Chapter 41
LIZZIE
‘Are you all right, Lizzie?’
Mum’s words pull me out of my thoughts. ‘Yes, I’m fine.’ I want to confide in her but how can I when Alison, Kenny or Sheila are always here? It’s like they won’t give us chance to be alone. I feel that they’re deliberately trying to cause a divide between us.
Mum yawns. ‘Oh goodness, I wish I wasn’t so tired all the time.’
I can’t believe that she’s so exhausted again. I look at her worriedly. Maybe I shouldn’t go to stay with Jodie. Maybe I should stay home and look after my mum.
‘Why don’t you come home and stay with me for the weekend, Mum? I can look after you, give Alison a break.’
Mum looks at me in surprise. ‘But George is home the weekend and we’re hoping that Sam will send over the wedding photos. I can’t wait to see them. Besides, you have enough to do with Nick away.’
I stare at her. I haven’t mentioned that Nick’s away yet. I guess he told them yesterday. During the visit he didn’t bother to tell me about, when he also told them that I was ill.
Although to be fair he didn’t get much chance, I remind myself, I was so worked up over that peanut butter and he had to get away so quickly.
He could have messaged and told me once he got there though. But then he had that problem at work to deal with. Thoughts are ping ponging in my mind and I bat them away, reciting the mantra my therapist told me. That thought can wait. It helps break the relentless whirl of thoughts consuming me.
‘Lizzie, love, you’ll make your wrist bleed.’
Mum’s voice breaks through my tumble of thoughts. I blink. Then I look down at my wrist and am astonished to see the red welt that’s formed there. I hadn’t been aware that I’d been pinging my band.
Alison returns just then. She looks surprised to see me. ‘Oh hello, Lizzie. Are you feeling better now?’
Not another one.
‘I’m perfectly well, thank you,’ I reply.
‘I’ve been reading one of those detective books you bought me,’ Mum tells me. ‘I haven’t got very far, I’m afraid. As soon as I read a couple of pages I start to feel sleepy. But it’s very good. Thank you for thinking of me.’
‘I’m glad, I know how you like solving the mysteries.’ I smile at Mum then notice that her eyes are already closing.
‘Are you tired, Mum?’
‘I am. I think it’s all the fresh air, and the chatting. I’d better go and lie down for a little while.’
Alison is at her side immediately. ‘Let me help you.’
‘Thank you, dear. See you soon, Lizzie. Love to the kiddies,’ Mum says.
I watch as Alison helps her up. On one hand she really seems to care for Mum, but she’s very possessive over her too.
‘We’d better go too,’ Sheila says. ‘Leave Alison to get on.’
‘It’s lucky that you can share a lift. How far away from each other do you live?’ I ask them.
‘We live together,’ Sheila says. ‘George moved in with me when Carol died, so I could help look after Alison and Kenny.’
I’m surprised to hear this, but it isn’t until I get back home that a memory pops into my mind.
George’s customer said that George had money problems and had been about to sell his shop when he met Mum.
I’d thought she meant that now he was living with Mum he was selling his house to solve his money problems. But it seems it’s Sheila’s house.
So how has moving in with Mum solved his money problems?
And why does Mum think that George owns the house, not Sheila?
My mind is whirling. George was struggling to make ends meet when he met Mum. Within a couple of months she has a mini stroke and he moves in with her. Then the very day they get married Mum goes dizzy and has a fall.
An image of Mum’s open document folder flashes into my mind. Someone’s been looking at her will and personal papers. Was it George?