Chapter 41
CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
Ben was waiting for me outside the kitchen as I told Grandpa and Aunty Bev to go into the kitchen. I remembered what Denise had said. ‘Please leave me alone, Ben.’
‘What did she say?’
I batted his hand away. ‘Nothing, I need to be on my own.’
‘Rachel,’ Ben said softly, ‘talk to me.’
‘I believed Olivia,’ I said, with a voice thick with emotion. ‘Why did Denise tell me a mum from school is messaging you? And she’s not the only one apparently.’ Tears rolled down my face. ‘I should have stayed away.’
He placed his arms around me and took out his phone. ‘Okay, look at this. One of the year six mothers – Zoe – texted me to ask which child grief counsellor I used with Rosie when she was struggling a year ago. Do you want to see her text? I also text Sonia about Olivia because I want to stay in touch, and she keeps asking how we are doing. The other texts I have are from my mother and Tom. Rachel, I am not a woman magnet. I told Denise I didn’t want to date her because Olivia had introduced me to her amazing and beautiful friend and even though this friend had ghosted me I had this strange feeling I would one day meet her again.’
‘Really?’
He smiled. ‘Before she died Olivia texted me to say to not give up hope on Rachel. I wished I’d kept that text.’
I looked up into his eyes and he cupped my cheeks with his warm hands. ‘Rachel, I only have eyes for you.’
He held me close and pressed his lips against mine. I ran my hands through his hair as our kiss got more passionate. We both broke away after we heard voices in the kitchen. Grandpa let out a cheer and Aunty Bev exclaimed, ‘You’re pregnant and Frank’s not the father? Oh God, I need a stiff drink.’
Ben smiled. ‘I’ll see you tomorrow. It sounds like you’re needed in there.’
‘See you tomorrow, Ben.’
As I sat down next to Grandpa, Aunty Bev put her hands together in a prayer-like pose and prayed out loud. ‘Thanks, God, for this wonderful news. I am looking forward to seeing the faces of my sisters when they hear this, especially Janice. If only Maddie could record the moment she tells Janice. I would treasure that recording for years to come.’
We all smiled. Grandpa was sat next to Maddie holding her hand. ‘I am delighted for you, my lovely girl.’
I grabbed four glasses, a bottle of wine from the rack and an elderflower soft drink for Maddie.
Aunty Bev took her glass, threw her head back and drained it. ‘I needed that. Pour me another one.’ Then, after taking a mouthful from her second glass, she said, ‘So, when do we meet Josh?’
Maddie grinned. ‘Josh? Are you still there?’
We heard footsteps and there was Josh beaming at us from the doorway. ‘Hi, all.’ He smiled and came to sit next to me. ‘We met the other day at the farm, didn’t we?’
I grinned. ‘I thought you acted suspicious.’
Maddie squeezed his hand. ‘This is the man I love and want to spend the rest of my life with, everyone.’ She wiped a tear from her cheek. ‘I’m not going to create any more mess.’
Grandpa gave her a cuddle. ‘Hey, you’re amongst fellow mess creators – me, Beverly and Rachel.’
We all giggled. Aunty Bev pointed at me with her wine glass. ‘Rachel has broken every rule given to her.’
‘You were the one who snuck into the west wing, Aunty Beverly.’
She grinned. ‘So I was. Maddie – sorry about that. I struggle with the concept of “no” at my age.’
My phone began to vibrate. As I took it out of my pocket, I saw that it was Mum facetiming me from Tenerife. ‘Oh God,’ I croaked, showing Maddie.
She gave a silent nod and took the phone from me. ‘Stand well back,’ she whispered. ‘I am about to cause an explosion.’
‘Hello, Mum,’ she said, as Mum appeared on the screen. I peered over Maddie’s shoulder and saw total shock take hold of Mum’s face. ‘Maddie,’ she gasped. ‘Why are you back? Has Rachel burnt your house down?’
‘I’m pregnant, Mum,’ said Maddie.
Mum squealed with delight. She turned to the room behind her. ‘Everyone – Maddie is pregnant.’
An almighty cheer could be heard, and Aunty Karen came over to hug Mum. ‘Oh, Janice, this is great news,’ she gushed. ‘You’re going to be a grandmother to a celebrity baby.’
Mum grinned from ear to ear as Uncle Robert shouted, ‘Is it Frank’s baby?’
Mum scowled at Uncle Robert and Aunty Karen shouted at him, ‘Robert, don’t say stupid things.’
‘Maddie, this is the best news and what a Christmas present,’ gushed Mum. ‘I bet Frank is over the moon.’
‘It’s not Frank’s baby,’ said Maddie.
Mum’s face froze and her eyes glazed over.
‘Mum – are you okay?’
We were all distracted by Aunty Bev who threw back her head and guffawed with laughter. Aunty Karen took the phone from Mum, who looked like she had seen a ghost.
‘Maddie, can you repeat what you just said,’ gushed Aunty Karen. ‘Bad line.’ She let out a nervous laugh. ‘Say it again and slowly please.’
‘The-baby-is-NOT-Frank’s, Aunty Karen,’ said Maddie, slowly, clearly and emphasising the key words. ‘I-had-an AFFAIR-with-JOSH-from-uni. The guy Mum never liked. Frank and I are SEPARATING.’
Aunty Karen’s eyes started to roll around inside her sockets and her face went chalk white. We gasped as she fainted, and Uncle Robert had to catch her crumpled body. ‘For God’s sake, Karen, this is not a good time to pass out.’ Uncle Robert laid her down. ‘She’ll be fine in a sec,’ he said as Gary came rushing over.
Aunty Bev chuckled away to herself. ‘Thank God Robert never entered the medical profession.’
Robert turned to Mum who was in a trance. ‘Janice, do you need a drink?’
She remained silent. Uncle Robert turned to us on the phone. ‘Congratulations, Maddie, I never liked Frank. Good on you.’
We could hear Aunty Karen groaning on the floor beneath the screen, Gary popped his arm around Uncle Robert’s shoulder and grinned at us. ‘Rob and I going to nip to the beach bar. These two can sort themselves out.’
As they waved us goodbye, I heard Aunty Karen croak, ‘Get Janice an emergency ciggie ASAP.’
Aunty Bev burst out laughing. ‘Karen, Janice needs more than that.’
Once the call had ended, I caught sight of Josh looking shell-shocked. ‘This is normal for us, Josh,’ I quipped. ‘Welcome to the family.’
Maddie placed her face in her hands. ‘Wow, that was surreal.’
I rubbed Maddie’s shoulder. ‘You have now got what you always wanted – a secret family WhatsApp family group chat titled, Maddie needs our help ASAP! ’
Once we’d stopped laughing, and we gathered our thoughts, I turned to Maddie. ‘So, what happens now?’
She smiled. ‘That’s what we need to talk about.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘Frank and I signed a prenup. I get this place in the event of a separation. This place was always going to be mine. Frank didn’t want me getting my hands on his empire. I did worry about that as I was the one who had the affair and ended the marriage, but Frank has confirmed via his lawyer this place is mine.’
‘Wow, Maddie, what are you going to do with it?’
Her eyes sparkled. ‘How about we make our business idea happen? Let’s turn part of this place into a café or restaurant. You and me, Rachel. Like we discussed in Greece all those years ago. Your amazing culinary skills and my business management brain. What do you think?’