CHAPTER THREE
Beth was a bag of nerves. She should have said something before now. Well before. Like, when she had first thought of moving to Picklewick. Or when she had arranged to view her new house. Or when she’d signed the contract (which was the same day she’d been shown around it). Or any time since then. Even yesterday would have been good – better than today in fact, because today was moving day.
And none of her kids knew.
Her stomach was in knots at the thought of how they would react. Surely they would be pleased to have their old mum living close by? But this was Dulcie and Maisie she was thinking of, and they mightn’t be thrilled. Nikki wouldn’t mind; Nikki was a different kettle of fish to the other two (Jay was different again, being a boy). Nikki was more like Beth in a lot of ways: straight talking, forthright, didn’t suffer fools gladly. If she saw a problem, she’d want to fix it.
Maisie was a dreamer, a butterfly, flitting around without a care in the world. Beth had to hand it to Adam though, he’d grounded her youngest child, so there was hope for her yet. Dulcie sat between the two, personality wise and timewise. She would be the trickiest of the three to convince that Beth had made the right decision. Beth knew, without a modicum of doubt, that Dulcie loved her. But loving someone didn’t mean you always got on, and Dulcie and Beth had often been at loggerheads when Dulcie lived at home.
A wave of guilt washed over her at the thought of ‘home’. She was about to walk out of her kids’ childhood home for the last time, and she hadn’t given them the opportunity to say goodbye to it. What kind of mother did that make her?
After the removal men loaded the van, Beth walked around the house one last time. It was strangely upsetting to see it empty, as though its soul had dissipated, leaving a shell of the former happy home. Saying that though, Beth realised the house had lost its soul long before today. The soul had left it when Maisie had gone to Picklewick to live.
Beth set off for the village shortly after the removal van and, as she drove, her thoughts turned away from the house she had moved out of, and towards the one she was about to move into. She was looking forward to this new era in her life, with one exception – at what point did she announce her arrival to her girls?
She couldn’t do it now obviously, because she was driving, and neither did she want to have that particular conversation over the phone if she pulled over into a layby. Better to do it face to face.
Or was it? A phone call would mean that she could tell them the news in as few words as possible and then end the call, thereby giving them time to process it before she saw them. Or would that be taking the coward’s way out?
Probably, and no doubt Dulcie would hightail it into the village as soon as Beth put the phone down.
Oh dear, she really had got herself into a pickle, hadn’t she?
Deciding to wait until her furniture had been unloaded because she couldn’t deal with the removal men, Dulcie, and Maisie at the same time (Nikki would be at work, as this was a school day, and Beth didn’t think it would be good for the poor pupils if Nikki got the news whilst she was in class), Beth carried on towards the village, mulling it over in her mind.
There was no option, she realised. She would have to tell them over the phone this evening. She would invite them to her new house, and although dealing with them en masse wasn’t her preferred option, she knew she wouldn’t have any choice, no matter which way she played it. As soon as she told one, the other two would know anyway.
Beth tried to put her dread to the back of her mind and concentrate on driving. The journey to Thornbury was on good A roads, but once past the town, the roads became narrower and twistier, and the chances of meeting a slow-moving tractor were greatly increased. So it was with slightly sweaty palms that she entered the outskirts of Picklewick, relief at arriving safely easing some of her tension.
She hadn’t realised how stressful moving house could be, and that was without having to buy or sell a property. But she only had herself to blame for being even more stressed than she should be.
Hazelnut Road was just before the start of the high street proper, so she was hoping to park up without seeing anyone who knew her. Keeping her eyes peeled and feeling like a spy in a low-budget movie, Beth sank lower into the driving seat as she turned into the street where her cottage was situated.
Relief washed over her when she saw that the van had arrived, and she pulled into the kerb a short way beyond it. Clambering somewhat inelegantly out of her little red car, her back stiff and her knees protesting, Beth reached for her handbag.
‘Won’t be a sec,’ she called to the men in the van. ‘Just got to collect the keys.’
Beth took off down the road and hurried towards the estate agent, returning with the keys as fast as her legs could carry her. The removal men had opened the back of the van and were already manoeuvring her settee onto the raised platform.
Excitement fluttered in her chest. Beth was hardly able to believe that this lovely terraced cottage was to be her new home. It was considerably smaller than her house in Birmingham, but that was a bonus as far as she was concerned. Now that her last chick had flown the nest, two bedrooms and one reception room were plenty. And she loved the period features in this house. Nikki would probably say that it needed updating (it still had a back boiler behind the gas fire in the living room, and an airing cupboard and hot water tank in one of the bedrooms), but Beth thought it was perfect, and she particularly loved the built-in cupboards either side of the chimney breast. They were probably original, from when the house was first built, she thought happily, as she inserted the key into the lock and opened the front door.
But her happiness quickly evaporated, and she let out a cry of dismay.
The living room ceiling was all over the living room floor, and water was pouring through the hole.
Beth felt like crying and when one of the removal men said, ‘Right love, where do you want this sofa?’ she began to wail.
‘I’m so sorry,’ Zander, the young chap from the estate agent’s office said, for the fifth time. ‘You have my word that we’ll get it repaired as soon as possible.’
‘How soon?’ Beth demanded. She felt sick. She had a van full of furniture, the house was inhabitable, and she was at her wits’ end.
‘We’ll have to contact the landlord, obviously, and see whether they want to organise the repairs, or whether they’ll want us to do it. And if so, we’ll have to obtain quotes and—’
‘So, it could be months?’
‘Hopefully not that long. Thank goodness you had the presence of mind to turn off the water at the mains.’
‘I didn’t; one of the removal men did.’
The two men were currently sitting in the van, twiddling their thumbs. Beth could tell that they weren’t amused.
‘It prevented even more damage,’ Zander said.
‘Never mind that!’ Beth cried. ‘Where am I going to live?’
Zander paled. ‘Oh, uh, well, I’ll, um, have to check the landlord’s insurance policy as to whether there’s any contingencies built in for—’
Beth lost her patience. ‘Don’t bother. I’ll stay with my daughter. Keep me updated as to when I can move back in. Not that I’ve actually moved in at all. And I don’t expect you to chase me for rent when I’m not actually living there.’
‘Of course not, Mrs Fairfax, although there may be—’
‘Whatever you’re about to say, don’t.’ Beth held up her hand. ‘You’ve got a deposit and the first month’s rent. You’re not getting a penny more out of me until I’ve moved in.’ That was the last word Beth intended to say on the matter.
She accompanied Zander to the door, locked it behind them, then handed him the keys.
‘You’ve got my number,’ she said, and marched over to the van.
The driver wound his window down. ‘Where to, love?’
‘Muddypuddle Lane. It’s not far, just the other side of the village. You can follow me.’
Now I’m for it, she thought, as she got in her car and began to drive. She wasn’t looking forward to the next couple of hours. Dulcie would be furious, and she had every right to be. Beth’s life was going to be hell for a while. She just hoped that the repairs wouldn’t take as long as she feared.
With the van tailing her, Beth drove slowly up the steep lane, wincing every time her little car encountered a pothole, and praying that her china wasn’t being bounced around too much.
Bracing herself for a serious telling off, she turned into the yard, and didn’t know whether to be relieved or disappointed when she saw that neither Dulcie’s nor Otto’s car were there, and guessed that no one was home.
To make sure, she knocked on the farmhouse door and tried the handle. It was locked. Beth waved to the driver to wait a sec and made her way over to the barn.
Apart from the rabbits, it was empty of animals. Perfect.
‘You can unload everything into the barn,’ she told the driver.
It was the only logical place for her furniture to go. It was dry, and if Otto could dig out some plastic sheeting or tarpaulin, it should be safe enough until she was able to move it into her new house.
It took less time to unload than to load, and half an hour later Beth was waving them off. Wishing she had a nice cup of tea, she sat herself down on the settee to wait. There was little else she could do.
After the excitement of the day, Beth had fallen asleep. The barn was surprisingly warm and cosy, and her settee had always been comfortable, so she was disorientated when she woke to the sound of an engine pulling into the yard.
Blinking owlishly, she heaved herself off the sofa, feeling stiff and not quite with it, knowing that she needed to sharpen up if she was to survive the next few minutes. Peeping warily around the open barn door, she saw Dulcie get out of Otto’s car, and heard her say, ‘That’s my mother’s car. What is she doing here?’
Otto also got out, looking as handsome as ever. Dulcie had done alright for herself, Beth thought with pride. He was a good bloke, was Otto, and Beth was comforted by his presence. He wouldn’t let Dulcie get too mad with her. Hopefully.
‘Mum? Where are you?’
‘In here.’ Beth emerged slowly.
‘What are you doing in the barn? Why didn’t you tell us you were coming?’
Beth didn’t move, and Dulcie walked towards her. It was only when Dulcie got near enough to see inside the barn that she stopped, and her eyes widened.
‘Mum, what’s all that?’
‘My furniture.’
‘Why is it in my barn?’
‘I had nowhere else to put it.’
Dulcie’s eyes widened even further. ‘Please don’t tell me you’ve been evicted.’
‘I haven’t been evicted.’
‘Thank goodness! For a moment—’ Dulcie stopped. ‘What’s going on?’
‘I’ve got something to tell you, but can I have a wee first? And I’m dying for a cuppa. Got any cake, Otto?’
Wordlessly Dulcie opened the farmhouse door and gestured for Beth to go inside. As she hurried into the downstairs loo, she could hear her daughter and Otto having a hushed conversation, but despite putting her ear to the toilet door, she couldn’t make out what was being said.
Nothing good, probably.
She was quite subdued when she entered the kitchen to find a teapot on the table and a slice of cake waiting for her. Despite her bravado, she didn’t have much of an appetite.
Dulcie was leaning against the sink, her arms folded. ‘Well?’
‘I wanted it to be a surprise,’ Beth began, ‘but there was a leak in the hot water tank and the living room ceiling came down, and I had to go somewhere so I came here. My stuff will be alright in the barn, won’t it? I thought if Otto could find some tarpaulin, he could cover it over.’
‘Mum, you’re not making sense. Are you trying to say that you’ve had a leak, and the ceiling has come down?’
‘I’m not trying to say it – I am saying it. That’s exactly what’s happened.’ Beth poured tea into a mug and took a grateful sip. She was parched.
‘But you’ve not got a hot water tank. You’ve had a combi boiler for years.’ Dulcie’s expression was one of puzzlement.
‘My new house has got a back boiler and a hot water tank.’
‘Your new house? Have you moved?’
‘Not quite. I was supposed to move in today, but when I got there, I found the ceiling on the floor and a great big puddle in the middle of the room.’
‘Mum, that’s awful! What does your landlord say?’
‘It’s through an estate agent, and they say they’ll fix it, but it could be a while.’
‘Have they offered you alternative accommodation?’
‘No. I don’t believe there is any.’
‘Surely, they must have something on their books? They can’t leave you homeless.’
‘They’ve got to check the landlord’s insurance policy, apparently.’
‘How long will that take?’
‘No idea. So, can I stay here?’ Beth saw Dulcie and Otto exchange glances. Clearly having her stay with them, wasn’t at the top of their wish list.
‘Of course you can,’ Dulcie said.
‘My stuff will be okay in the barn, won’t it?’
‘It will, Beth,’ Otto said. ‘I’m sure I’ve got something to cover it over. Do you want a hand bringing anything in?’
‘In a minute. I’ll eat my cake first.’ Her appetite was coming back. Dulcie wasn’t as put out as Beth had feared. Mind you, Dulcie didn’t know the whole story yet.
‘Where are you moving to, Mum? I’m assuming it’s somewhere smaller.’
‘It definitely is.’
‘Good for you. I’ve been saying for ages that the house is too big for you. Is that why you were having a clear out?’
Beth nodded, her mouth full of cake. She hoped she didn’t look as shifty as she felt.
‘Is your new house in Bournville?’
Beth inhaled sharply and a crumb went down the wrong way. Coughing until she was all hot and bothered, it took her a moment to catch her breath. When she had, Dulcie was still looking at her expectantly.
‘Not exactly. It’s in Picklewick,’ Beth mumbled.
Dulcie was silent. Eventually she said, ‘Where?’
‘Picklewick.’
‘That’s what I thought you said. The house you’re renting is in Picklewick?’
‘Yes.’
‘Why?’
‘I would have thought that was obvious. You’re all here – except Jay. I miss you.’
‘And you were supposed to be moving in today?’
‘Yes.’
‘When were you planning on telling us?’ Dulcie’s tone was frostier than the inside of a freezer.
‘Today. This evening. When Nikki got home from school. I was going to ask if you’d like to pop in and see me.’
‘You didn’t think to mention it before now?’
‘The time didn’t seem right.’
‘And you think now is the right time?’
‘It wasn’t supposed to happen like this.’
‘I bet it wasn’t.’
Beth got to her feet. ‘I’ll go get my cases.’ There wasn’t any point in continuing the conversation right now. She’d go to her room, have a lie down for a bit, and let Dulcie share the good news with her sisters. ‘Am I in my usual bedroom?’ she asked.
It was Dulcie’s turn to look shifty. ‘Not exactly.’
Beth winced as she heard her own words echoed back at her. ‘Oh?’
Were they decorating? Or had Otto moved his office from the small fourth bedroom?
‘You’re in the bedroom at the back. The other is being used. Or it will be tomorrow.’
‘By who?’ Beth asked, her imagination running wild. She hoped the room wasn’t being used because Maisie was moving back in. Beth had had such high hopes of Maisie and Adam’s relationship working out. Such a shame.
‘Walter.’
Walter?Wonderful! That was all she bloody needed.
‘I can walk to the car,’ Walter grumbled, as a nurse produced a wheelchair. He was supposed to sit in it for the journey from his hospital bed to the patient pick-up point outside the main door.
‘Humour me,’ the nurse said.
Walter inched his way forwards, turned slowly and sank into it with a grunt. He didn’t want to admit it, but he was relieved that he wasn’t expected to walk – or should he say ‘hobble’ – out of the hospital. Even with Otto to carry his bag and Dulcie hovering beside him, just going from the bed to the wheelchair had exhausted him. And a trip to the bathroom laid him low for a good couple of hours.
That damned nurse had been right: he was going to need some help. Which was why he would be staying with Otto and Dulcie for the duration. He would have someone to cook his meals and do his laundry, and, more importantly, make sure he didn’t fall down the stairs. Negotiating them, both up and down, was going to be interesting, and he had a feeling he might be using his bottom for both manoeuvres. It wouldn’t be pretty or graceful, but it would be the safest way.
Dulcie had suggested that they bring one of the beds down and put it in the living room, but Walter had flatly refused. As long as he took his time, he would be able to negotiate the stairs twice a day. And the room Dulcie had decided to put him in was the one nearest to the bathroom, so he wouldn’t have such a trek if he needed to go to the loo in the middle of the night. At his age if he only got up once for a pee, he considered himself fortunate.
Armed with a printed list of dos and don’ts, a small box of painkillers and an appointment to visit the fracture clinic, Walter left the hospital with a sense of relief.
‘Where’s Peg?’ he asked as Otto went to fetch the car, leaving him and Dulcie to wait by the main doors.
‘At the farm.’
‘I was hoping you might have brought her with you. I’ve missed her.’
‘She’s missed you, too. She hasn’t settled at all, bless her.’
‘She’s never left on her own,’ Walter said. The dog had been his constant companion since he had been forced to give up the farm. And when Otto had moved out of the cottage on Muddypuddle Lane and had gone to live with Dulcie at the farm, Walter had been glad of her company.
‘She’s not on her own,’ Dulcie told him. She hesitated, and Walter’s heart sank. Don’t tell me Maisie and Adam have had a falling out, he prayed silently. It was none of his business and he certainly wouldn’t say anything, but they’d seemed so well suited.
‘My mum is with her.’
‘Eh?’
‘My mother. She’s come to stay for a while.’
Walter’s mouth dropped open. He hadn’t been expecting that. No one had mentioned anything about Beth coming for a visit. The last thing he needed when he wasn’t feeling himself, was Dulcie’s flippin’ mother.
He tried to keep his tone neutral as he said, ‘That’s nice. Is she staying long?’
‘A few weeks.’
Damn. ‘Is everything alright?’
Dulcie rolled her eyes and sighed. ‘Where Mum is concerned nothing is ever alright. To cut a long story short, she’s decided to downsize and is moving into a smaller house. She was due to move in yesterday, but when she arrived at the property there had been a leak and one of the ceilings had come down. So she’s staying with us until the house is repaired.’
Walter prayed it wouldn’t take long; hopefully she’d be gone in a week or two and he could spend the rest of the time at the farm in peace, not seeing her again until her Christmas visit, which was a good few months away.
‘There’s more,’ Dulcie said. ‘The house she’s supposed to be moving into is in Picklewick. My mother is going to be living just down the road.’
Bloody marvellous, Walter thought. If anything was guaranteed to set his recovery back, it was that.