Chapter 30
NANCY
‘So Nancy, I hear that you’re a singer with a rock band? That’s an unusual hobby. Have you been doing it for long?’
Alan’s question startled her. He’d been talking to Val and Dennis, and her mind had drifted away.
Jackie had told her she was going to view some flats today, a new development that would be ready in a few months, and she suddenly realised how much she would miss her.
Miss all of them when it was time for them to go.
‘Sorry?’ Her eyes rested on his face as the cogs in her mind whirred.
She would never have described herself as a singer in a rock band, although she guessed that’s what she now was.
‘Er, well, I’ve only been doing it fairly recently. The band leader is lodging with me at the moment. One of three guests,’ she added quickly not wanting Alan to think that there was anything going on between her and Slate. Not that it mattered what he thought.
‘I find it admirable when people take up a new hobby later in life. It’s so easy to get into a rut, don’t you think?’
‘I guess so.’ She and Clifford had got into a rut, hadn’t they? Is that why he’d left?
‘What hobbies do you have, Alan?’ Val asked and Nancy reproached herself for sitting there deep in thought, when Val and Dennis had invited her for dinner.
‘I like to play golf. And go to the theatre. Do you enjoy going to the theatre, Nancy?’ His glassy grey eyes were staring intently at her and she realised with a jolt that he was interested in her. Heaven forbid that he asked her out!
‘No, not really,’ she said hastily.
Val rescued her by asking her to come into the kitchen and help her serve dessert. Nancy got up immediately, glad to escape.
‘What’s the matter? You’re away with the fairies today,’ Val asked.
‘I hope Alan isn’t making you feel awkward.
It’s obvious he’s taken a fancy to you. I thought he and Dennis would be yattering away about golf.
’ She took the lemon meringue pie out of the fridge.
‘I think it’s the rock singer image that appeals to him.
It makes you sound a bit wild!’ She grinned.
‘Oh, he’s okay, but there’s no attraction there on my side. I don’t want another man in my life.’
Val opened the cutlery drawer and took out four cake forks. ‘Not even Slate?’ She shot Nancy a sly look.
‘He’s just a lodger,’ Nancy said but her reply sounded a bit too hasty even to her ears. ‘I doubt if he will be with me much longer. Jackie either. She’s gone to take a look at some flats in a new development down by the river today.’
‘I expect you’ll miss them,’ Val said sympathetically as Nancy handed her four small plates. ‘Is that what’s troubling you? You don’t seem your normal self today.’
‘It’s not that. I was thinking about Clifford and wondering if he would come back. He might be having second thoughts about everything now he’s had chance to “live his dream” for a bit.’
Val raised an eyebrow. ‘And do you want him to come back?’
Nancy hesitated. Did she?
‘I don’t know. I miss him and we were married a long time but I’m really enjoying the life I have now, although it seems like a part I’m acting. Not my real life, if you know what I mean.’
Val nodded. ‘I do. I hope you won’t take him back if he ever shows up again. He’s treated you diabolically.’
‘I agree. The thing is Phyllis read my tea leaves this morning and she saw a hammer – she said it meant obstacles or adversity, so I wondered if it meant Clifford returning.’
‘Well, I think tea-leaf reading and hocus-pocus like that is all nonsense. I’d stay well clear of it, if I was you. Or at least, take it all with a pinch of salt.’
Val was right, of course. She wasn’t going to think about it again.
* * *
When she got home, Jackie, Slate and Phyllis were all sitting in the kitchen, studying a brochure. ‘Hi, how was lunch?’ Jackie asked, looking up as Nancy came in.
‘Not bad. I think Alan was hoping I might be open to meeting him again, but I let him down lightly.’ She walked over to the table. ‘How did the flat viewing go?’ As she walked nearer she could see that the brochure was of a block of apartments. ‘Is that the details?’
‘Yes, Slate came with me too. We were just telling Phyllis about it. We’re trying to persuade her to move with us. It would be fab if we were all together.’
All except her, Nancy thought sadly. She would miss them so much. ‘When are you thinking of moving?’ she asked, pulling out a chair and sitting down beside them.
‘Some of the flats will be available in a couple of months and the second stage in the spring. They’re very modern and completely fitted out.’ Jackie turned the booklet around so that Nancy could see it.
Nancy leaned over, peering closer. It looked a classy development. ‘They look good. Are they expensive?’ she asked.
‘They’re not bad. And there’s a few options. Buying outright, shared ownership, renting. The developer apparently believes in affordable housing solutions. I’m going to talk to Jed about it, he’s been trying to convince me to buy a flat for a while,’ Slate replied.
Nancy’s forehead furrowed as she flicked through the brochure.
The flats were completely fitted out with white goods, built-in wardrobes, modern kitchens, double glazing and central heating.
She could see why Slate and Jackie were interested in them.
And surely they would be more suitable than a caravan for Phyllis too.
The location was ideal, just a short walk from the town.
She was sure that they would be snapped up.
‘I’m going for the shared ownership option.
I’ve got enough for the deposit,’ Jackie said.
‘The show flat was fabulous. And it will be so easy to get to work from there.’ She looked questioningly at Nancy.
‘The thing is, I’d like one on the ground floor and that block won’t be ready until spring.
That’s six months away. How do you feel about me staying here until then? ’
‘I don’t mind at all. You’re welcome to, all of you. I have to sell the house in March anyway, so that will be fine,’ she assured her. ‘Are you all interested in the flats?’
Phyllis shook her head. ‘They look nice but they’re not for me. I want my caravan but, if I can stay until spring, that will give me time to save more money towards it.’
‘Of course you can.’ Nancy looked questioningly at Slate.
‘I’ve put my name down as interested but I’m still thinking about it. It’ll be a big step for me to have my own place. So, yes, I’d love to stay until after spring too. That will give me time to sort myself out.’
‘That’s settled then. Now shall we open a bottle of wine to celebrate?’ Nancy suggested.
* * *
She talked to Pam about it the next day at work. ‘You’re going to miss them all, aren’t you? You all get on so well,’ Pam said. ‘Mum said she feels really at home there.’
‘I am. They’ll be with me for a few months yet. And then I’ll have to sell up whether I like it or not.’
‘Well, at least you can make your own decision, live your life your own way. I know that Clifford leaving was devastating for you, but I also think it’s been the making of you. The last couple of months you’ve looked more alive than I’ve ever seen you before.’
She’d felt more alive too. Clifford walking out had forced her to rethink her life and what she wanted out of it.
She’d been stifled by him, she realised, and had stopped doing what she wanted, conformed to what he wanted instead.
The carefree, fun Nancy who had loved animals, wanted a family, enjoyed travelling and mixing with friends had disappeared and been replaced by the version of Nancy that Clifford wanted her to be.
Well, now he had gone she was free to be herself.
Like Pam said, she could live her life her way.
And that’s exactly what she was going to do.