Chapter Twenty-Seven Evie’s House
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Evie’s House
The next morning, Evie rang Kate to talk about Amelia. “I just think it’s weird. She got her hair done just like me and she’s even wearing the same sorts of clothes.”
Kate replied, “Think of it as a compliment. She obviously idolises you and she’s desperate to fit in here. I think you should cut her some slack.”
“Do you think that’s all there is to it?” said Evie, desperate to believe her friend.
“Yes. What else would it be? I know how sensitive you can be sometimes, but I do think you are overreacting a peedie bit. There’s no harm in the girl.”
“I know. You’re right. I’m sure you are right. Did I tell you that Ross Isbister has asked her out on a date tonight?”
“Seriously? That’s a turn-up for the books. I never thought I’d see the day,” said Kate. “Wait a minute, is that why you are out of sorts, Evie Muir? It’s nothing to do with Amelia being a copycat and it’s actually all about Ross?”
“Absolutely not,” said Evie indignantly. “He can ask whoever he likes out. I’m not bothered at all.”
Kate was unconvinced but instead she said, “It’s a big adjustment for both of you. She’s family, but you don’t know each other at all. I think she is just trying too hard. Give it time.”
Kate hung up and looked around the room with exasperation. She had frantically tidied up when Amelia had come over to meet everyone, but the house was back to the chaos that comes with an untidy husband and two small children.
Kate decided there was no point in trying to sort everything because it would just be a guddle again in no time. The dogs, Eric and Ernie, looked at her hopefully.
“Come on then, let’s go for a morning walk and clear away the cobwebs.
Those two little monkeys can clear up their toys when they get back from school and it will do them no harm to wear un-ironed uniforms tomorrow.
I don’t feel like making the tea so we can get fish suppers from the chippie instead. ”
The dogs barked for joy as they headed out the door.
Kate was surprised by how restless she felt.
She loved being a mother, but since the girls had both gone to primary school she had a bit more time on her hands.
She wasn’t artistic like Evie, but she did feel as though she had unfinished business when it came to having a career.
She’d never used her law degree, getting pregnant with Louise soon after she graduated, and then having Claire shortly after meant she never had the chance. With Edwyn working such long hours in the hospital it wasn’t possible for her to take on full-time work.
She bundled the dogs into the back of the messy, muddy car and they settled happily in the back seat knowing this would be a proper hike.
Kate drove all the way to the Kitchener Monument.
She decided to do the full circuit which would tire out even Eric and Ernie, two boisterous border terriers, named after the famous Morecombe and Wise comedy legends, even though they were both girls.
It was a tradition started by Evie’s dad, Duncan, who lived in a house of women but pretended his dogs were boys. “I know it doesn’t make any sense,” said Kate when Evie had brought them home as cute little black-faced puppies, “but I want to do it for Duncan.”
As with everything, Edwyn bowed to the wisdom of his wife. He considered himself the luckiest man in the world.
He was married to his best friend. The sex was still good for both of them and although his job at the hospital was often exhausting and demanding, he loved being a doctor. Best of all, he had two funny, bright and beautiful daughters.
Everything seemed just as it always was to Edwyn. He hadn’t noticed that Kate had grown quieter these past few months, but she knew they would soon need to have a serious conversation.
She marched the dogs up to the monument and started a brisk walk along the cliff tops.
She was soon breathless and even the dogs were panting.
As always when she was up here, she looked out at the views of the sea and down to Hoy where she could just about make out the Old Man, the famous sea stack pointing proudly skywards.
Andrzej had told her the other day that climbers were back on the Old Man and how a particularly daring, if foolhardy, acrobat had once strung a tightrope from the cliffs to the stack and wobbled across.
“They must all be off their heads,” she murmured.
Like everyone on the islands, she treated the cliffs with deep respect and had taught the girls to be careful when they went on puffin watch.
“Right, you two,” she said to the dogs. “We’ve a way to go before we get back to the car and it looks like it might rain.
” Kate was right. She was caught in a downpour and soaked to the skin.
She gave the dogs a hot shower and a bone each to chew on, while she had a bath before collecting the girls from school.
She put her daughters on tidy duty, making it into a game, while their cat, Joan Crawford, looked down on them from her shelf with haughty indifference.
The girls had given up trying to wrap Joan in cuddles after being spat and hissed at, and Edwyn still bore the scars from when he had to take her to the vet and she had almost clawed him to the bone.
They had repeatedly wondered who would triumph in the feud between their bad-tempered Joan Crawford and Freya’s grumpy Bette Davis.
It was too close to call and they all vowed never to leave them both in the same room alone together.
The whole family eyed Joan warily, especially the dogs, who gave her a wide berth.
Kate thought, “This is my life, being intimidated by a cat and at the beck and call of the kids and dogs. It really is about time I did something for myself.”
Edwyn came home after another shift where he’d stayed on late to reassure a woman who was beside herself about her husband having a heart attack.
He’d patiently explained that if he took care of himself, took his pills, cut down on the beer and the pies and did a bit of exercise, he would live to a grand old age.
Edwyn came home to a warm, messy house and a piping hot fish supper in the oven.
Kate and the girls had eaten, had their bath and were happily giggling in front of Sponge Bob Square Pants. To him, this was the perfect scene of domestic contentment.
When they finally went to bed after Edwyn had read them far more stories than Kate ever did, she told him: “We need to talk.”
“Oh Christ,” said Edwyn. “What have I done?”
She sighed at him, “You eejit, you haven’t done anything. Well, not that I know of anyway.” She looked at him through narrowed eyes and asked, “Have you done anything?”
Edwyn replied hastily: “Absolutely not. I just thought because you had your serious voice on that I was in trouble for something.”
“Behave yourself,” replied Kate. “I just want to talk to you about the future. Well, my future anyway.
“You know I love you and the girls, and the dogs and even Joan Crawford, although God knows why.”
Edwyn nodded, suddenly worried. “Where’s this heading, love?”
Kate met his gaze. “I need something for me. I’m just feeling as though life is passing me by.
Look at Freya and Evie. They have the gallery and their art.
Delima has Ola and baby Hari, but she also does all the fundraising and admin at the sanctuary.
Patsy has her work as a joiner with Andrzej, and then there’s Agnes with the hair salon.
Even though Maureen has been poorly, she still makes those beautiful blankets and hats and here I am just a housewife and a dog walker.
” Her voice began to wobble as she finished speaking.
“Oh come here,” said Edwyn, drawing her into his arms. “You are so much more than that. I couldn’t do my job if it wasn’t for you holding everything together at home and the girls are still so young and need you to look after them.”
“I know, but soon they will be at high school and then away to university or living on their own and I will be left behind. I want more than that, Edwyn. I don’t just want to be your support act.
I really want to use my law degree to help people and make a difference and if I’m honest the money would come in handy too. ”
Edwyn looked at her with affection. “If that’s what you want to do then of course I’m right behind you. I can ask for my hours to get cut if that would help.”
“No, I don’t want you to do that, at least not yet. I know how much you love your job.”
She looked at him seriously. “I’ve thought about this a lot and I’m going to take a refresher course online. It will take longer, but I think I can make it work. I might have to get my mum to babysit a bit more often and you might be getting more teas from the chippie, but I want to give it a go.”
Edwyn nodded. “Of course. I’ll support you all the way.”
“Thank you,” whispered Kate.
“You don’t have to thank me,” said Edwyn. “We’re a team.” Then he grinned, “I can just see you in court in a black gown with black stockings underneath and spikey high heels.”
Kate smiled and swatted at him playfully. “You are such an idiot, but if the girls are fast asleep, I might read you your rights while I decide on your punishment.”
“Will there be handcuffs?” asked Edwyn hopefully.
“You are such a fool. Get your arse over here.”
“Yes, ma’am.”