Chapter 38
Jack entered the Augusta House car park after being buzzed through.
It was a warm, balmy evening, so he’d driven with the car top down.
From the balcony of Tara’s apartment, he saw Calum watching and waved up at him.
Calum gave a cheery wave back, clearly pleased to see him.
Jack felt a touch reassured, hoping tonight’s dinner would go well.
He’d brought a bottle of coke as well as wine with him, eager to include everyone.
Calum answered the door with a wide smile.
‘Hi, Jack, come in. Mum’s stressing in the kitchen,’ he joked as Jack followed him inside.
‘I’m not stressed!’ called Tara, vigorously stirring a pot, red in the cheeks.
Jack laughed, thinking it was the first time he’d ever seen her flustered.
‘She hates cooking, don’t you, Mum?’ teased Calum.
‘Oi, you, less of the cheek.’ She grinned, putting the pot in the oven. After closing the door and checking the oven temperature, she breathed a sigh of relief. ‘Time for a drink,’ she said.
Jack laughed again. It amused him how she looked more comfortable in A&E than in a kitchen.
‘Here.’ He passed her the wine. Then he turned and offered Calum the bottle of coke. ‘Fancy some of this?’
‘Yeah, thanks, Jack,’ replied Calum, taking it off him. Tara went to the fridge where the prosecco was chilling.
‘Let’s start with this,’ she said popping the cork.
‘Hmm, something smells good,’ commented Jack, making Calum giggle.
‘Yeah, right,’ he muttered with mirth.
‘Hey, you, I’ve made my signature dish tonight I’ll have you know,’ Tara told him with faux indignation.
Jack smirked at the banter between mother and son, reminding him of his own mum.
‘So, cooking’s not really your forte then?’ he asked with a grin.
Calum snorted. ‘You could say that.’
Tara’s eyebrows raised. ‘I’m not that bad, but thanks, Calum.’
‘What are we having tonight?’ Jack asked, leaning against the kitchen worktop, winking at Calum.
‘Chicken curry,’ she announced proudly.
‘With half chips, half rice,’ added Calum.
‘Ah, my favourite,’ lied Jack to an unconvinced Tara and Calum.
Truth be told, Tara was a little apprehensive about tonight, especially knowing how good a cook Jack was.
And yes, whilst Calum had exaggerated her lack of skill in the kitchen, she had to admit, she didn’t enjoy cooking.
Not one bit. She hated having to think, prepare and make a meal.
It just bored her. She lacked the imagination and incentive to rustle up something different every day.
Usually, after a hard shift, she’d opt for the quick and convenient option – bangers and mash was a staple meal.
Luckily, Calum liked it too. Tara did, however, appreciate being cooked for and had thoroughly enjoyed Jack’s creations.
She loved his enthusiasm for producing good food, how he moved with ease about his kitchen, never ruffled.
‘Dad’s a good cook,’ stated Calum casually whilst pouring himself a coke. Jack’s eyes met Tara’s. ‘Mel’s crap though,’ he continued, making them exchange a smothered snigger. He looked up at Jack. ‘Game of Gran Turismo?’
‘Yeah, if we’ve time?’ He glanced at Tara.
‘Sure, dinner will be ready in half an hour,’ she replied, glad that Calum had asked Jack to join him on his PlayStation. He was obviously comfortable with him and this pleased her.
Whilst busy in the kitchen, Tara could hear cheers and shouts of laughter coming from her son’s bedroom.
It had been a while since she’d heard that.
Once the curry was ready, she popped her head around the door to see both Calum and Jack intensely operating their hand controllers, eyes fixed on the screen.
Calum’s tongue was sticking out the side of his mouth in concentration.
‘It’s ready,’ she said.
‘Just a minute, Mum,’ replied Calum, not taking his eyes off the game.
‘Come on, buddy,’ nudged Jack.
Reluctantly Calum gave in and they were soon sat at the table eating.
‘This isn’t too bad, Mum,’ remarked Calum tucking into the curry.
‘Thank you, Calum,’ replied Tara dryly.
‘It’s lovely,’ said Jack smiling at her.
‘What’s for afters?’ asked Calum.
‘Cheesecake, your favourite,’ replied Tara.
Calum turned to Jack with a cheeky wink. ‘Shop bought, not homemade.’
‘Oh, give your mum a break,’ he laughed. Then added, ‘She’s an amazing doctor you know. Excellent with a needle and thread.’ He lifted his hand to show Calum the scar he was left with from the wound that Tara had stitched.
‘Wow,’ said Calum staring at it. ‘Does it hurt?’
‘Not now, thanks to your mum,’ replied Jack.
‘That’s how you guys met, isn’t it, the hospital?’
‘It is. I sliced my hand on a window I was installing and was rushed to A&E.’
Calum’s eyes slid from Jack to Tara, as if for confirmation.
‘Yes, and I—’
‘Came to the rescue, again,’ cut in Jack.
Tara looked at him and smiled self-effacingly. There it was again, he thought, her modesty. He got the impression Tara never gave herself the full recognition she deserved.
‘So, you see, your mum might not be the world’s best cook, but she’s a superhero to many.’ He looked steadily at Calum, keen to drum home the message.
Calum shrugged. ‘Yeah, I guess so.’
After eating, they watched an action film which Calum picked. Tara was reminded of happier times when they’d been a family with Richard. Most weekends had been spent this way. That thought inevitably led to darker ones, mainly the letter she’d received from him.
‘You OK?’ whispered Jack, sensing her unease.
‘Fine,’ she replied with a tight smile.
Once the film was over, Calum announced he was off to his room, leaving Tara and Jack alone. Jack seized his moment.
‘Tara, what’s troubling you? And don’t say nothing,’ he quickly added, seeing the beginnings of her denial. He could tell by her expression she was about to deny anything was wrong.
Tara let out a heavy sigh.
‘Perhaps it’s easier just to show you,’ she replied somewhat wearily.
‘Show me what?’ frowned Jack.
Tara got up and retrieved Richard’s letter from her bag.
‘This,’ she said, handing it to him.
Jack scanned over the printed words, his jaw tightening all the time. A slow anger built up inside, threatening to spill out.
‘Do you want me to speak to him?’ he asked in a low, controlled voice.
‘And say what, Jack? Not that he’d listen to anybody, especially you. Apparently, according to that,’ she said and tipped her head towards the paper Jack was clutching, ‘you’re my young beau.’
‘Young? I’m only two years younger than you, for God’s sake,’ spat Jack, clenching his fist.
Tara nodded. ‘Which makes you several years younger than him. He’ll hate the fact he’s older than you. Richard’s a vain man.’
‘And a jealous one,’ retorted Jack.
‘Absolutely. He too has now been replaced by someone younger. He’s also had a financial knock, which must sting, because he’s also materialistic.’
‘He’s lashing out, trying to hurt you,’ said Jack in disgust.
‘That’s what Claire said.’
‘She’s right. I mean, all this threat of full custody… Does Calum even know?’ he asked, faced etched in concern.
‘No. There’s been no mention about this at all. And I refuse to discuss it with him.’
‘I don’t blame you. It’s just going to disrupt his world. The selfish bastard,’ he cursed under his breath, fury rising further. ‘What does Claire advise?’
‘To be honest, I don’t think she’s taking him seriously. She says to wait for a solicitor’s letter, then act.’
‘You mean you could end up in court again?’
‘Yes, we could, because there’s no way he’s taking Calum from me,’ she choked, chin trembling.
‘Oh, Tara, come here.’ Jack wrapped his arms tightly around her. Never had he felt such a need to protect.