10. Two ambushes and a cappuccino
10
TWO AMBUSHES AND A CAPPUCCINO
When Frank’s own daughter, Robyn, had been living at home they’d sometimes sit down together and paint. They were some of the happiest times of his life, him and his darling girl sharing something they both loved. Now that she was making her life in Edinburgh, Robyn didn’t have much time for painting. It was a pity, but kids grow up. One minute you’re changing their nappies and the next, you’re helping them with their first mortgage. That was life.
In some ways, Liza plugged the gaping hole that Robyn had left when she moved away from home. He still missed his daughter but moments like these, him and Liza painting together, helped to remind him that life was also about swings and roundabouts, losses and gains. He didn’t get to paint with Robyn anymore, but he really enjoyed the times when he and Liza worked, easels side by side. She was a lot chattier than Robyn. Frank normally worked alone, and it had been a bit off-putting at first, but he’d got used to it and soon found he liked the noisy Liza times as much as the quiet ones on his own. Besides, it wouldn’t last forever. Liza was almost twenty-one. Sooner or later she’d move out of Netta’s and make her own way in the world, just like Robyn.
That road trip he’d been on over the Easter holidays had been life changing. He’d come back a new man. New-man Frank was a fitter, healthier, more passionate version of himself. New-man Frank made the most of precious moments and embraced life’s ups and downs. New-man Frank was going to enjoy this time with Liza for as long as it lasted.
He was painting a landscape from a sketch he’d made on that road trip in readiness for an exhibition he had coming up in the autumn. Liza was painting a portrait. She’d started it last week and it was beginning to take shape. The subject’s character was already beginning to emerge. Strikingly so. Frank stopped for a minute to admire it. She was talented. No doubt about it. ‘I love the way you’ve used tones and textures to capture the essence of him.’
She seemed pleased with his observation. ‘Thanks. I’m trying to be bolder and freer.’
‘Well, you’re getting there, for sure. Has your dad said anything about getting back to his painting? Your mum said he had some commissions waiting.’
‘No. He hasn’t said much about anything since Arianne messaged to say she’d changed the locks. I kind of want to go and kick the door in or something but when I told him, he asked me to stay away. I just don’t get it. When we were kids and all living in that house, he was horrible to Mum. Like, he really controlled her. And now he lets Arianne treat him like a doormat. I’m not saying I want him to be back to the way he was with Mum, but I wish he’d stand up for himself.’
‘We’ll have to get him back to doing some painting. That might revive him. If you get a chance, tell him he can use this place. I’ve offered already, but I’m not sure he thinks I’m serious.’
Liza frowned. ‘You’re kinda nice, aren’t you?’
‘I have an ulterior motive. We need to help him get his house back before Will comes home.’ It wasn’t exactly lying. They did need to get Colin away before Will came back from uni. But the real reason was that Frank wanted him gone. He and Netta hadn’t had words last Sunday, but she’d been pissed off with him over that remark he’d made. He wasn’t used to it and he didn’t like it. Nor did he like having Colin lurking about the place like some malevolent spirit. So no, he wasn’t being nice. He was doing whatever he could to get that sneaky shite as far away as possible.
‘Boring. I thought you’d have a much more exciting ulterior motive,’ said Liza.
‘Such as?’
‘Oh I don’t know. Maybe something like you wanted to ask Mum to marry you.’
What the feck? Frank almost fell off his seat. ‘Well that came from nowhere. Why would you be saying something like that?’
‘Dunno. I suppose because you’re great together.’
‘That’s very nice of you to say so, but your mum and me haven’t talked about marriage. We’re happy as we are.’
‘So you don’t want to get married then?’
‘I didn’t say that. It’s just never occurred to me, to us.’ Well, it hadn’t occurred to him, and he was pretty certain it hadn’t occurred to Netta either. Had it?
‘We all think you should go for it.’
‘Do you now? And who might “we” be?’
‘Me, obviously. Robyn.’
‘Oh, so you’ve discussed it with Robyn?’
‘Yeah. She thinks it’s a great idea. So do Kelly and Will.’
Bamboozled. Frank was feeling bamboozled. He was having a lovely day painting and suddenly he was in the middle of an ambush. Could he be ambushed by one person? He could if she had back up allegedly provided by all of the younger members of their hybrid family. He needed an escape route. Think, think. ‘Talking of Will, have you spoken to him since your dad got here?’
‘No, I’m avoiding him in case I let it out. Mum said she’ll tell him when she picks him up from York, if Dad’s still here. Nan’s said Dad will have to go and live at theirs if he hasn’t got his shit together by then. Oh my life, can you imagine that?’
No, Frank could not imagine that, but seeing as Geraldine was now walking through the gate between his garden and Netta’s he decided to take the opportunity to find out if it was correct. ‘Is that right, Geraldine? Have you offered to put Colin up?’
Geraldine stepped in through the French windows. ‘Hopefully it won’t come to that, but yes I have. Although I’m not sure Arthur’s too keen, but we all have to make sacrifices, don’t we?’
Liza giggled. ‘Nan, you know Dad would hate that?’
‘Yes. And excuse me for being blunt, sweetheart, but there’s not much your dad doesn’t hate. He’ll just have to live with it, unless we can find an alternative. Like I said, sacrifices. Isn’t that right, Frank?’
‘Er, yes indeed.’ Geraldine was giving him a look that probably meant something. Unfortunately, Frank had no idea what it was.
‘Anyway, I was about to go and meet a friend for coffee, but she’s had to cancel, which is a shame because I just fancied a cappuccino.’ Geraldine was giving him another of those looks. This time, however, Frank knew exactly what it meant.
‘Will I make you one here, Geraldine?’
‘Oh that would be lovely, Frank. Thank you. Liza, why don’t you pop back over to yours? I’ve made some muffins this morning. Bring three back with you. They’re blueberry and oat, Frank. Almost healthy.’
It was no use arguing with Geraldine and actually, her blueberry and oat muffins were delicious. Frank set about making three coffees on his machine which was exactly the same as the one that lived in Netta’s house but somewhat older and tattier.
He set down a cappuccino in front of Geraldine on the breakfast table. She grabbed his hand as soon as he let go of the cup. ‘Quickly, Frank, while Liza’s not here. I do have a Colin Plan B, but you might not like it.’
‘I see.’ Frank was beginning to get an inkling about that look she’d given him earlier and he was almost certain she was right. Whatever Plan B was, he was not going to like it.
‘You know how much Arthur and I detest Colin?’
‘I think I do, yes.’
‘We’re willing to do our bit and take him in, but I’m fearful of what Arthur may do to him. He’s not as easy going as you might think. He can be quite uncontrollable when he’s riled.’
‘Arthur?’ Surely not Arthur Wilde? The man was a saint.
‘And to be perfectly honest, if it happened, I’m not sure I’d be able to stop myself egging Arthur on. So, I was wondering if it might be better all round if Colin moved in here until we can get rid of him. What do you think?’
‘I er, I er…’ Shit and double shit. Colin Grey in his house, under his feet, day and night, night and day. No, no, no, no, no!
‘Obviously, we’d all support you. I think every one of us wants to see the back of him as quickly as possible. Don’t you agree?’
‘I guess so.’
‘So you’ll take him then, if necessary?’
Frank screwed his eyes up. Ambushed again. ‘I suppose.’
‘Good. We’ve got to work together on this, Frank. It’s the only way to get shot of him.’ She raised a hand to wave at Liza who was coming back, then let it fall. ‘Oh.’
Frank followed her gaze. Liza was nearly with them. A few yards behind her was Will.
‘What a lovely surprise.’ Geraldine plastered a smile across her face and held out her arms. As she got up to wrap them around her grandson, she whispered: ‘Plan B, Frank.’
Plan B it was then. Bollocks.