie.

'Coffee?'

'Please.  Look, Nick.  It's not as simple as you think.  I can't just not see him again.'

'Why not?'

'Because…  He's arranged for us both to be in the same play for the next six weeks.  And there's a screen test for a film I know he pulled strings for me to get.  It could be my big break, Nick, truly it could.  I can't risk it.'

Nicola put the two mugs of coffee on the table and fetched milk and sugar.

'Thanks.  You know how hard it's been to get decent parts.  And it's not just that he won't help me.  He'll probably spread the word so that no-one will even give me a chance.  It happens all the time.  There was a girl I was at RADA with.  She was amazing.  She played Juliet in the final-year production.  Her first job she started sleeping with the lead.  A year later she split up with him and she's barely worked since.  She's doing adverts.  I couldn’t bear it.'

'So you're saying you have to go on sleeping with this man for ever, just in case you never get another part?'

'We-ll.  Not forever.  But certainly leave on good terms.  Not like this.'

'You can't, Lal.  His family is more important than your career.  And so is your reputation.  And so are you.  What sort of happiness could you have with someone you're only sleeping with for the sake of your job?'

'It's not like that.  It wasn't like that.'

'No.  But it is now.  Have you been talking to Tim?'

'No.  Why?'

'Just wondered.  Oh don't look so desperate, Lal.  Things will work out, I promise.  When are you supposed to be in Chichester?'

'A week Thursday.'

'Phone him today.  Tell him.  Then see what happens.'  She put the phone on the kitchen table.  'I'd better go and see to the boy.  Do it, Lal.'

 

Patrick returned to find Lawrie still sitting at the table, bearing the unmistakeable marks of tears.  He sent the boys out and cautiously asked if everything was alright and was there anything he could do.

Numbly, Lawrie shook her head.

'Cup of tea?' he suggested.

Taking silence as assent he put the kettle on to boil.

'Nicola upstairs?'

Lawrie nodded.

He went to call to her.  'Cup of tea, Nick?'

'Yes, please.  I'll be down in a moment.'

Lawrie watched as he warmed the pot, added the tea and filled it with boiling water.  He found mugs, milk, spoons and sugar and assembled them on a tray.  Reaching to the top shelf for a large tin, he extracted a plateful of home made biscuits.

'We hide them up there in a vain attempt to stop the children getting them.  Still, Katie and the boy can't reach and Jon will only do it if Nick dares him so it's reasonably safe.  How d'you like your tea?'

'Milk, one sugar.  Strong, please.'

'Hello Patrick.'  Nicola came down with one child on her hip and another holding her hand.  'Go and play with the boys, darlings.'  She took her tea gratefully and sat down.

'So?'  She looked sternly at Lawrie.

'So I did it.'

'And?  How did he take it?'

'I don't think he believed me.  Then he thought it was because of the papers.  Then he said he'd come and see me.  Then when I wouldn't tell him where I was he started shouting.  So I hung up.'

'I'm sorry.'

'Yes.  Anyway, I expect you were right.  You always are.'  She fairly spat her last comment but Nicola continued placidly eating her flapjack.

A few minutes later, Lawrie spoke again.  'Could I possibly stay here tonight?'

'Here?'  Nicola sounded surprised.

'It's just I don't think I can face all the others just yet.'

'There isn't much room.  You'd have to be on the sofa.'

'That's okay.  You'll lend me some pyjamas, won't you?'

'Okay.  D'you want me to phone Ma?'

'No, I'll do it.  Thanks.'  Suddenly Lawrie grinned.  An impish, childish grin which reminded Patrick forcibly of his eldest son.  'I've just thought.  The flat we'd rented.  He paid the deposit and the first month.  But it's all in my name so his wife wouldn't find out.  And I've got the keys.'