Chapter 40
LIZZIE
I wake up the next morning feeling brighter.
I’m not going to let Alison drag me down into a pit of despair again.
I owe it to my kids to keep strong. I tell Isaac and Grace over breakfast that we’re going to stay at Jodie’s that night and they’re delighted.
They both get on with Millie, and Grace adores playing with Freddie.
While the kids eat breakfast I check my tutor page and am relieved to see that there aren’t any more one-star ratings.
Maybe it was just a disgruntled student who didn’t get the grade.
There are several assignments to mark and a couple of students want a one-to-one session.
I’ll do that this morning, then I’ll visit Mum this afternoon before I pick the kids up and go to Jodie’s.
The morning whizzes by. It’s gone two before I’ve finished everything so I grab a quick sandwich and head over to Mum’s. I was hoping to pack our overnight bags and go to Jodie’s straight from school, but I’ll have to come back and do that. It doesn’t matter, it’s more important to see Mum.
I’m surprised to find Kenny’s car parked in the drive. Again. Honestly, he and Sheila practically live there. I’m a bit annoyed too, it means I won’t have time to talk to Mum alone. Maybe that’s for the best, though. Perhaps I should tell Nick about my part in George’s wife’s death first, then Mum.
I’m glad now that I got a key cut, I think as I put the key in the lock and open the front door, calling out, ‘It’s only me, Mum,’ as I step into the hall.
Sheila comes out of the kitchen, her face registering surprise when she sees me. ‘Oh hello, dear. I didn’t hear you knock.’
I wave the key I’m holding. ‘I let myself in.’ I want to say what are you doing here again, but it sounds rude so I opt for, ‘Have you dropped by to visit Alison?’
‘She’s popped out for a bit so she asked me and Kenny to sit with your mum.’
‘I would have done that. She should have phoned me.’
‘Alison knows how busy you are, dear. You have the children, and your work. And Nick said you haven’t been yourself just lately.’ Her eyes meet mine and I wonder exactly what Nick has told her. And when?
‘Do come and join us, we’re in the garden.’
Determined not to be stung by being invited into my own mother’s garden, I follow her outside. Mum is sitting at the table, laughing at something Kenny is saying. It looks a happy family scene and my heart lifts at hearing her happy.
‘Hello, Lizzie. Are you feeling better?’ Kenny rises to his feet to greet me.
Another one who thinks I’ve been ill.
‘I haven’t been unwell, just busy with work,’ I reply. ‘How are you all?’ I sit down in the chair next to my mum, guessing it must be Sheila’s chair but she can sit the other side of the table. ‘How are you, Mum? It’s so good to see you out and about.’
‘Hello, Lizzie. I’m feeling a lot stronger today.’ She turns to face me. ‘It’s so lovely to see you. How are the kiddies?’
‘They’re good.’ I relate the kids’ latest escapades to her and soon we’re both chuckling.
Sheila and Kenny show no sign of going home. I guess they are intending to stay until Alison gets back. I really want to talk to Mum in private. Then Kenny’s phone rings, he answers, beckons to Sheila and they go indoors. I take my chance.
‘Mum, why does everyone think I’ve been ill?’
She looks at me in surprise. ‘Because Nick told us so.’
‘What? When?’
‘He came by yesterday and was talking to Alison. They were huddled up together in the kitchen. They’re quite friendly, aren’t they?
I guess it’s because they used to work together at Arthur’s firm.
Anyway, when Alison came back in I asked her what Nick wanted, and she said that he’d told her you were ill.
’ She looks worried. ‘Has your anxiety come back, love? I see that you’re wearing your band. ’
Embarrassed, I pull the sleeve of my top down, my mind in a whirl. Nick came to see Alison before he came home yesterday and didn’t mention it to me?
And why are they so close? Has he told me the truth about their relationship all those years ago? Or was there something between them then and now they’ve taken up where they left off? Am I right to worry that Alison is trying to get the ultimate revenge by taking my husband from me.