Chapter 16
SIXTEEN
As I look Lina over, my heart breaks for her.
She’s said some awful, frightening things, but she’s obviously extremely confused, as demonstrated by the fact that she appears not to know where she is for a moment.
When I go through the front door of her flat, I’m deeply concerned for her.
The stairs coming up, which she could barely manage, were bad enough, strewn with litter and thick with dust. The flat itself is appalling, freezing cold, dark and dingy, and so tiny, one room combining a small living area and kitchenette, with a bedroom leading off.
There are boxes everywhere, overflowing with magazines, old books and documents.
Clothes spew from carrier bags. The coffee table is piled high with newspapers and food-encrusted plates, providing a feast for the flies.
I can see from where I’m standing that the sink is also overflowing with unwashed crockery.
I press the back of my hand to my nose as the pungent smell of sewage reaches my nostrils.
‘It’s from the shop,’ Evie says, glancing at me as she begins collecting dirty plates and dumping them in the kitchen area.
‘The plumbing’s backed up. I tried to call a local plumber, but no one got back to me.
They’re obviously not interested in doing small jobs. ’
I note the look as she glances again at me, one of anger and disillusionment, and I gather she hadn’t considered mentioning it to Jack, who could have taken a look or got one of his team to. Clearly Lina has communicated that he doesn’t want anything to do with her.
Coming back, Evie helps Lina with the coat she’s struggling to unbutton, then wraps an arm around her and steers her across to the sagging sofa.
After helping her to sit down, she fetches a throw from the back of the sofa, arranging it over her knees, then bends to scoop up a box that’s been abandoned in the middle of the floor.
I almost jump out of my skin as something scurries from beneath it, its thin, scaly tail dragging behind it telling me it’s one of my own worst nightmares.
If the place is infested with mice, I daren’t think what other kind of vermin might be lurking.
‘This is awful,’ I say quietly, joining Evie as she carries the box to the front door. ‘It’s not at all suitable for someone with Lina’s health issues.’ With some serious work it might be habitable, but then there are the stairs, which I could see had left her breathless.
Evie gives me a look. ‘She doesn’t have much choice,’ she says, continuing to attempt to tidy up.
‘She can’t afford anywhere else, and she has no family except me,’ she adds pointedly.
‘She won’t be here long anyway. The money-grabbing landlord’s serving eviction notices.
He’s selling the building to be developed into luxury apartments rather than spend any money on improving the existing flats. ’
‘I’ll be fine, my lovely.’ Lina smiles wanly. ‘The place soon warms up with the fire on, and I’m sure I’ll find somewhere else.’
Where else? If this is all she can afford, isn’t she bound to end up somewhere equally appalling? My gaze goes to the gas fire, which is ancient and has probably never been serviced.
‘Sorry about the mess.’ She indicates the many overspilling bags and boxes. ‘I couldn’t bear to part with Natalia’s things, but there’s not much room here, I’m afraid.’
‘They’re her memories,’ Evie says. ‘Reminders of my mother.’
She’s close to tears, I realise, and I feel so bad for her.
For Lina too. She can’t stay here. I doubt Jack will be very pleased, but I can’t think of any alternative than for her to come and live with us for a while, especially as she’s about to be evicted anyway.
It’s clear she’s struggling to manage on her own.
Evie’s obviously concerned for her, and from her determination earlier, she’s not about to abandon her.
‘She could stay with us,’ I offer tentatively. ‘At least until we can get somewhere more suitable sorted out.’ I glance from Evie to Lina. ‘The annexe was converted into a granny flat. It will need a few things, bed linen and so on, but it’s not being used, so…’
Evie’s expression is a combination of surprise and confusion. ‘But what about Dad?’ she asks doubtfully. ‘He’s not going to be thrilled about it, is he?’
‘I’ll talk to him. He’ll come round,’ I say with an optimism I don’t feel.
‘He was shocked when Lina turned up out of the blue. And by some of the things she said. He was bound to be.’ I glance again at Lina, who is gathering the throw more tightly around her.
‘We would all need to try hard to make it work, but for the moment it seems like the only sensible option. She can’t stay here. ’
‘Nan?’ Evie looks across to her, her expression hopeful. ‘What do you think?’
Lina frowns. ‘I’m not sure,’ she murmurs. ‘I don’t want to be a burden.’
‘You’re not a burden.’ Evie goes to sit next to her and takes hold of her hands, and I’m touched by her kindness. ‘The annexe is separate to the house, so you’ll still be able to live independently, won’t she, Kara?’
Her gaze flicks nervously back to me, and I pray quietly that I’m doing the right thing.
It’s my property, but it’s Jack’s home too.
The last thing I want is for him to feel he has no say in anything.
I really don’t think there’s any other option, though.
Lina has to have somewhere better than this to live until we can sort something else out.
‘She will.’ I arrange my face into a smile and glance back to Lina. ‘But you’ll have someone on hand should you need help.’
‘So I won’t have to live in the same house as Jack?’ she asks, her expression cautious.
‘No,’ I assure her. ‘As Evie said, the annexe is quite separate.’
‘Well, as long as you’re sure it will be all right,’ Lina says.
‘I’ll have to speak to Jack first, but I’m sure he’ll agree,’ I answer with a nod.
Evie surprises me with the speed at which she moves, launching herself from the sofa to throw her arms around me.
‘Thanks, Kara,’ she muffles into my shoulder.
As she draws away, she wipes a tear from her cheek, and I feel my own eyes filling up.
If nothing else good comes of this, I suppose it might go some way to mending our relationship.
‘Natalia will be there as well, though, won’t she?’ Lina asks.
My gaze pivots to her. Her eyes are wide, filled with worry. She clearly is horribly confused. Still, I can almost feel Natalia’s presence, as if the ghost of her has come to haunt me, and a cold shiver runs through me.