Chapter Fourteen
Anna felt as though she was floating in a bubble of happiness as she got off the train and headed home that evening. Even the thought of facing her family couldn’t dim her mood. If the worst came to the worst, she’d just retreat to her bedroom and ignore them as she worked on a list of photographs for the exhibition. But as she walked into the kitchen she was surprised to see her father standing in front of the sink, doing the washing-up.
‘Hello, love,’ he said pleasantly as she stopped in surprise.
‘Hello, Dad. What’s all this?’
‘Well, it wasn’t going to do it itself, was it? And to be honest it was starting to smell.’
She nodded as she noticed that all the kitchen windows were open. She picked up a tea towel. ‘I’ll dry then, make more room for the rest.’
‘You don’t have to do that. It’s not your mess.’
‘I know that. And neither should it be my punishment for going away. But as you’re showing willing, I will too.’
He frowned at her, holding a plate just above the water, his wrists dripping with soap suds. ‘What do you mean, punishment for going away?’
‘That’s what Jack said to Harry. That the mess was my punishment for going away, so I needed to clear it up.’
‘He said what!’ Andrew looked furious. ‘Are you sure?’
She nodded. ‘Ask Harry.’
‘No, I don’t need to.’ He shook his head. ‘I’m just shocked that he actually said that. Although I don’t know why I’m so surprised. He’s got out of hand recently and I’ve let him get away with it. I’m sorry. Not having you here this weekend, and the atmosphere since you came home, has made me realise how much we’ve taken you for granted.’
Anna was elated at his change in attitude. ‘It’s not that I mind doing things — most of the time I want the house to be nice, as Mum would have wanted it. I just wish we could pull together a bit more. It shouldn’t just be down to me.’
‘No, you’re right,’ he said, returning to the washing-up. ‘I do appreciate how much you’ve held this family together since Maggie died. I couldn’t cope, but you just got on with it. It should have been me being the strong one. Your mum would be so proud of you, love.’
Anna gulped, tears stinging her eyes. She turned away from him so that he wouldn’t see, and managed to say in a croaky voice, ‘Thanks, Dad.’ She reached out to give him a hug. ‘Everyone deals with grief differently. Mine was to keep busy, so perhaps that’s what worked for me. There’s no right or wrong way.’
‘No, but it’s time to stop burying my head in the sand. I’ll start tomorrow by speaking to Jack. No point trying to do it tonight — he’s out with his mates and by the time he gets back he’ll have had a skinful. And I’m going to call a family meeting. Tomorrow night, and we’re going to work out how we’re going to pull together. All of us.’
Anna grinned at him. Finally, he was listening. ‘That sounds like a good plan, Dad. What do you want for tea?’
* * *
Later, when they’d finished eating but were still sitting around the kitchen table, Anna said, ‘I’m glad you mentioned the others helping out a bit more, because I’m going to have less time in the next few months.’
‘Why’s that? Is it your slave driver of a boss?’
‘He’s not a slave driver, Dad, and it’s not my work for him that’s going to take up my time.’
‘What is it then?’
‘He’s seen some of the photographs I’ve taken and he’s working with me so that I can have an exhibition.’
‘Really?’ Her father looked surprised. ‘Don’t exhibitions cost money? How are you going to afford that?’
‘Daniel thinks I’ll more than cover the costs from what I sell.’
‘And you trust him, do you?’
‘I do. He knows what he’s talking about.’
‘That’s good then, isn’t it? So you’ll be a professional photographer?’
Anna laughed self-consciously. ‘I don’t know about that, but it’ll definitely be the first rung on the ladder.’
He nodded thoughtfully.
‘Please, Dad, say you’re happy for me.’
He looked shocked. ‘Of course I am. And I’ve always been proud of you, even though I don’t always say it.’
‘But my photography?’
‘Ah, well, that’s the thing you see.’ He sighed. ‘I’m a plumber, I see things from a practical point of view. I’ve never really understood the art world. I find it difficult.’
‘Maybe you’d understand more if you came to my exhibition, when I have it?’
‘Would you want me there?’ He looked surprised.
‘Of course I would, Dad!’
He smiled. ‘I’d be delighted to come and see how far my one and only daughter has come.’
‘Then you can be my guest of honour,’ she replied, grinning.
‘And in the meantime, I’ll make sure everyone helps out more in the house. We may need some help at first, though, just so you can show us how it’s done.’
‘Of course. Jack won’t be pleased.’
‘Jack won’t have any say in it. I’ll make sure he pulls his weight.’
* * *
The three of them were sitting round the kitchen table when Anna arrived home from work the next night. Judging by the scowl on Jack’s face, he wasn’t happy about it.
‘I hope this won’t take long,’ he said loudly as Anna walked into the kitchen. ‘I’ve arranged to go out.’
‘It will take as long as it takes,’ her father said gruffly. ‘And no one is going anywhere until we’re all in agreement.’
‘Agreement about what?’ Jack asked.
Anna had told Harry yesterday about her conversation with their father, so he knew what was coming. Jack, it seemed, was the only one who’d been kept in the dark.
‘Right,’ her dad said. ‘I’ve decided that things need to change around here. It’s not fair on Anna doing everything around the house like she has for so long. She’s got her own life to lead. So, from now on, we all need to pitch in.’
Jack scoffed. ‘What? You want us to do women’s work?’
‘We all live here, so it shouldn’t just be down to the only woman who lives here.’
‘You’ve changed your tune!’
‘Yes, I have,’ Andrew said firmly. ‘Anna works just as hard as the rest of us outside the home, so it’s not fair to expect her to do everything.’
‘Oh, what? Has the poor little baby been bleating to you? Too good to get her hands dirty now, is she?’
‘No, she’s not. She’ll be doing her share — we all will. And if you don’t like it, you know what you can do.’
Anna and Harry stared on, aghast. They’d never seen their father like this before. He’d never been one for confrontation, which was why he’d let Jack get away with so much for so long.
‘What do you mean I know what I can do?’ Jack looked shocked.
‘I mean, I’m the head of the household here. I’m the one who pays the bills, so if you don’t like my rules, you can find somewhere else to live.’
Jack laughed. ‘You think I can afford to live somewhere else on the poxy wages you pay me?’
‘I pay you what you’re worth, Jack. So if I’m not paying you enough, that’s on you.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘I mean your work is sloppy. I’ve lost count of the times I’ve had to check your work and redo it. I haven’t said anything before and that’s on me. You could be a good plumber if you put your mind to it, but you’re lazy and slapdash and only interested in going to the pub. I’ve tried to teach you but you’re not interested. So from now on, you’d better pull your weight at work and at home, or you might find yourself looking for another job as well as accommodation.’
Jack stood up abruptly, knocking his chair back in the process. ‘I’m not staying here to listen to this. I’m off.’
‘Pick that chair up before you go!’ Andrew shouted at him, also standing up.
Jack bent down roughly, pulled the chair up and slammed it back down again. Anna found herself holding her breath at the altercation and almost gasped when he turned to her, venom in his eyes. ‘I know this is all your doing, Daddy’s little girl. But don’t think you’ll get away with this.’
He turned on his heel and strode out of the kitchen. As he reached the door Andrew said, ‘Make sure you’re on time for work in the morning. And don’t be stinking of alcohol either. If you’re not fit for work, I won’t let you on site and you won’t be getting paid.’
His words were met with silence and the crashing of the front door as Jack stormed out.
‘That went well,’ Harry said a few moments later.
Andrew sighed. ‘My fault. It was probably too much in one go. But that’s been coming for a long time, only I haven’t been brave enough to confront him. Jack’s going to have to make some changes and, if he doesn’t, he’ll be out on his ear.’
‘That’s a bit harsh, isn’t it?’ Anna asked, surprised by her father’s turnaround.
‘No,’ he said, shaking his head. ‘I meant what I said about his work. I can’t keep covering for him. It’s my business and my reputation on the line, and if he wants to make his living as a plumber he can’t afford to keep making the mistakes he’s been making.’
Anna and Harry stared at each other in silence. For so long now, it had seemed as though Andrew and Jack weren’t just father and son but best friends, so it was a shock to realise how different things really were.
‘Well, I don’t know if you’ve got any ideas for tea,’ their father continued, breaking the silence. ‘But if you’d like to show me how to cook whatever it is, I’m willing to learn. Harry, you can watch too. You’re going to need to learn some cooking skills for when you’re at uni.’
Anna decided to start with something easy and began to put together the ingredients for a cottage pie. Her father and Harry watched as she showed them how to chop the onions and brown everything off in the saucepan.
‘You’ll have to write this down,’ her dad said. ‘I’ll never remember it. I’ve never cooked in my life.’
‘I’m sure you’ll soon get the hang of it,’ Anna said reassuringly.
‘It all seems pretty straightforward to me,’ Harry said.
‘That’s because you’re the brains of the family,’ Andrew said. Then he looked at Anna, stricken. ‘No offence, love.’
She laughed. ‘None taken. That’s exactly right.’ She turned to Harry. ‘Harry, can you put your exam timetable up on the fridge, so we’ll know when not to disturb you?’
‘Will do.’
‘I forgot to ask. How did the first one go on Monday?’
Harry grinned. ‘Pretty good actually. It was a relief to get one out of the way. My next one is Friday. They’re all pretty much spread out over the next month, so I should have enough time to revise between each one.’
‘Great. I’m sure you’re going to smash them,’ Anna told him.
‘You deserve to,’ her father said, patting Harry on his back. ‘After all the hard work you’ve put in.’
Harry grinned at the rare compliment and Anna felt a warm glow spread within her. Everything was finally coming together. The only fly in the ointment now was Jack.