51. Chapter Fifty-One
Chapter Fifty-One
I turned to look at Bertie, who sat quietly on the back seat. ‘Ready?’
‘Yes.’ Bertie clutched his backpack. I had no idea what was in there, but he’d promised it wasn’t an iPad, so I’d let it drop.
Rob’s hands still clutched the steering wheel, despite us having been stationary on the drive for several minutes. ‘I’m not sure I can do this.’
‘I know it’s hard, but you’re a grown man. At some point you need to cut the apron strings.’
‘That’s easier said than done when the woman wearing the apron is my mother.’
I placed a hand on his and gave it a squeeze. ‘It will be OK. Remember, we’re not in this alone.’
Rob rolled his shoulders, cracked his knuckles, and stepped out of the car. My first act of rebellion that day was in the clothes I was wearing. Cut off denim shorts, a loose-fitting shirt and Converse trainers were not Marion’s idea of appropriate lunch attire. I’d also binned my hair straighteners, enjoying the feeling of loose curls swinging against my back.
Bertie knocked on the door and took my hand as we waited for it to open. When it did, Marion’s eyes narrowed as she took in my casual attire. ‘Running late this morning, were you?’ she asked, looking me up and down.
‘No.’
‘Hmm, well, we’re eating out on the patio today.’ She kissed Rob on both cheeks, then led us through the house and onto the patio overlooking the gardens and pool. A sail-like canopy shaded us from the fierce sun, and Hugo had set up an electric fan to provide some respite from the humidity.
‘I’ve prepared a cold lunch for us today,’ said Marion. ‘I couldn’t bear the thought of spending hours by a hot stove in this heat.’
We took our positions at the table and Hugo poured out cold glasses of champagne. ‘Are we celebrating something?’ I asked.
‘Marion wanted to mark our first lunch together since the two of you got back together.’
‘I see.’
‘How is school going?’ asked Hugo, turning to Bertie.
‘I hate it.’
Hugo laughed. ‘That good, eh? I’m sure you’ll settle in soon.’
Bertie looked at me and winked. I winked back.
‘And you, Liv? How are you settling back into your normal life?’
‘I’m struggling a little with the three a.m. starts.’
‘Three in the morning? Goodness, whatever are you doing getting up at that time?’
‘It’s so I can be at work by four.’
‘Work?’ Marion appeared, carrying a large tray with an assortment of china dishes on it.
‘Did you know anything about this, Marion?’ asked Hugo.
‘Know about what?’
‘That Olivia has got herself a job.’
‘But you can’t have. You’re at home every time I call round.’
‘Yes, I know. I start work at four and I’m home by seven. It seems you can’t get the staff these days, Marion. I thought the chap you’ve had watching me might have cottoned on to the fact I go out to work each day, but it seems not.’
‘What nonsense,’ said Marion, fiddling around with a potato salad. ‘Of course I’ve not had anyone watching you.’
I took a large sip of my champagne. Bertie unzipped his bag and began removing items onto the paving slabs.
‘Whatever is that child doing?’ asked Hugo.
We watched as Bertie removed his T-shirt and hung it on the back of a chair. Next, he took off his shorts, then wrapped a towel around his waist and took off his pants, replacing them with a pair of swimming shorts.
‘It looks as though Bertie fancies a swim,’ I said, picking a cherry tomato from a salad bowl and popping it in my mouth.
‘Young man, you know that pool is out of bounds.’
Bertie stuck his tongue out at Hugo, then ran down the grass verge, whooping and hollering as he dive-bombed the pool. Water sprayed up in the air, Marion’s mouth hanging open as she watched him.
‘Robert, you need to do something. Your son is running wild!’
Rob shrugged, grabbing the bottle of champagne and topping up his glass. ‘There doesn’t seem much point having a swimming pool if no one’s going to use it.’
‘You know the pool rules. What is going on? You’re all behaving very strangely today. Is the heat getting to you?’
‘No, Marion, it’s not the heat. In fact, my mind is clearer than it has been for a long time. Rob has something he’d like to say to you.’
‘Robert? What is all this about?’
‘We’re here to put a stop to your bullying. I can’t stand by and take it anymore. Liv and I are getting a divorce. She is going back to live at Lowen Farm with Bertie. I’ll see him every other weekend, and at least once during the week, depending on work commitments.’
‘Stop talking nonsense,’ said Marion. She pointed a bony finger in my direction. ‘Has she put you up to this? You’re making a big mistake, young lady. I’ve warned you what will happen.’
I reached into my handbag and smoothed a piece of paper out onto the table. ‘This is a list of all the people who are prepared to support me if you pursue a custody battle, both financially and as character witnesses. In addition, if you do decide to go down the legal route, I’m afraid I can’t guarantee my friends’ discretion. It is highly probable news of your blackmail, and yes, what you’re doing is blackmail, will end up in the national papers. I’m sure your friends at the bridge club would be fascinated to read about how you treat your nearest and dearest.’
‘You wouldn’t dare.’ Marion’s wrinkled skin had turned purple. Her hands shook. Hugo seemed to be drowning his shock under several glasses of champagne, downing each glass in one, before topping it up again.
‘I would dare. Also, you may have forgotten, but my brother-in-law is a police officer. It was silly leaving me copies of those photographs, Marion. I think you’ll find they count as evidence should I choose to report you for blackmail. Jasper has offered his help in creating a case against you.’
‘Robert, stop your wife saying such hateful things. I won’t be spoken to like this in my own home.’
‘I agree with every word Liv has said.’
‘We’ll cut you off,’ spluttered Hugo, his cheeks mottled as the alcohol took effect.
‘Do it, I don’t care anymore. There’s more to life than money and reputation. It may have taken me a long time to realise that, but better late than never.’
‘If we cut you off, you’ll be destitute. No house, no car, no office. You wouldn’t last five minutes without our support.’
‘Actually, I don’t need a house. I’m moving in with Nicola.’
I worried Hugo was about to have a heart attack. He spluttered into his champagne glass, his eyes bulging.
‘I expressly forbid you to see that trollop again,’ said Marion. A lock of hair had come loose and flopped about in front of her eyes. Her mouth was pinched so hard her lips had almost disappeared into her gums.
‘Nicola is a wonderful woman, and I won’t have you calling her names. We’re in love. We’re going to get married.’
‘You’re already married!’ shouted Marion. A piece of potato flew off her spoon, landing with a plop in her champagne glass.
‘The divorce shouldn’t take too much longer. Obviously, you’ll be invited to the wedding. In fact, perhaps we could hold the reception here?’
Rob’s nerves had vanished, and if I weren’t mistaken, I’d say he was enjoying himself. He piled salad and cold meats onto his plate, tucking into his food with gusto.
‘You can forget about getting another penny from us ever again if you go down this foolhardy route.’
Rob shrugged. ‘Fine by me.’ He pierced an olive with his fork and popped it into his mouth.
‘And you can hand back the keys for the office I’m paying for,’ said Hugo.
‘Sure. I’m folding the business, anyway. It’s never really got off the ground. Nicola and I have other plans. Her agent has got her a season at a ski resort in Switzerland. Apparently stand-up comedy is the latest trend in entertainment. I’ll work as a ski instructor. You know that’s what I’d planned to do straight after school?’
‘I remember talking sense into you.’
‘Well, anyway, this is all a few months away. In the meantime, I’ll find some sort of temp work. It will be hard being away from Bertie, but Liv’s going to bring him out to visit at Christmas, aren’t you?’
‘Yes,’ I said. ‘Bertie can’t wait.’
‘Mum!’ We all turned to where Bertie stood waving at the side of the pool.
‘What is it, Bertie?’
‘I couldn’t hold it.’
‘Hold what?’
‘I peed in the pool.’
‘GET OUT!’ screamed Marion, picking up dishes of salad and smashing them down on the patio. By now, all her hair had escaped its pins and flew around her face in an angry halo. ‘GET OUT GET OUT GET OUT!’
I picked Bertie’s clothes off the back of the chair and as he reached me, I wrapped a towel around his shoulders. ‘You seem a bit angry, Grandma,’ he said. ‘I’m sorry about the pee. It really was an accident.’
Marion let out a scream that reminded me of the foxes I sometimes heard at night. I bundled Bertie through the house, Rob following close behind. We climbed into the car in silence. Half a mile down the road, Rob pulled into a lay-by and turned off the engine.
‘Are you all right?’ I asked. ‘That must have been really hard. They’re still your parents, however badly they may have behaved.’
‘Do you know?’ said Rob. ‘I’ve never felt better. And don’t worry about Mum and Dad, they’ll get over it.’
‘Aren’t you worried about them disowning you?’
‘No. They’re old, I’m an only child. If they cut all ties with me, they will only be hurting themselves. I’ll take Nicola to meet them once they’ve calmed down.’
Rob’s relaxed attitude surprised me almost as much as the faith he had in his parents. From what I’d just witnessed, I thought it would take a long time for their anger to subside, if it ever did. But they were no longer my problem. I laughed.
‘What’s so funny, Mum?’
‘I don’t know,’ I said, wiping tears from my eyes. ‘Maybe it’s the peeing in the pool, maybe it’s the memory of your pet toad, or maybe it’s relief that I never have to eat Marion’s overcooked cabbage ever again.’
‘Mum, shall I tell you a secret?’
‘Go on.’
‘I didn’t really pee in their pool. I just wanted to see the look on their faces when I told them.’
‘That’s my boy,’ said Rob, turning the engine on and heading for home.